In which type of qualitative research do the researchers intend to generate a theory that is based on data?

In which type of qualitative research do the researchers intend to generate a theory that is based on data?

Qualitative vs Quantitative Research:  Why it Matters


The research supporting many popular reading programs is problematic because it is based on qualitative research.

  • Qualitative research uses the subjective measure of observations which is not based on structured and validated data-collection.
  • Study groups are not randomly selected, nor are they controlled for variables.
  • Qualitative research is bottom up research: it generates a theory based on the data collected rather than testing a theory with the data.
  • Qualitative research is not double-blind, and allows bias into the research:  this alone invalidates an entire study and makes it worthless.

Criteria

Qualitative

Quantitative

Purpose
  • To understand and interpret social interactions
  • Test hypotheses
  • Look at cause and effect
  • Make predictions
Group Studied
  • Smaller
  • Not randomly selected
  • Larger
  • Randomly selected
Variables
  • Study of the whole, not variables.
  • Specific variables studied
Type of Data Collected
  • Words
  • Images
  • Objects
  • Numbers
  • Statistics
Form of Data Collected Qualitative data such as:
  • open- ended responses
  • interviews
  • participant observations
  • field notes
  • reflections
 Quantitative data based on:
  • precise measurements
  • using structured validated data-collection instruments
Type of Data Analysis Identify
  • patterns
  • features
  • themes
Identify
  • statistical relationships
Objectivity and Subjectivity
  • Subjectivity is expected
  • Objectivity is critical
Role of Researcher
  • Researcher & their biases may be known to participants in the study
  • Participant characteristics may be known to the researcher
  • Researcher and their biases are not known to participants in the study
  • Participant characteristics are deliberately hidden from the research (double blind studies)
Results
  • Particular or specialized findings that is less generalizable
  •  Generalizable findings that can be applied to other populations
Scientific Method Exploratory or bottom–up:
  • the researcher generates a new hypothesis and theory from the data collected
 Confirmatory or top-down:
  • the researcher tests the hypothesis and theory with the data
View of Human Behavior
  • Dynamic
  • Situational
  • Social
  • Personal
  • Regular
  • Predictable
Most Common Research Objectives
  • Explore
  • Discover
  • Construct
  • Describe
  • Explain
  • Predict
Focus
  • Wide-angle lens
  • Examines the breadth and depth of phenomena
  • Narrow-angle lens
  • Tests a specific hypothesis
Nature of Observation
  •  Study behavior in a natural environment.
  • Study behavior under controlled conditions
  • Isolate causal effects
Nature of Reality
  • Multiple realities
  • Subjective
  • Single reality
  • Objective
 Final Report
  • Narrative report with contextual description
  • Direct quotations from research participants
 Statistical report with
  • correlations
  • comparisons of means
  • statistical significance of findings

The content in the above table was taken directly from an Xavier University Library publication using the following sources:

  • Johnson, B., & Christensen, L. (2008). Educational research: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed approaches (p. 34). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  • Lichtman, M. (2006). Qualitative research in education: A user’s guide (pp. 7-8). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.


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In which type of qualitative research do the researchers intend to generate a theory that based on data systematically gathered and analyzed?

Grounded theory is a systematic procedure of data analysis, typically associated with qualitative research, that allows researchers to develop a theory that explains a specific phenomenon.

Which type of qualitative research could be used to generate theory based on the data collected about a particular phenomenon?

Grounded theory is a qualitative method that enables you to study a particular phenomenon or process and discover new theories that are based on the collection and analysis of real world data.

What type of qualitative research is theory development?

Grounded theory is a qualitative research approach developed by two sociologists, Glaser and Strauss (1967). Grounded theory studies are studies in which data are collected and analyzed and then a theory is developed that is grounded in the data.

What approach is the use of a theory in qualitative research?

There are two ways in which qualitative researchers think about using theory: (1) as a way of theorizing the project or study as a whole; the general theoretical lens through which the researcher approaches the topic, study and study design, methodology and method; and (2) as a way of analyzing and interpreting the ...