Research Methodologies: A Quantitative and Qualitative Approach
Methodological Considerations
The skeleton of a research project provides both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. It’s crucial to remember that a joint strategy isn’t inherently superior to other strategies. While it’s a valuable approach, a robust investigation benefits from employing various techniques. The validity of research lies in its methodological flexibility, allowing for an open construction of the research object. This flexibility demands a panoramic understanding of the diverse
Read MoreQualitative Interview Sampling: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Selecting participants for qualitative interviews involves careful consideration of sampling methods. Unlike quantitative research, which relies on probability sampling for representativeness, qualitative research aims to gather in-depth insights from specific individuals. Open interviews help achieve this by exploring diverse perspectives and experiences.
Designing the Sample
Researchers begin by developing a theoretical design of the interviewees, aiming to reflect relevant social sectors.
Read MoreIn-depth Interviews: Advantages, Disadvantages, and Analysis
In-depth Interviews
Advantages and Disadvantages
As noted, sample design can change during fieldwork. The analysis of in-depth interviews starts with an initial review. Here’s some general information about the process:
Advantages:
- Immediacy: Applying the questionnaire (45+ minutes) to probability sampling makes it more time-consuming and costly than other methods.
- Access to Information: Compared to systematic observation, in-depth interviews allow access to information not easily accessible without
In-depth Interviews in Qualitative Research
Understanding Social Reality Through Interviews
6. Tactics of Clarification
It is sometimes necessary to ask the interviewee to clarify a point, especially when other tactics have failed. This can be done by asking for a chronological account or by asking direct questions such as “Why did you believe…?”, “What happened between … and …?”, or “What led you to make that decision?”.
7. Tactical Change of Subject
This tactic should be avoided and is usually the result of a lack of expertise from the
Read MoreIn-Depth Interviews in Social Research: A Qualitative Approach
Journalism vs. Social Research
Journalism and social research differ in their approach to interviews. Journalistic interviews often have a specific target, are cyclical, and anecdotal, seeking information for headlines. Social research interviews, however, aim to construct the social meaning of a behavior or event from a structural perspective. Journalistic practices can sometimes interfere with social research. Respondents interviewed by journalists may refuse to participate in subsequent social
Read MoreUnderstanding Pathological Problems and Therapy
Understanding Pathological Problems
Criteria for Pathological Problems
Characteristic Criterion
Psychological factors define an individual. A normal distribution in the reference population is considered. Throughout, emotion and thinking separate from what is considered the normal condition. Thus, we can distinguish a person with emotional stability from a neurotic individual or someone with high capacity from someone with low capacity. However, this criterion is not valid if we consider that all
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