Modules

Module Five    Qualitative Methods
Learning Objectives 

  Based on the text, describe the nature and primary purpose(s) of qualitative research. 

  Based on the text, state the general steps in qualitative research. 

  Based on the text and given the types: ethnographic, historical, grounded theory, and action research, compare and contrast these designs. 

  Based on the text, list the ways that qualitative research differs from quantitative research. 

  Given an empirical qualitative research article; identify the participant(s), setting, data collection, type (thnographic, historical, grounded theory, and action research), research question, findings, and conclusions reached. 

  Given an empirical qualitative research article, evaluate the strength of the research design (include any areas of weakness; i.e., credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, authenticity).  

Qualitative Research 
What do qualitative researchers do? 
Differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Methods 
Why do qualitative research? 
Some types of qualitative research 
 

 Click here to access additional Module 5 Notes.

Remember to be looking for empirical research articles related to your research question. You should have found at least one by now.

On-line Activities 

Readings 
Read Chapters 6 (Characteristics of Qualitative Research) and 7 (Qualitative Research: Data Collection)

Chapter 8 (Qualitative Research: Data Analysis) is also strongly recommended

   Evaluating Qualitative Studies 

In groups, given the empirical qualitative research article, "Class Consciousness and Its Consequences: The Impact of an Elite Education on Mature Working Class Women" (see course packet) answer the following:  
  

a. What are the variables or constructs of interest?  

b. What might be a reasonable research question?

c. Identify this research as ethnography, historical, grounded theory, or action research. Justify your choice. 

d. Identify the procedures for data collection 

e. Identify the sampling procedure 

f. Identify the participants 

g. Identify the method of data reduction. (See Definitions in Module 4 Notes and pages 248-355, Qualitative Analytic Strategies, in your text).

h. Identify evidence of the credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, and authenticity, of the study. 

i. Identify the conclusions reached. Justify your choice.

j. Did this research emerge primarily from a post-positivist or post-modern philosophical base? Justify your choice. 

   Email your group work to Dr. McConney or to Dr. Abalos with the heading, "Evaluating Qualitative Studies." See course syllabus for date assignment is due.  

   Our Own Research 

Based on your research question presented in Module Two, as a group, describe your population, sample, and method of sampling. 
 

  Submit your work by posting it on the  WebBoard under the heading, "Research Project," See course syllabus for date assignment is due.

Please note: this WebBoard link is for Dr. McConney's section only.

Dr. Abalos' students please open another window in your browser, and log on to http://onyx.fgcu.edu/~134 
 

Special Assignment for Group 6 ONLY

Outline Chapter 10 (Survey Research)

Post outline to appropriate conference on WebBoard

Please note: this WebBoard link is for Dr. McConney's section only.

Dr. Abalos' students please open another window in your browser, and log on to http://onyx.fgcu.edu/~134