Qualitative Methods
Sample of Comprehensive Exam Concepts and Questions:
Concepts List
Ontological Perspectives
Deductive versus Inductive
Subjectivity and field research
Objectivity and field research
Intersubjectivity and field research
Ethics of field research
Theoretical Traditions in Qualitative Research
Phenomenology
Heuristic Inquiry
Ethnomethodology
Symbolic Interaction
Hermeneutics
Narrative Analysis
Grounded Theory (as method)
Social Constructionism
Feminist
Data Collection: Various Types
Critical Ethnography
Discourse analysis versus critical discourse
Content Analysis
Oral Histories
Documents
Oral histories
Interviews
Focus groups
Fieldnotes
Ethnography
Auto-ethnography
Participant observation
Research Design
Units of Analysis
Variable
Researcher roles
Observation
Participant as observer
Observer as Participant
Sampling Issues
Types of Samples
Techniques
Interviewing
Styles (conversation, semi-structured, structured)
Question types (e.g., descriptive, grand tour, structural, contrast, etc.)
Gaining entry
Team versus Individual
Self disclosure and rapport building
Observational techniques - variations
Saturation of observations
Fieldnotes
Organizing and Indexing Qualitative Data
Field note excerpts: transforming data into narrative
Use of visual methods and documents
Use of software
Coding schemes: a-priori versus data specific
Reducing problems in coding
Initial versus focused coding
Axial, Selective, and Theoretical coding
Memo writing
Theoretical saturation
Diagramming and integrating data into reports
Description versus analysis
Evaluating Qualitative Works
Issues of validity and reliability
Member checks
Negative cases
Selectivity bias
Triangulation – varieties of sources, methods, investigators, theories.
Sample of Short Answer Questions
1. Drawing from your readings, what are the various observational techniques used by qualitative sociologists?
2. Discuss three advantages of field research and three disadvantages. Use your readings to back up your arguments.
3. Define and contrast the following: indigenous meanings versus exogenous meanings. How do field researchers attend to both?
Sample of Essay Questions
1. What are the main circumstances (i.e., the questions raised at the data level) that cause the difference in qualitative and quantitative epistemologies. It was these differences that prompted Howard Becker to say he was more concerned about “practical epistemology” than “dogma” when it comes to qualitative and quantitative differences.
2. Norman Denzin states that triangulation can come in several ways. Identify each type and describe in detail their applicability to enhanced credibility. Are some more feasible than others for qualitative projects?
3. While most researchers believe that good sociological studies will incorporate both qualitative and quantitative methods into their practices, each methodological approach provide very different types of information. Using your knowledge and understanding of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, address the following questions:
a. What are the general differences between qualitative and quantitative research methods? Make sure you outline the major goals of both.
b. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
c. How do they compliment one another?
Selected Useful Readings for Qualitative Methods
Adler and Adler, 1990. “Observational Techniques” in Handbook of Qualitative Research (1st Edition). Denzin and Lincoln (ed). Pp.377-391.
Becker, Howard. 2003. “The Epistemology of Qualitative Research” in Contemporary Field Research : Perspectives and Formulations. Robert Emerson (ed.) Pp.317-334. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.
Charmaz, Kathy 2006. Constructing Grounded Theory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
2003. “Grounded Theory “in Contemporary Field Research : Perspectives and Formulations. Robert Emerson (ed.) Pp.335-352. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.
Emerson, Robert, Rachel Fretz, and Linda Shaw. 1995. Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes. Chicago: University and Chicago Press.
Lincoln, Yvonna and Egon Guba. 1984. “Establishing Trustworthiness” Chapter 11 in Naturalistic Inquiry. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Lofland and Lofland. 1995. Analyzing Social Settings (3rd edition) Bellmont CA: Wadsworth. (2006 version includes Snow and Anderson)
Mason, Jennifer. 2002. Qualitative Researching (2nd Edition). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Patton, Michael. 2002. 3rd edition. Qualitative Methods and Evaluation Research. Pp. 230 – 248. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Wolcott, Harry. 2001. Writing Up Qualitative Research Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.