Introduction to Qualitative

Research
Sal
EDUC 8122 a am
!

Dr Nirmala Narayan, Ph.D.

Sevinj Mammadova
The George Washington
University
E READER CONTEXT OF THE CLASSROOM SETTING AND THE
OBSERVATIONS TO
GENERATE INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS
Why do we conduct research?

Answer: To obtain KNOWLEDGE

POLICY, PEOPLE, BEHAVIORS,

PRACTICES, ATTITUDES
 KNOWLEDGE

HOW DO WE DEFINE, IDENTIFY AND

GATHER KNOWLEDGE?

ONTOLOGY, EPISTEMOLOGY &

AXIOLOGY
Ontology What is the nature Reality is The researcher reports
What is of multiple as seen different perspectives
Real? reality? through many as themes develop in
views. the findings.
Epistemolo What counts as Subjective The researcher relies
gy knowledge? How evidence is on quotes as evidence
What is are knowledge obtained from from the participant as
True? claims Justified? participants; the well as collaborates,
What is the researcher spends time in field
relationship attempts to lessen with participants, and
between the the distance becomes an “insider.”
researcher and between himself
that or herself and
being researched? that being
researched.
Axiology What is the role of The researcher The researcher openly
10
The Use of
Direct Quotes
 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KEY TERMS
Epistemology: the theory of knowledge –
Theories used in the study is influenced by
this (How weperspective:
Theoretical know what The we know)
theories
chosen for the study to explain the
behavior/experiences we are
interested in (how we look at the
world and make meaning)
Methodology: The best design that
informs the research questions that
heoretical Framework
informs
Conceptual Framework RESEARCH
QUESTION
#2

RESEARCH QUESTION #1 infor Data Collection Metho

ms
 Epistemology & assumptions
Epistemology: Ways of knowing and learning about the world
What does this knowledge look like?

OBJECTIVITY: Knowledge exists whether we are conscious of

it or not.
CONSTRUCTIONIST: We come to “know” through our
interactions.
SUBJECTIVITY: Everyone has a different understanding of
what we know.
OBJECTIVITY:
Find causes, effects, and explanations.
Try to predict events and test theories and hypotheses.
CONSTRUCTIONIST:
Experiences as a source of knowledge.
How a person understands the world around them
depends upon their experiences, both past and present
SUBJECTIVITY:
Everyone has a different understanding of what we know.
(Crotty, 1998).
 Induction vs Deduction
INDUCTION: ‘BOTTOM UP’
Observations of the world (Data) -> patterns in the Data
-> Theories (Knowledge) generated from the patterns

DEDUCTIONS: ‘TOP DOWN’

Begin with a theory -> generate hypotheses -> collect
data -> confirm or reject hypotheses -> strengthen or
weaken theory.
 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKS
EXISTING KNOWLEDGE +
RESEARCHER’S EPISTEMOLOGY +
LENS FOR ANALYSIS OF DATA

THEORY -> METHODOLOGY +

EPISTEMOLOGICAL PARADIGMS
 Interpretive FRAMEWORKS
A map for qualitative exploration
• Previous research or existing theories or literature, helps focus on the
phenomenon of interest
• Researcher’s epistemology
• Theory has Explanatory Power Helps the researcher make sense of
the data we collect (Analysis of Data)

EXISTING KNOWLEDGE + RESEARCHER’S EPISTEMOLOGY +

LENS FOR ANALYSIS OF DATA
THEORY -> METHODOLOGY + EPISTEMOLOGICAL PARADIGMS
 Research Paradigms
PARADIGMS: Belief systems, world views, frameworks
that guides research and practice in the field.
POSTPOSITIVISM, INTERPRETIVISM, CRITICAL
THEORY
POSTPOSITIVISM: Research to find universals, uses
scientific methods (objective data) to test theory.
Theory -> Construct Hypothesis to test theory ->
Collect data (numerical data ) -> Analyze data
(statistical methods) to test theory
 Research Paradigms
INTERPRETIVISM: Most common paradigm in
Qualitative Research. Believes that social reality is
multiple and socially constructed. Researcher and
participant construct meaning in social contexts
Previous research or existing theories or literature,
helps focus on the phenomenon of interest +
Researcher’s epistemology -> Theory has
Explanatory Power Helps the researcher make
sense of the data we collect (Analysis of Data)
CRITICAL THEORY
Research focuses on Power, Inequality and Social
Change.
Research focuses on understanding specific issues
or topics. The problems and the research questions
explored aim to allow the researcher an
understanding of specific issues or topics—the
conditions that serve to disadvantage and exclude
individuals or cultures, such as hierarchy,
hegemony, racism, sexism, unequal power relations,
Researchers are respectful co-constructors of
knowledge. Ethical practices of the researchers
recognize the importance of the subjectivity of their
own lens, acknowledge the powerful position they
have in the research, and admit that the participants
or the co-construction of the account between the
researchers and the participants are the true owners
of the information collected.

Research is reported in diverse formats and calls for