Paper 3 IB Psych

Quantitative datarelating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality
Qualitative data relating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity

Strengths of qualitative data:
Qualitative research provides more insight into the sampled data, as their open ended nature mean they are less limiting of the information provided; they also eliminate the a priori assumptions used in quantitative data

Limitations of qualitative data:
Qualitative data cannot be directly and mathematically compared, and thus comparisons are only nominal and subjective

Ability to generalise results from qualitative studies:
Because qualitative data is normally interpretative, their results cannot be easily generalized

Ethical considerations:
Some participants may not be comfortable with being on record for their qualitative statements, or may be recognizable, and thus recording qualitative may impede on the participants’ confidentiality

Appropriate sampling techniques:

* Interviews

* Observations

* Open-ended surveys

Effects of participant expectations and researcher bias in qualitative research:
They may impose demand characteristics upon otherwise qualitative data

Importance of credibility in qualitative research:
As qualitative research is not quantitative and very subjective, great care must be taken to ensure that recorded data credibly reflects the observer's thoughts

Effect of triangulation on the credibility/trustworthiness of qualitative research:
Triangulation adds another level of interpretation and subjectivity to qualitative research, and thus impedes on credibility and trustworthiness

Reflexibility in qualitative research:
It is difficult to determine a mathematical reflexive relationship because the data is qualitative

Interviews
Semi-structured interviewsA list of themes is provided to guide the interview