18 Desember 2024

Summary

This video script provides an in-depth exploration of how to formulate research questions and understand the role of theory in qualitative research. It highlights the importance of identifying research gaps, articulating clear and relevant questions, and choosing between descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory approaches. Additionally, it contrasts the use of theory in qualitative and quantitative research, emphasizing how theory is developed inductively through the research process, rather than being tested. The script underscores the significance of understanding the phenomenon and developing theories based on observed data to deepen insights in qualitative studies.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research questions in qualitative research arise from the gap between theory (what should happen) and reality (what is actually happening).
• 😀 Descriptive research questions aim to describe phenomena as they are, focusing on 'what' exists without delving into explanations.
• 😀 Exploratory research questions seek to understand phenomena in depth, exploring processes and contexts, often with 'how' or 'why' questions.
• 😀 Explanatory research questions aim to explain relationships or patterns, often examining cause-and-effect (more common in quantitative research).
• 😀 Theory in qualitative research serves to interpret and explain data, not to test hypotheses, leading to the development of new theories.
• 😀 According to Thomas Kuhn, theory shapes all observations, meaning that prior knowledge influences how phenomena are understood and interpreted.
• 😀 In qualitative research, theory is flexible and subjective, often evolving based on new data and insights from the field.
• 😀 Research problems should be grounded in real-world phenomena, with sufficient data to address the identified gaps.
• 😀 Theory plays a central role in guiding the research process, helping the researcher understand and interpret data, while potentially developing new theoretical perspectives.
• 😀 Qualitative research emphasizes understanding the 'why' and 'how' of phenomena in context, rather than focusing on cause-and-effect relationships typical of quantitative studies.
• 😀 The development of a research question and theory should align with the study's scope, available data, and the researcher’s expertise.

Q & A

What is the focus of the current session discussed in the script?

The focus of the current session is to explain how to formulate research questions and the role of theory in qualitative research.

What should be covered in the background section of a research paper?

In the background section, the research should highlight the gap between what should happen based on theory and what is actually happening in practice. This gap represents the problem being addressed in the research.

How is the gap between theory and practice identified in the research background?

The gap is identified by comparing theoretical expectations (what should happen) with actual observations (what is happening) in the research context.

What are the key criteria for a research problem to be considered valid?

The research problem must meet several criteria: data or information must be available to address it, it should be original (not previously studied), it must contribute theoretically, and it should be feasible within the constraints of time, resources, and the researcher's expertise.

What is the importance of understanding the social context in qualitative research?

Understanding the social context is crucial because it helps the researcher to explain how the social conditions surrounding the research phenomenon may influence or shape the outcomes of the study.

What are the three types of research questions in qualitative research?

The three types of research questions in qualitative research are: descriptive questions (to describe phenomena), exploratory questions (to understand phenomena deeply), and explanatory questions (to explain patterns or relationships between variables).

How does descriptive research differ from exploratory research?

Descriptive research focuses on simply describing phenomena as they are, without deeper analysis, while exploratory research aims to understand the underlying processes and dynamics of the phenomena in greater depth.

Why is the theory considered important in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, theory is important because it helps to provide a framework for understanding the phenomena being studied, guiding the interpretation of data and potentially leading to the development of new theories.

How does qualitative research use theory differently from quantitative research?

In qualitative research, theory is often developed or refined based on observations and data collected from the field, whereas in quantitative research, theory is tested or verified through hypothesis testing and statistical analysis.

What role does the researcher’s experience and previous knowledge play in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, the researcher’s prior experiences, knowledge, and perspectives significantly influence how they interpret and understand the phenomena being studied. This subjective involvement is an inherent part of the research process.