Framing Qualitative Research

Summary

In this lecture, Assistant Professor Sampriti Dance from Christo's Anti College Bengaluru delves into the training of qualitative research, emphasizing the framing process. She discusses the importance of paradigms, theories, methodologies, and evaluations in planning research. Key concepts like ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology are explored, highlighting the researcher's role as a tool in qualitative research. The lecture also touches on the iterative process of reflection and reflexivity, the significance of the problem statement, and the evaluation of qualitative data through criteria like trustworthiness and credibility.

Takeaways

• 📚 Framing is a comprehensive process in research that involves planning based on paradigms, theories, methodologies, and evaluations.
• 🔍 The researcher plays a pivotal role in framing, acting as a tool in qualitative research, and is involved in iterative and reflective processes.
• 🎯 Ontology and epistemology are the philosophical foundations that guide research, influencing how reality and knowledge are perceived and studied.
• 🧩 Axiology considers the impact of the researcher's values and beliefs on the research process, emphasizing the importance of researcher's subjectivity.
• 🛠 Methodology is the approach taken to explore knowledge, and it is crucial for the researcher to choose the appropriate methodology that aligns with the research purpose and objectives.
• 🤔 Reflection and reflexivity are essential for researchers to consider their biases and assumptions, ensuring a more objective and authentic data collection and analysis.
• 📝 The problem statement is a refined definition of the research's central theme, providing direction for the study and justifying its significance.
• 🔄 Transferability in qualitative research refers to the applicability of results to other settings with similar characteristics, as opposed to generalization in quantitative research.
• 📈 Evaluative criteria such as trustworthiness, credibility, and confirmability are used to ensure the quality of qualitative research, rather than relying on statistical measures.
• 📖 The lecture encourages researchers, especially novices, to explore various methodologies and evaluative criteria to confidently frame and conduct their research.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture by Sampriti Dance?

The main focus of the lecture is on the training of qualitative research, specifically on how to frame qualitative research. It covers the general idea of framing, which is applicable to both quantitative and qualitative research, with an emphasis on the latter.

What does the term 'framing' refer to in the context of research?

In the context of research, 'framing' refers to the entire process that involves the researcher in planning the entire research before it begins. It includes deciding on paradigms, theories, methodologies, and evaluations that are appropriate for the research.

What is the role of the researcher in the framing process?

The researcher plays a crucial role in the framing process by being involved in an iterative and reflective process. They are responsible for deciding on the paradigms, theories, area of study, purpose, objectives, and methodologies. They also engage in reflection and reflexivity to ensure the research is conducted with clarity and without biases.

What are the important concepts related to framing research that a researcher should understand?

Important concepts related to framing research include ontology, epistemology, axiology, and methodology. These philosophical backbones guide the research process and influence how the researcher approaches the study.

How does the researcher's background and values influence the research process?

The researcher's background and values, as part of axiology, can influence the research process by shaping their perceptions and interpretations of the data. It is important for researchers to be aware of their biases and how they might affect data collection and analysis.

What is the significance of the researcher being a 'tool' in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, the researcher is considered a 'tool' because the data is recorded through the researcher's medium. This means that the researcher's personal biases and attitudes can affect the data collection and interpretation, emphasizing the need for reflection and reflexivity.

What is the purpose of the 'five question method' mentioned in the lecture?

The 'five question method' is a strategy to help researchers, especially novices, choose an appropriate methodology for their qualitative research. It guides them through defining the purpose, objective, and tradition of qualitative research that best fits their study.

How does the concept of 'transferability' apply to qualitative research?

In qualitative research, 'transferability' refers to the possibility of applying the results from one study to another setting, provided that both settings share similar characteristics or features. It is a way to generalize the findings to some extent, unlike in quantitative research where generalization is broader.

What evaluative criteria are commonly used in qualitative research to ensure the trustworthiness of results?

Evaluative criteria used in qualitative research to ensure trustworthiness include trustworthiness, credibility, and confirmability. These criteria help in standardizing the analysis of data and providing clarity on how the results were obtained.

Why is it important for a researcher to decide on the evaluative criteria before starting the research?

Deciding on the evaluative criteria before starting the research is important because it helps the researcher to standardize the analysis of data and provide a clear explanation of how they arrived at their results. It also ensures the credibility and transferability of the findings.