This essential study resource features 450 comprehensive multiple-choice
questions on qualitative research methodology. Covering paradigms, coding
(Grounded Theory), interviewing, and quality criteria (Trustworthiness), each
entry includes the correct answer in bold italics and a detailed rationale. Ideal for
social science, nursing, and psychology students preparing for exams or thesis
work.
1. What is the primary goal of qualitative research?
o A. To test a specific hypothesis using numerical data.
o B. To understand the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social problem.
o Rationale: Qualitative research focuses on "Verstehen" (understanding) the subjective
experiences and perspectives of participants.
2. Which epistemological stance assumes that reality is multiple and socially constructed?
o A. Positivism.
o B. Constructivism / Interpretivism.
o Rationale: Constructivists believe there is no single objective truth; instead, truth is
created through human interaction and interpretation.
3. Which approach involves moving from specific observations to broader generalizations
and theories?
o A. Inductive reasoning.
o Rationale: Qualitative research is typically inductive, meaning it builds theory from the
ground up based on the data collected.
4. A researcher wants to study the shared culture of a group of nurses in an ICU. Which
design is most appropriate?
o A. Phenomenology.
o B. Ethnography.
o Rationale: Ethnography focuses on describing and interpreting the shared patterns of
values, behaviors, and beliefs of a culture-sharing group.
5. Which design focuses on the "lived experience" of individuals regarding a specific
phenomenon?
o A. Phenomenology.
o Rationale: Phenomenology seeks to describe the "essence" of a human experience
(e.g., the experience of chronic pain).
Section 2: Data Collection Methods
6. What is the main advantage of a semi-structured interview?
o A. It allows for statistical comparison between participants.
o B. It provides a guide but allows the researcher to probe and follow new leads.
,o Rationale: Semi-structured interviews balance consistency (using a topic list) with the
flexibility to explore deep, unexpected insights.
7. In a focus group, what is the primary source of "added value" compared to individual
interviews?
o A. The interaction and discussion between participants.
o Rationale: The group dynamic allows participants to question, support, or disagree with
each other, uncovering social norms.
8. What is the role of a "Gatekeeper" in qualitative research?
o A. An individual who provides or denies access to a specific research site or
group.
o Rationale: Gaining trust from a gatekeeper is essential for accessing "hard-to-reach"
populations or closed institutions (like prisons).
9. Which type of observation involves the researcher becoming a functioning member of
the group being studied?
o A. Direct observation.
o B. Participant observation.
o Rationale: In participant observation, the researcher experiences the social world from
the "inside" while maintaining scientific records.
10. What is "Snowball Sampling"?
o A. A method where existing participants refer the researcher to other potential
participants.
o Rationale: This is highly effective for finding participants in hidden or marginalized
populations.
Section 3: Qualitative Data Analysis (Coding)
11. What is the first step in Grounded Theory analysis?
o A. Open Coding.
o Rationale: Open coding involves breaking down the data into discrete parts and
applying initial labels to concepts.
12. When a researcher uses a participant's exact words as a code, this is called:
o A. In Vivo Coding.
o Rationale: In vivo codes help preserve the original meaning and "voice" of the
participant in the analysis.
13. What is "Axial Coding"?
o A. The process of identifying relationships between categories and
subcategories.
o Rationale: Axial coding puts the data back together in new ways by making connections
between concepts.
14. When does a researcher reach "Theoretical Saturation"?
o A. When new data no longer provides new insights or themes.
o Rationale: Saturation is the point in data collection where the researcher has enough
information to fully support the emerging theory.
, 15. What is "Memoing" in qualitative analysis?
o A. Writing down the researcher's thoughts and ideas about the codes during the
process.
o Rationale: Memos are essential for tracking the evolution of the researcher’s theoretical
thinking.
Section 4: Quality & Trustworthiness
16. What is the qualitative equivalent of "Internal Validity"?
o A. Credibility.
o Rationale: Credibility ensures that the findings accurately represent the reality of the
participants.
17. Which technique involves sending the findings back to the participants to check for
accuracy?
o A. Member Checking.
o Rationale: This is a powerful way to ensure that the researcher's interpretation matches
the participants' intentions.
18. What is "Triangulation"?
o A. Using multiple sources, methods, or researchers to study a single
phenomenon.
o Rationale: Triangulation increases the validity of the study by cross-verifying findings
from different perspectives.
19. "Reflexivity" refers to:
o A. The researcher acknowledging their own biases and influence on the research.
o Rationale: Because the researcher is the "instrument" in qualitative research, they must
be transparent about how their background affects the study.
20. What is an "Audit Trail"?
o A. A transparent record of all research decisions and steps taken during the
study.
o Rationale: An audit trail allows others to follow the "logic" of the study, enhancing its
"Dependability."
Section 5: Mixed Topics & Higher Difficulty (21-50)
21. Bracketing is a technique used in which design? A. Phenomenology (to set aside
researcher assumptions).
22. Thick Description refers to: A. Detailed descriptions of the context and intentions
behind behaviors.
23. Purposive Sampling means: A. Selecting participants based on their rich
knowledge of the topic.
questions on qualitative research methodology. Covering paradigms, coding
(Grounded Theory), interviewing, and quality criteria (Trustworthiness), each
entry includes the correct answer in bold italics and a detailed rationale. Ideal for
social science, nursing, and psychology students preparing for exams or thesis
work.
1. What is the primary goal of qualitative research?
o A. To test a specific hypothesis using numerical data.
o B. To understand the meaning individuals or groups ascribe to a social problem.
o Rationale: Qualitative research focuses on "Verstehen" (understanding) the subjective
experiences and perspectives of participants.
2. Which epistemological stance assumes that reality is multiple and socially constructed?
o A. Positivism.
o B. Constructivism / Interpretivism.
o Rationale: Constructivists believe there is no single objective truth; instead, truth is
created through human interaction and interpretation.
3. Which approach involves moving from specific observations to broader generalizations
and theories?
o A. Inductive reasoning.
o Rationale: Qualitative research is typically inductive, meaning it builds theory from the
ground up based on the data collected.
4. A researcher wants to study the shared culture of a group of nurses in an ICU. Which
design is most appropriate?
o A. Phenomenology.
o B. Ethnography.
o Rationale: Ethnography focuses on describing and interpreting the shared patterns of
values, behaviors, and beliefs of a culture-sharing group.
5. Which design focuses on the "lived experience" of individuals regarding a specific
phenomenon?
o A. Phenomenology.
o Rationale: Phenomenology seeks to describe the "essence" of a human experience
(e.g., the experience of chronic pain).
Section 2: Data Collection Methods
6. What is the main advantage of a semi-structured interview?
o A. It allows for statistical comparison between participants.
o B. It provides a guide but allows the researcher to probe and follow new leads.
,o Rationale: Semi-structured interviews balance consistency (using a topic list) with the
flexibility to explore deep, unexpected insights.
7. In a focus group, what is the primary source of "added value" compared to individual
interviews?
o A. The interaction and discussion between participants.
o Rationale: The group dynamic allows participants to question, support, or disagree with
each other, uncovering social norms.
8. What is the role of a "Gatekeeper" in qualitative research?
o A. An individual who provides or denies access to a specific research site or
group.
o Rationale: Gaining trust from a gatekeeper is essential for accessing "hard-to-reach"
populations or closed institutions (like prisons).
9. Which type of observation involves the researcher becoming a functioning member of
the group being studied?
o A. Direct observation.
o B. Participant observation.
o Rationale: In participant observation, the researcher experiences the social world from
the "inside" while maintaining scientific records.
10. What is "Snowball Sampling"?
o A. A method where existing participants refer the researcher to other potential
participants.
o Rationale: This is highly effective for finding participants in hidden or marginalized
populations.
Section 3: Qualitative Data Analysis (Coding)
11. What is the first step in Grounded Theory analysis?
o A. Open Coding.
o Rationale: Open coding involves breaking down the data into discrete parts and
applying initial labels to concepts.
12. When a researcher uses a participant's exact words as a code, this is called:
o A. In Vivo Coding.
o Rationale: In vivo codes help preserve the original meaning and "voice" of the
participant in the analysis.
13. What is "Axial Coding"?
o A. The process of identifying relationships between categories and
subcategories.
o Rationale: Axial coding puts the data back together in new ways by making connections
between concepts.
14. When does a researcher reach "Theoretical Saturation"?
o A. When new data no longer provides new insights or themes.
o Rationale: Saturation is the point in data collection where the researcher has enough
information to fully support the emerging theory.
, 15. What is "Memoing" in qualitative analysis?
o A. Writing down the researcher's thoughts and ideas about the codes during the
process.
o Rationale: Memos are essential for tracking the evolution of the researcher’s theoretical
thinking.
Section 4: Quality & Trustworthiness
16. What is the qualitative equivalent of "Internal Validity"?
o A. Credibility.
o Rationale: Credibility ensures that the findings accurately represent the reality of the
participants.
17. Which technique involves sending the findings back to the participants to check for
accuracy?
o A. Member Checking.
o Rationale: This is a powerful way to ensure that the researcher's interpretation matches
the participants' intentions.
18. What is "Triangulation"?
o A. Using multiple sources, methods, or researchers to study a single
phenomenon.
o Rationale: Triangulation increases the validity of the study by cross-verifying findings
from different perspectives.
19. "Reflexivity" refers to:
o A. The researcher acknowledging their own biases and influence on the research.
o Rationale: Because the researcher is the "instrument" in qualitative research, they must
be transparent about how their background affects the study.
20. What is an "Audit Trail"?
o A. A transparent record of all research decisions and steps taken during the
study.
o Rationale: An audit trail allows others to follow the "logic" of the study, enhancing its
"Dependability."
Section 5: Mixed Topics & Higher Difficulty (21-50)
21. Bracketing is a technique used in which design? A. Phenomenology (to set aside
researcher assumptions).
22. Thick Description refers to: A. Detailed descriptions of the context and intentions
behind behaviors.
23. Purposive Sampling means: A. Selecting participants based on their rich
knowledge of the topic.
