RS: Research Interview
Inhoud
Lecture 1: Introduction...........................................................................................................................2
Lecture 2: Writing good research questions...........................................................................................4
Lecture 3: Conducting & transcribing interviews....................................................................................8
Lecture 5: Qualitative analysis and coding............................................................................................11
Lecture 6: Reporting.............................................................................................................................14
,Lecture 1: Introduction
The qualitative worldview
Positivist quantitative
o There is a world out there that exists on its own
o We just need to figure out how to capture the big picture
o We can do this successfully with more data and better techniques
o And communicating our ideas to each other in a consistent way
o Qualitative research largely builds on a positivist understanding of the world
There is a world that is directly observable (like an elephant)
We use the scientific method to document objective observations and
better understand that world
Preference is for explaining social behavior through objective
measurement and statistical techniques
Interpretive/constructivist qualitative
o We all see the world different
o People’s own feelings/motivations
o In their own words
o There is a world out there to understand together
o We see the world through some kind of lens: our self and society and culture
provide this
o What we can do is try to understand how what we see, is shaped by the lens
we are looking through
o And communicate our ideas consistently while embracing multiple
perspectives
o Qualitative research fits well with (but does not require) an interpretive or
constructivist understanding of the world
Observations of the world are inherently view-points
We all see the world through a slightly different lens: there is no
objective view from nowhere
We are constantly constructing the meaning of our world (largely
through language)
Approaching the world qualitatively
Motivations/meanings/perceptions of loneliness
Motivations, feelings, events and behaviors as people themselves experience them
To the extent possible, in their own words
o Through we as researchers will ultimately analyze and make sense of them for
other scholars
What things mean to people is just as important as what we can measure about
those things (or predict)
Qualitative findings (meaning, motivation, experience)
o Are necessary on their own (not all or most human experience can be
objectively measured)
o Can also contribute to quantitative science (e.g. helping us better measure
and model human experience)
, The takeaways: be aware of the worldview that your approach reflect (including a
mixture)
Practically: does the object or goal of the study (the thing you identify in the research
question) align with methodology?
Develop a research question
Thema: Digital communication and well-being
Among individuals, groups, organizations, societies
Background research: gather some sensitizing concepts to help further develop your
RQ
As you think about a topic area, which concepts or hypotheses or findings come to
mind from research you have read?
These can become sources for you literature overview, but also tools for thinking
(maybe you discard them as your ideas shift or interviews show something new)
Sensitizing concept
o Concepts from previous research that help guide the development of your RQ,
your research design and analysis
o These are not theories or hypotheses to test. They are tools for finding a
question and interpreting what you learn
Not testing theories
But gather other concepts from literature
No hypotheses
Sensitizing concepts
The takeaway:
As you develop your research question
Move between your own inspiration
And previous literature and concepts that come to mind
As well as from fresh literature searches (sometimes you need to just restock your
store of sensitizing concepts)
But, remain flexible to be guided by previous concepts, rather than try to test a
theory
Grounded in previous knowledge, feel free to use research interviews to explore
Optional exercise: write a research question for this source. Guiding frameworks/ideas
Inhoud
Lecture 1: Introduction...........................................................................................................................2
Lecture 2: Writing good research questions...........................................................................................4
Lecture 3: Conducting & transcribing interviews....................................................................................8
Lecture 5: Qualitative analysis and coding............................................................................................11
Lecture 6: Reporting.............................................................................................................................14
,Lecture 1: Introduction
The qualitative worldview
Positivist quantitative
o There is a world out there that exists on its own
o We just need to figure out how to capture the big picture
o We can do this successfully with more data and better techniques
o And communicating our ideas to each other in a consistent way
o Qualitative research largely builds on a positivist understanding of the world
There is a world that is directly observable (like an elephant)
We use the scientific method to document objective observations and
better understand that world
Preference is for explaining social behavior through objective
measurement and statistical techniques
Interpretive/constructivist qualitative
o We all see the world different
o People’s own feelings/motivations
o In their own words
o There is a world out there to understand together
o We see the world through some kind of lens: our self and society and culture
provide this
o What we can do is try to understand how what we see, is shaped by the lens
we are looking through
o And communicate our ideas consistently while embracing multiple
perspectives
o Qualitative research fits well with (but does not require) an interpretive or
constructivist understanding of the world
Observations of the world are inherently view-points
We all see the world through a slightly different lens: there is no
objective view from nowhere
We are constantly constructing the meaning of our world (largely
through language)
Approaching the world qualitatively
Motivations/meanings/perceptions of loneliness
Motivations, feelings, events and behaviors as people themselves experience them
To the extent possible, in their own words
o Through we as researchers will ultimately analyze and make sense of them for
other scholars
What things mean to people is just as important as what we can measure about
those things (or predict)
Qualitative findings (meaning, motivation, experience)
o Are necessary on their own (not all or most human experience can be
objectively measured)
o Can also contribute to quantitative science (e.g. helping us better measure
and model human experience)
, The takeaways: be aware of the worldview that your approach reflect (including a
mixture)
Practically: does the object or goal of the study (the thing you identify in the research
question) align with methodology?
Develop a research question
Thema: Digital communication and well-being
Among individuals, groups, organizations, societies
Background research: gather some sensitizing concepts to help further develop your
RQ
As you think about a topic area, which concepts or hypotheses or findings come to
mind from research you have read?
These can become sources for you literature overview, but also tools for thinking
(maybe you discard them as your ideas shift or interviews show something new)
Sensitizing concept
o Concepts from previous research that help guide the development of your RQ,
your research design and analysis
o These are not theories or hypotheses to test. They are tools for finding a
question and interpreting what you learn
Not testing theories
But gather other concepts from literature
No hypotheses
Sensitizing concepts
The takeaway:
As you develop your research question
Move between your own inspiration
And previous literature and concepts that come to mind
As well as from fresh literature searches (sometimes you need to just restock your
store of sensitizing concepts)
But, remain flexible to be guided by previous concepts, rather than try to test a
theory
Grounded in previous knowledge, feel free to use research interviews to explore
Optional exercise: write a research question for this source. Guiding frameworks/ideas
