Qualitative Methods
PSYC2006 RDA IIB
1 INTRODUCTION
Idiographic vs. Nomothetic Research
• Idiographic Research
o relates to the study or discovery of scientific facts and processes, as
distinct from general laws. Often contrasted with nomothetic.
o Seeks a deeper and more detailed understanding.
o Requires “thicker” descriptive data (qualitative). Smaller, more
manageable sample. Trade generality for depth.
• Nomothetic Research
o relates to the study or discovery of general scientific laws (as opposed to
dealing with things case-by-case. Often contrasted with idiographic.
o Seeks to predict future occurrences. Therefore, the researcher needs
larger sample sizes.
o Quantitative data is more suitable and manageable. Trade depth for
generality.
Qualitative research is the interpretative study of a specified issue or
problem in which the researcher is central to the sense that is made.
Qualitative psychology is part of a debate, not fixed truth. Qualitative
research is an attempt to capture the sense that lies within and that
structures what we say, an exploration, elaboration, and systematization of
the significance of an identified phenomenon.
Common Characteristics of Qualitative Research:
• Description
o A thorough, comprehensive description of the phenomena under study.
Includes the researcher's feelings and thoughts and what is objectively
seen.
• Context
o Research occurs in everyday contexts as opposed to laboratories.
o The researcher needs to immerse themselves into the environment.
(Ethnographic research)
1
,• Meaning
o Looks to create meaning. Searches for meaningful characterization of
social phenomena (describing, interpreting, and explaining human
behaviour).
o Involves taking the subject’s perspective.
o Meaning is meditated through language and actions and resides in social
practice.
o Social phenomena are concept dependent.
• Interpretation
o There are multiple realities and multiple ways these realities can be
understood. Representations of the world are always
mediated/interpreted.
o Qualitative research believes that interpretation is not what we do but
what we are.
o Surplus of meaning.
o This is why qualitative research doesn’t make assumptions, theories,
hypotheses, or causal conclusions.
• Truth
o A single account is not sufficient because it is governed by one’s
context/history.
o Since the researcher is interpreting the data, qualitative study is also
about the motivations and reflections of the researcher.
o Reflective. Fidelity.
• Process
o Meaning can change and evolve over time. Therefore, researchers need to
examine in a way that meaning is sustained.
o The researcher must continually revisit data, seeking clarification and
confirmation of understanding and nuances of meaning. Research is
cynical and non-linear.
o Theory emerges during investigation – Emergent design.
2
, 2 THE QUANTITATIVE-QUALITATIVE DIVIDE
2.1 THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• When psychology initially began, it followed the hypotheticodeductive model of
research (scientific method). It embraced the empirical testing of theories
(deductive logic) by quantitative methods – if the theory was proved incorrect it
was rejected; if correct, accepted as truth.
• However, the ‘scientific approach’ was not without its problems within
psychology such as ecological validity, ethical issues, volunteer characteristics,
language and understanding, etc.
The Three Methodological Horrors
• tend to revolve around the issues of context, meaning and interpretation. The gap
between reality and the way it is perceived/ captured/described, between objects
and their representations. This gap is unacknowledged by science.
• Qualitative methodology, on the other hand, makes a concerted effort to deal
with each of these issues and has built-in processes that acknowledge the
existence of the gap and attempt to bridge it.
• 1 = Indexicality
o The idea that explanations are always tied to occasions or uses and will
change with occasion (time) and context.
3
PSYC2006 RDA IIB
1 INTRODUCTION
Idiographic vs. Nomothetic Research
• Idiographic Research
o relates to the study or discovery of scientific facts and processes, as
distinct from general laws. Often contrasted with nomothetic.
o Seeks a deeper and more detailed understanding.
o Requires “thicker” descriptive data (qualitative). Smaller, more
manageable sample. Trade generality for depth.
• Nomothetic Research
o relates to the study or discovery of general scientific laws (as opposed to
dealing with things case-by-case. Often contrasted with idiographic.
o Seeks to predict future occurrences. Therefore, the researcher needs
larger sample sizes.
o Quantitative data is more suitable and manageable. Trade depth for
generality.
Qualitative research is the interpretative study of a specified issue or
problem in which the researcher is central to the sense that is made.
Qualitative psychology is part of a debate, not fixed truth. Qualitative
research is an attempt to capture the sense that lies within and that
structures what we say, an exploration, elaboration, and systematization of
the significance of an identified phenomenon.
Common Characteristics of Qualitative Research:
• Description
o A thorough, comprehensive description of the phenomena under study.
Includes the researcher's feelings and thoughts and what is objectively
seen.
• Context
o Research occurs in everyday contexts as opposed to laboratories.
o The researcher needs to immerse themselves into the environment.
(Ethnographic research)
1
,• Meaning
o Looks to create meaning. Searches for meaningful characterization of
social phenomena (describing, interpreting, and explaining human
behaviour).
o Involves taking the subject’s perspective.
o Meaning is meditated through language and actions and resides in social
practice.
o Social phenomena are concept dependent.
• Interpretation
o There are multiple realities and multiple ways these realities can be
understood. Representations of the world are always
mediated/interpreted.
o Qualitative research believes that interpretation is not what we do but
what we are.
o Surplus of meaning.
o This is why qualitative research doesn’t make assumptions, theories,
hypotheses, or causal conclusions.
• Truth
o A single account is not sufficient because it is governed by one’s
context/history.
o Since the researcher is interpreting the data, qualitative study is also
about the motivations and reflections of the researcher.
o Reflective. Fidelity.
• Process
o Meaning can change and evolve over time. Therefore, researchers need to
examine in a way that meaning is sustained.
o The researcher must continually revisit data, seeking clarification and
confirmation of understanding and nuances of meaning. Research is
cynical and non-linear.
o Theory emerges during investigation – Emergent design.
2
, 2 THE QUANTITATIVE-QUALITATIVE DIVIDE
2.1 THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
• When psychology initially began, it followed the hypotheticodeductive model of
research (scientific method). It embraced the empirical testing of theories
(deductive logic) by quantitative methods – if the theory was proved incorrect it
was rejected; if correct, accepted as truth.
• However, the ‘scientific approach’ was not without its problems within
psychology such as ecological validity, ethical issues, volunteer characteristics,
language and understanding, etc.
The Three Methodological Horrors
• tend to revolve around the issues of context, meaning and interpretation. The gap
between reality and the way it is perceived/ captured/described, between objects
and their representations. This gap is unacknowledged by science.
• Qualitative methodology, on the other hand, makes a concerted effort to deal
with each of these issues and has built-in processes that acknowledge the
existence of the gap and attempt to bridge it.
• 1 = Indexicality
o The idea that explanations are always tied to occasions or uses and will
change with occasion (time) and context.
3
