Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons^™

An Exploration Of Power, Race, And Higher Education: A Cross-Cultural Parallel Narrative, Book Review, Kathleen Rose Mcgovern

The Qualitative Report

Power, Race, and Higher Education: A Cross-Cultural Parallel Narrative by Kakali Bhattacharya and Norman K. Gillen (Kent) provides readers with scenarios from the authors’ personal and academic lives through which they explore the major themes of the book (2016). These themes include researcher positionality, presenting research through ethnodrama, navigating academia, and pedagogical approaches to examining privilege. This review recommends the book for professors working with Master’s students or undergraduates to facilitate reflection on their positionality in relation to their students (in the case of pre-service teachers) or research participants.

Transformative Writing Steps For Poets To Prose Writers, Janie A. Hall

The Qualitative Report

Diana Raab’s Writing for Bliss is a stimulating book that encourages and supports writing for passion based on reflection, truth, and freedom. The book was authored to provide prompts and techniques for writers on any level. The premise of the book began when Raab discovered writing was a healing mechanism for her and her late grandmother. Raab believes in the purity of writing for change and the seven-step plan as listed in the book. The purpose of this book was to serve as a reference for individuals who may consider transforming their lives through writing.

A Warden Or A Ballerina: Examining The Relationship Between Gender Socialization, And Occupational Choice Among Prison Wardens And Superintendents, Karen Altendorf

The Qualitative Report

This study explores the career experiences of women who hold leadership positions within the field of corrections as Wardens and Superintendents. Specifically the research seeks to examine the personal biographies of these women in an effort to document life experiences shaping their occupational choices. Twenty nine interviews were conducted with wardens and superintendents from 13 states. Subjects were questioned about family, education, perceptions of occupational choice, and career aspirations. Generational differences exist between female wardens in relation to boarder social trends in gender and occupation. The more support women receive from parents and family to pursue education and careers, the …

Reflecting On The Future Of Qda Software: Special Issue Of The Qualitative Report, Trena Paulus, Jeanine C. Evers, Franciska De Jong

The Qualitative Report

This article introduces the special issue of The Qualitative Report, which brings together five papers exploring the scope, depth, history and future of Qualitative Data Analysis software (QDAS), originally presented at a conference in Rotterdam in 2016. The selected papers provide insights into the history of the QDAS community and future developments of the software packages, uses of QDAS for tasks beyond text analysis, the promise of a common exchange format for researchers using different packages, and strategies for putting to rest, once and for all, persistent misconceptions about QDAS that continue to circulate in the literature and during …

The History Of The Development And Propagation Of Qda Software, Urszula Wolski Phd

The Qualitative Report

In the 1980s researchers began to develop software for the analysis of qualitative data. Since then such computer packages have transformed the nature and practice of qualitative research. This paper identifies and examines the processes that led to the development of a QDAS community from the perspective of social worlds theory. Based on interviews with developers and propagators of qualitative data analysis software (QDAS), this paper discusses its history and development, illustrating how a community emerged from the intersection of two social worlds, the computing world and the social science world. It shows use of QDAS spread to the wider …

Using Nvivo™ For Literature Reviews: The Eight Step Pedagogy (N7+1), Maureen M. O'Neill Dr, Sarah R. Booth Mrs, Janeen Therese Lamb Phd

The Qualitative Report

While a literature review is a necessary milestone to be completed by all researchers in a timely and efficient manner, it is often one of the most difficult aspects of the research journey. Moreover, traditional approaches often leave novice researchers, to struggle with the conceptualisation of their literature review, now complicated by the overwhelming quantity of research available online. This paper presents a rationale the use of Qualitative Data Analysis Software (QDAS) programs for literature reviews. QDAS tools allow the researcher to explore large amounts of textual documents to see patterns. These programs are often overlooked by novice researchers due …

Current Issues In Qualitative Data Analysis Software (Qdas): A User And Developer Perspective, Jeanine C. Evers

The Qualitative Report

This paper describes recent issues and developments in Qualitative Data Analysis Software (QDAS) as presented in the opening plenary at the KWALON 2016 conference. From a user perspective, it reflects current features and functionality, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning; implications of the cloud; user friendliness; the role of digital archives; and the development of a common exchange format. This user perspective is complemented with the views of software developers who took part in the “Rotterdam Exchange Format Initiative,” an outcome of the conference.

Contemporary Methodological Approaches To Qualitative Research: A Review Of The Oxford Handbook Of Qualitative Methods, Dian Jordan

The Qualitative Report

Researchers can discover the dynamism of new methods of qualitative inquiry and discover new applications for the established methods. The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Methods (2014), edited by Patricia Leavy examines topics ranging from the politics of knowledge to researcher prejudice and bias extant in qualitative research. History, ethics, philosophy, and theoretical approaches of qualitative research are presented in a cogent manner. Topics include grounded theory, feminist research, indigenous methodologies, narrative inquiry, ethnography, case studies, oral history, content analysis, Internet research, photography and arts-based research, community-based research, qualitative disaster research, and mixed-methods. Chapters are devoted to skill-building techniques for …

A Blueprint For Research Success: Review Of Introduction To Community Oral History, Yanlys De La Caridad Palacios-Alfonso

The Qualitative Report

The Introduction to Community Oral History targets the novice researcher. The book provides a blueprint for the process of qualitative research. Also, the authors present examples for each step to engage the reader from start to finish. Lastly, I point out the strengths and weakness of the book.

Pursuing A Dream: The Lived Experiences Of Early Leavers And Their Return To Alternative High School, Patrick Morrissette

The Qualitative Report

This article describes a phenomenological study that explored the experiences of early leavers who chose to return to high school in order to pursue their diploma. Eighteen students, including males and females, participated in individual tape recorded interviews, during which they described their experiences, yielding written protocols that were thematically analyzed. Results from this study revealed seven prominent themes that included the following (a) facing reality, (b) launching process, (c) determination, (d) overcoming barriers, (e) supportive influences, (f) proving self, and (g) learning context. Findings and implications for educators and future research are included.

“I Am Just Like Everyone Else, Except For A Nine-Digit Number”: A Thematic Analysis Of The Experiences Of Dreamers, Joanna Méndez-Pounds Ph.D., Denise A. Nicholas, Natali Gonzalez, Jason B. Whiting

The Qualitative Report

This qualitative thematic analysis study explored the experiences of DREAMers, undocumented students raised in the US awaiting the passage of the DREAM Act. We used a phenomenologically-informed textual analysis which resulted in a summary essence of the experience of DREAMers, describing how even though DREAMers are like other contributing members of society “except for a nine-digit number,” certain characteristics make their experience unique. Two websites containing experiences of individuals identifying as DREAMers as they wait for the passage of the DREAM Act, were analyzed to draw out specific themes that represented DREAMers’ experiences. Results revealed the following themes, Uncertainty about …

Looking Beyond Arts And Crafts: A Book Review Of Research For Designers, April Coan

The Qualitative Report

In this book review of Research for Designers: A Guide to Methods and Practice, I provide a summary of the book’s content and a brief description of each chapter. I also discuss the book’s structure, organization, strengths, and weaknesses. This review concludes with the evaluation that Research for Designers is an excellent resource and practical guide for novice researchers from any academic discipline, but especially so for researchers and practitioners in the design field.

A Book Review Journey Through Doing Ethnography, Katie L. Laux

The Qualitative Report

Giampietro Gobo and Andrea Molle describe their book, Doing Ethnography, as a recipe for cooking ethnography. In this book review, I will take you on a journey through this culinary delight. I provide an overview of the points of interest, a short description of what can be found at each location, and the benefits of the various stops on the tours. Overall, this book is an appropriate choice for novice researchers or anyone who is interested in the practice of ethnography.

A Comprehensive Review Of Seven Steps To A Comprehensive Literature Review, Jan Kirksey Williams 8272621

The Qualitative Report

Onwuegbuzie and Frels (2015) provide the framework for evaluating current research and present seven steps for developing a Comprehensive Literature Review. Today a significant dilemma of research involves the sparse number of rigorous, empirical research studies to guide development of best practices of writing. The authors describe the purpose of their book as “a tool and guide for master’s-level students, doctoral-level students, and new and experienced researchers” to approach writing a CLR in a through and investigative way. The thrust and challenge is for researchers to concentrate on improving their methods and practices when reviewing topics with strong potential for …

Inductive And Deductive: Ambiguous Labels In Qualitative Content Analysis, Mohammad Reza Armat, Abdolghader Assarroudi, Mostafa Rad, Hassan Sharifi, Abbas Heydari

The Qualitative Report

The propounded dualism in Content Analysis as quantitative and qualitative approaches is widely supported and justified in nursing literature. Nevertheless, another sort of dualism is proposed for Qualitative Content Analysis, suggesting the adoption of "inductive" and/or "deductive" approaches in the process of qualitative data analysis. These approaches have been referred and labelled as "inductive" or "conventional"; and "deductive" or "directed" content analysis in the literature. Authors argue that these labels could be fallacious, and may lead to ambiguity; as in effect, both approaches are employed with different dominancy during the process of any Qualitative Content Analysis. Thus, authors suggest more …

The Basics And Ethics Of Social And Behavioral Sciences Research Design: A Book Review, Isibel C. Moreno

The Qualitative Report

The following is a succinct review of the book: Research Design: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts-Based, and Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches, written by Patricia Leavy and published in 2017. This review covers topics such as the book’s successful depiction of the basic concepts encompassed in research design for the social and behavioral sciences, the setup of the chapters, discussions about the author’s inclusion of Review Stops interweaved in each chapter, as well as the author’s discussions of social justice and ethical considerations for each topic explained in the book. In addition, there are brief notes on the author’s expertise in …

On Time Well Spent: A Review Of Helen Kara’S Research And Evaluation For Busy Students And Practitioners, Stephanie Fitzsimmons

The Qualitative Report

We all have those moments when we are assigned a new project or research assignment where we think, “Oh my goodness, I don’t even know where to start.” I wish I had this book 20 years ago to guide me through internal conversations and shed light on the research process. Kara weaves the conversation, not only from her perspective and experience but also of others who shared their thoughts and experiences. The book through stories, experiences, and tips creates a virtual friend that acts as a safe place to ask questions and see how others handled certain situations. As a …

Nasis 2018: Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey Questionnaire, Bureau Of Sociological Research

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

100 questions; 12 pages

Item Location, The Interviewer–Respondent Interaction, And Responses To Battery Questions In Telephone Surveys, Kristen Olson, Jolene Smyth, Beth Cochran

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Survey researchers often ask a series of attitudinal questions with a common question stem and response options, known as battery questions. Interviewers have substantial latitude in deciding how to administer these items, including whether to reread the common question stem on items after the first one or to probe respondents’ answers. Despite the ubiquity of use of these items, there is virtually no research on whether respondent and interviewer behaviors on battery questions differ over items in a battery or whether interview behaviors are associated with answers to these questions. This article uses a nationally representative telephone survey with audio-recorded …

Campus Climate Sexual Assault Survey (2015) Analysis, Felicia Rosin

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The issue of sexual assault has garnered widespread attention in recent years, as is evident by the growing number of high-profile cases and mainstream social movements. With this increasingly bright spotlight, it is no surprise that The University of Akron has interest in improving the sexual violence education programs offered to students. In 2015, the university conducted a survey to gather information on the campus climate surrounding sexual assault. This analysis dives into a deeper analysis of the data gathered in an attempt to pinpoint areas that require the university’s attention. The analysis covers topics identified by Dean of Students …

A Holistic Teaching Approach For Your Qualitative Research Class: A Book Review, Lilian L. Latulippe

The Qualitative Report

A book review on Teaching Qualitative Research: Strategies for engaging emerging scholars, written by Raji Swaminathan and Thalia M. Mulvihill, published in 2018. This review offers an overall look into an instructor’s book by highlighting its unique features for teaching qualitative research in the social sciences. The review presents the main intent of the book, which is the authors’ holistic pedagogical approach for teaching qualitative inquiry. Swaminathan and Mulvihill offer readers a melding of qualitative pedagogy and holistic pedagogy, a clear strength of this book. The review concludes by sharing potential readership, as well as, possible applications.

Problematic Autoethnographic Research: Researcher’S Failure In Positioning, Ji Young Shim

The Qualitative Report

This article problematizes and discusses the “auto”ethnographical approach, which has recently become pervasive in research-oriented writings, to “tell the story of self and subject” in order to analyze wider cultural and social conditions. This method can be found in the remarkable array of a variety of disciplines in which scholars have explicitly and implicitly highlighted identity-related issues. One problem with this approach is its failure to recognize the ideological generalization in identifying the researcher’s position, with the risk of eventually becoming a neutral “truth through the researcher’s reality.” This paper focuses on the crisis between history and memory in contextualizing …

Applying A Total Quality Framework To Qualitative Research Design: A Review, Paula Boros

The Qualitative Report

In Applied Qualitative Research Design: A Total Quality Framework Approach, Margaret R. Roller and Paul J. Lavrakas present their Total Quality Framework (TQF) designed to help researchers understand qualitative research is required to be creditable, analyzable, transparent, and useful. The authors show how qualitative researchers can utilize these four TQR fundamental elements to identify strengths and limitations of their qualitative methods and design process.

Life In Hampton Roads Survey Press Release #3: Economics, Social Science Research Center, Old Dominion University

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

[Introductory paragraph]

This report examines regional perceptions of economic conditions from the 2018 Life In Hampton Roads survey (LIHR 2018) conducted by the Old Dominion University Social Science Research Center. Data from prior years is also provided when available to show comparisons in responses over time. Responses were weighted by city population, race, age, gender, and phone usage (cell versus land-line) to be representative of the Hampton Roads region. For additional information on survey methodology, and analyses of other issues, please see the SSRC website at www.odu.edu/ssrc.

Life In Hampton Roads Survey Press Release #4: Health, Health Care, And Other Health Related Issues, Social Science Research Center, Old Dominion University

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

[Introductory paragraph]

This report examines regional and sub-regional measures of health and health related issues from the 2018 Life In Hampton Roads survey (LIHR 2018) conducted by the Old Dominion University Social Science Research Center. Data from prior years is also provided when available to show comparisons in responses over time. Responses were weighted by city population, race, age, gender, and phone usage (cell versus land-line) to be representative of the Hampton Roads region. For additional information on survey methodology, and analyses of other issues, please see the SSRC website at www.odu.edu/ssrc. The health of Hampton Roads residents is …

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (Nasis) 2018 Methodology Report, Bureau Of Sociological Research

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

Introduction 3

Mode Selection 3

Design & Item Selection 3

Sampling Design 4

Experimental Design Treatment 4

Data Collection Process 4

Response Rate 5

Data-Entry Training, Supervision, and Quality Control 5

Processing of Completed Surveys 5

Data Cleaning 5

Representativeness of the Survey 6

NASIS Sample Weights 6

Figures 8

Tables 9

Appendix A: Cover Letter 11

Appendix B: Formatted Mail Survey 13

Appendix C: Future Interest Research Form 45

Appendix D: Reminder Postcard 46

Appendix E: County Codes 47

Appendix F: Variables and Descriptions 48

Nasis: Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey -- Previous Core Items, Bureau Of Sociological Research

Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey (NASIS)

The NASIS survey varies from year to year depending on client needs, but every year a core group of items consisting of common demographics and quality of life measures are included. These include, for example, age, sex, education, community satisfaction, etc (for complete list, see below). These items are asked each year to provide key demographic information to all users of NASIS as well as comparability to other social indicator information.

The core items were reduced in 2018 in an effort to keep NASIS costs as low as possible and reduce respondent burden. You can find the current core items …

The Effects Of Respondent And Question Characteristics On Respondent Answering Behaviors In Telephone Interviews, Kristen Olson, Jolene Smyth, Amanda Ganshert

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

In a standardized telephone interview, respondents ideally are able to provide an answer that easily fits the response task. Deviations from this ideal question answering behavior are behavioral manifestations of breakdowns in the cognitive response process and partially reveal mechanisms underlying measurement error, but little is known about what question characteristics or types of respondents are associated with what types of deviations. Evaluations of question problems tend to look at one question characteristic at a time; yet questions are comprised of multiple characteristics, some of which are easier to experimentally manipulate (e.g., presence of a definition) than others (e.g., attitude …

Life In Hampton Roads Report: The Ninth Annual Life In Hampton Roads Survey, Steve Parker, Randy R. Gainey, Tancy Vandecar-Burdin

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

[From the Executive Summary]

The Social Science Research Center (SSRC) at Old Dominion University recently completed data collection for the ninth annual Life in Hampton Roads telephone survey. The purpose of the survey was to gain insight into residents’ perceptions of the quality of life in Hampton Roads. The project also investigated attitudes and perceptions of citizens regarding topics of local interest such as transportation and traffic, local and state government, perceptions of police, health, community, education, and other issues. This year, the SSRC also partnered with the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health and they provided additional health-related questions …

Life In Hampton Roads Survey Press Release #2: Politics, Social Issues, Perceptions Of The Police, Social Science Research Center, Old Dominion University

Life in Hampton Roads Survey Report

[Introductory paragraph]

This report examines regional perceptions of political figures and political affiliation from the 2018 Life In Hampton Roads survey (LIHR 2018) conducted by the Old Dominion University Social Science Research Center. Data from prior years is also provided when available to show comparisons in responses over time. Responses were weighted by city population, race, age, gender, and phone usage (cell versus land-line) to be representative of the Hampton Roads region. For additional information on survey methodology, and analyses of other issues, please see the SSRC website at www.odu.edu/ssrc. The political climate is one factor in understanding attitudes on …