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A Review Of Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work, Kristen Chorba 2011 Kent State University

A Review Of Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work, Kristen Chorba

The Qualitative Report

Qualitative Research: Studying How Things Work by Robert E. Stake reviews the processes, procedures, concepts, and assumptions of qualitative research in a way that encourages the reader to consider multiple elements of the design, implementation, and reporting of a study. This book is appropriate for a wide range of qualitative and mixed-methods researchers, including those who are just beginning and those who have moved beyond the basics and are working on their own studies. Stake's clear and conversational style makes this book easy to understand and apply to one's own work, but the text will challenge readers to take their …


A Revolutionary Collage Of Same Sex Attraction Stories, Marcela Polanco 2011 Nova Southeastern University

A Revolutionary Collage Of Same Sex Attraction Stories, Marcela Polanco

The Qualitative Report

Tony E. Adams' (2011) book presents what could be considered a revolutionary, humanizing understanding of same-sex attraction. This is accomplished by providing a relational understanding of "the closet" and experiences of coming into, living in, and coming out of the closet. It is a production of significant social relevance, denouncing the marginalizing effects of the domains of heteronormativity. While highly scholarly, his evocative storytelling makes this book accessible to an interested reader regardless of his or her degree or area of specialization.


Resilience Of Gendered Spheres In Translational Migration: A Comparison Of Two Cultures, Jose Luis Calderon 2011 Charles Drew University of Medicine

Resilience Of Gendered Spheres In Translational Migration: A Comparison Of Two Cultures, Jose Luis Calderon

The Qualitative Report

Sheba George's ethnographic study used participant-observation methods, purposive sampling, and an insider's transnational journey to examine changes in family and social roles that result when nurses from Kerala, India, immigrate to the United States ahead of their husbands. The author concludes that the economic and political gain immigration affords nurses does not translate into enhanced social status for their family in India nor for their husbands in the U.S. when they undergo a gender role transferal from primary breadwinner to homemaker whilst their wives pursue their nursing careers. In a key observation, the author emphasizes that this role transferal also …


Modifying The Body: Canadian Men's Perspectives On Appearance And Cosmetic Surgery, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Philip White 2011 York University

Modifying The Body: Canadian Men's Perspectives On Appearance And Cosmetic Surgery, Rosemary Ricciardelli, Philip White

The Qualitative Report

In postmodern scholarship there has been a temporal shift to thinking of the body as malleable rather than fixed, which has opened space for the remaking of the self via the remaking of the body (Featherstone, 1991; Giddens, 1991). Among men, this process is thought to interact with shifting understandings of masculinity. In this study, 14 interviews were conducted to investigate experiences of masculinity, physical appearance and cosmetic surgery among Canadian men who had undergone or were contemplating cosmetic surgery. Responses suggest that bodily presentations and experiences of masculinity continue to influence how people feel about themselves and their perspective …


Methodological And Ethical Dilemmas Encountered During Field Research Of Family Violence Experienced By Adolescent Women In Buenos Aires, Natalia Luxardo, Graciela Colombo, Gabriela Iglesias 2011 University of Buenos Aires

Methodological And Ethical Dilemmas Encountered During Field Research Of Family Violence Experienced By Adolescent Women In Buenos Aires, Natalia Luxardo, Graciela Colombo, Gabriela Iglesias

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this article is to examine some obstacles and dilemmas related to methodological strategies and ethical considerations that arose during the fieldwork of research focused on family violence during the stages of pregnancy and childbirth in adolescent females in Buenos Aires during 2007. From this study, we are able to contribute some reflections in the arena of qualitative and mixed methods inquiries. Some of the problematic topics encountered were: institutional constraints, questionnaires with categories too abstract for the target population, lack of interest in participating, orthodox methods that did not work in the field and ethical protocols that …


Visualizing The Intersection Of The Personal And The Social Context - The Use Of Multi-Layered Chronological Charts In Biographical Studies, Patrick T. Hiller 2011 Portland State University

Visualizing The Intersection Of The Personal And The Social Context - The Use Of Multi-Layered Chronological Charts In Biographical Studies, Patrick T. Hiller

The Qualitative Report

This paper outlines the theoretical reasoning and technical implementation of a particular approach to creating multi-layered chronological charts in qualitative biographical studies. The discussed method elucidates the interpretation of traditional life chronologies where the individual's "objective" life facts are reconstructed free from analysis. The novelty of multi-layered chronological charts lies in their ability to enrich the visualization of a temporal connection between personal and social contextual factors based on categories determined by the researcher. In doing so, such charts make existing interview data more accessible and processable. In-depth, thematic data analysis can be supported through the visualization of prominent life …


Interpreting Community Accountability: Citizen Views Of Responding To Domestic Violence (Or Not), Jacob Z. Hess, Nicole E. Allen, Nathan R. Todd 2011 Utah Youth Village

Interpreting Community Accountability: Citizen Views Of Responding To Domestic Violence (Or Not), Jacob Z. Hess, Nicole E. Allen, Nathan R. Todd

The Qualitative Report

In spite of common public condemnations of domestic violence, survey research suggests that citizens aware of actual abuse often believe they cannot or should not personally respond. Through in-depth interviews with 20 local citizens across the political spectrum, we sought to explore this dynamic more carefully by better understanding community interpretations of domestic violence and its appropriate response. This paper explores ten specific views identified in these interviews as potentially relevant to citizen action (or inaction) in response to known abuse. After examining subtle consequences of each belief, we explore broader implications for community mobilization and propose several ways of …


How To Conduct Qualitative Research On The Patient's Experience, Ronald J. Chenail 2011 Nova Southeastern University

How To Conduct Qualitative Research On The Patient's Experience, Ronald J. Chenail

The Qualitative Report

From a perspective of patient-centered healthcare, exploring patients' (a) preconceptions, (b) treatment experiences, (c) quality of life, (d) satisfaction, (e) illness understandings, and (f) design are all critical components in improving primary health care and research. Utilizing qualitative approaches to discover patients' experiences can provide valuable information for practitioners and investigators alike. In this paper, the author describes how researchers can select from among five major qualitative designs (i.e., primary qualitative research, qualitative evaluation, collaborative inquiry, mixed method, and qualitative meta-study) and five preeminent qualitative methodologies (i.e., descriptive, phenomenology, grounded theory, ethnography, and narrative) to create studies to meet their …


The Sense And Sensibility Of Qualitative Research, Bernard Smith 2011 Empire State College

The Sense And Sensibility Of Qualitative Research, Bernard Smith

The Qualitative Report

David Silverman's new edition of Qualitative Research addresses how to engage in qualitative research with increased sensibility. The book is divided into seven sections with 23 chapters written by premier researchers. The chapters are written for students rather than the writers' peers, and while every chapter makes extensive use of the authors' fieldwork and data, John Heritage's chapter on conversational analysis (CA) stands out because he demonstrates to the reader how he made sense of a recurring piece of talk he calls an "oh-prefaced response." The papers are clearly written with helpful summaries and suggested further readings and online resources. …


Applying Grounded Theory To Weight Management Among Women: Making A Commitment To Healthy Eating, Christie Zunker, Nataliya Ivankova 2011 University of Alabama at Birmingham

Applying Grounded Theory To Weight Management Among Women: Making A Commitment To Healthy Eating, Christie Zunker, Nataliya Ivankova

The Qualitative Report

In this study we developed a theory grounded in data from women who continued healthy eating behaviors after a weight management program. Participant recruitment was guided by theoretical sampling strategies for focus groups and individual interviews. Inclusion criteria were: African American or Caucasian women aged 30+ who lost > 5% of their body weight in a weight management program > year ago. Participants > 5% below their baseline weight were maintainers (n = 9); those above were non-maintainers (n = 14). We asked open-ended questions regarding healthy eating behaviors. The systematic design is described in detail, including categories from open coding, connection during …


Support Network Responses To Acquired Brain Injury, Steffany Chleboun, Karen Hux 2011 Southern Illinois University

Support Network Responses To Acquired Brain Injury, Steffany Chleboun, Karen Hux

The Qualitative Report

Acquired brain injury (ABI) affects social relationships; however, the ways social and support networks change and evolve as a result of brain injury is not well understood. This study explored ways in which survivors of ABI and members of their support networks perceive relationship changes as recovery extends into the long-term stage. Two survivors of ABI and members of their respective support networks participated in this case study integrating information from interviews, field notes, and artifacts. Inductive data analysis revealed themes of adjustment to impairments and compensations, connection changes with other people, feelings of protectiveness toward the survivor, emotional intensity, …


Stressful Life Events And Behavior Change: A Qualitative Examination Of African American Women's Participation In A Weight Loss Program, Tiffany L. Cox, Christie Zunker, Brooks C. Wingo, Wendy K. Jefferson, Jamy D. Ard 2011 University of Alabama at Birmingham

Stressful Life Events And Behavior Change: A Qualitative Examination Of African American Women's Participation In A Weight Loss Program, Tiffany L. Cox, Christie Zunker, Brooks C. Wingo, Wendy K. Jefferson, Jamy D. Ard

The Qualitative Report

We qualitatively assessed how life stressors affected African American women's participation in a weight reduction program. A sample of 9 women, who completed a behavioral lifestyle intervention, participated in individual, structured, in-depth interviews. Life stressors, ranging from personal illness to changes in employment status, had varied effects on participation. Some women coped with life stressors by using them as a motivational tool to improve their own health, while others reported limited ability to devote time to attend meetings or engage in the prescribed lifestyle changes due to life stressors. A critical key to improving weight loss outcomes for African American …


Mixed Methods Research Of Adult Family Care Home Residents And Informal Caregivers, Guy C. Jeanty, James Hibel 2011 Carlos Albizu University

Mixed Methods Research Of Adult Family Care Home Residents And Informal Caregivers, Guy C. Jeanty, James Hibel

The Qualitative Report

This article describes a mixed methods approach used to explore the experiences of adult family care home (AFCH) residents and informal caregivers (IC). A rationale is presented for using a mixed methods approach employing the sequential exploratory design with this poorly researched population. The unique challenges attendant to the sampling strategy with this population, and an iterative approach of data collection and data analysis are discussed. A summary of the data integration process and outcome is presented.


The Phenomenon Of Collaboration: A Phenomenologic Study Of Collaboration Between Family Medicine And Obstetrics And Gynecology Departments At An Academic Medical Center, David R. Brown, Cheryl D. Brewster, Marina Karides, Lou A. Lukas 2011 Florida International University

The Phenomenon Of Collaboration: A Phenomenologic Study Of Collaboration Between Family Medicine And Obstetrics And Gynecology Departments At An Academic Medical Center, David R. Brown, Cheryl D. Brewster, Marina Karides, Lou A. Lukas

The Qualitative Report

Collaboration is essential to manage complex real world problems. We used phenomenologic methods to elaborate a description of collaboration between two departments at an academic medical center who considered their relationship to represent a model of effective collaboration. Key collaborative structures included a shared vision and commitment by leaders, rigorous quality improvement, clear delineation of roles with built-in flexibility, ongoing commitment to formal and informal communication channels and conflict resolution, relationship development grounded in respect and responsiveness, and shared training in a supportive learning environment with legitimate participation fostering skill development. This study reveals the complexity and resources required for …


Compatibility Between Text Mining And Qualitative Research In The Perspectives Of Grounded Theory, Content Analysis, And Reliability, Chong Ho Yu, Angel Jannasch-Pennell, Samuel DiGangi 2011 Arizona State University

Compatibility Between Text Mining And Qualitative Research In The Perspectives Of Grounded Theory, Content Analysis, And Reliability, Chong Ho Yu, Angel Jannasch-Pennell, Samuel Digangi

The Qualitative Report

The objective of this article is to illustrate that text mining and qualitative research are epistemologically compatible. First, like many qualitative research approaches, such as grounded theory, text mining encourages open-mindedness and discourages preconceptions. Contrary to the popular belief that text mining is a linear and fully automated procedure, the text miner might add, delete, and revise the initial categories in an iterative fashion. Second, text mining is similar to content analysis, which also aims to extract common themes and threads by counting words. Although both of them utilize computer algorithms, text mining is characterized by its capability of processing …


Themes Of Identity: An Auto-Ethnographical Exploration, Peruvemba S. Jaya 2011 University of Ottawa

Themes Of Identity: An Auto-Ethnographical Exploration, Peruvemba S. Jaya

The Qualitative Report

The study is focused on understanding identity construction through combining my own experience with the theoretical underpinnings of postcolonial theory, social identity theory and through the examination of two films. The central question that I am interested in is understanding the identity construction and formation process especially as it relates to individuals who have crossed borders and immigrated or moved to countries other than their home countries. The methodology I am employing is auto-ethnography; I am integrating this by using two films as sites of inquiry. Through this introspective, reflection combined with the theoretical framework of identity I uncover themes …


"Every Word Is True": Stories Of Our Experiences In A Qualitative Research Course, Janet C. Richards 2011 University of South Florida

"Every Word Is True": Stories Of Our Experiences In A Qualitative Research Course, Janet C. Richards

The Qualitative Report

There is a sparse body of literature about students' and instructors' experiences in graduate qualitative courses. In this study, 11 doctoral students and one instructor employed a narrative framework to uncover our perceived truths about our experiences as we interacted, studied, pondered, and journeyed through a qualitative research methods course. Data were my chronologically ordered notes documenting my thinking and perceptions about my students and me and the doctoral students' chronologically ordered e-mail stories to their peers and to me. The inquiry illuminated the doctoral students' growth as researchers and highlighted the power of shared stories. Our narratives captured our …


Consistency And Change In Participatory Action Research: Reflections On A Focus Group Study About How Farmers Learn, Fred P. Piercy, Nancy Franz, Joseph L. Donaldson, Robert F. Richard 2011 Virginia Tech University

Consistency And Change In Participatory Action Research: Reflections On A Focus Group Study About How Farmers Learn, Fred P. Piercy, Nancy Franz, Joseph L. Donaldson, Robert F. Richard

The Qualitative Report

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on our efforts to balance consistency in our multi-year participatory action research study with the need to adapt our research protocol to what we are learning along the way. While both are important, we share several examples of how our flexibility and openness to adapt our protocol to our research findings has lead to methodological refinements and serendipitous learnings. We discuss implications for both agricultural education and research.


Communicating Qualitative Research Study Designs To Research Ethics Review Boards, Carolyn Ells 2011 McGill University

Communicating Qualitative Research Study Designs To Research Ethics Review Boards, Carolyn Ells

The Qualitative Report

Researchers using qualitative methodologies appear to be particularly prone to having their study designs called into question by research ethics or funding agency review committees. In this paper, the author considers the issue of communicating qualitative research study designs in the context of institutional research ethics review and offers suggestions for researchers to consider in their communication of study designs to research ethics review boards. General information about the mandate of research ethics review boards is provided. In light of wide international variability with respect to research ethics regulatory environments and review board processes, specific considerations and suggestions about communicating …


Research Praxis From Design To Completion: A Review Of Designing And Managing Your Research Project - Core Knowledge For Social And Health Researchers, Ronald R. Kumar 2011 University of South Pacific

Research Praxis From Design To Completion: A Review Of Designing And Managing Your Research Project - Core Knowledge For Social And Health Researchers, Ronald R. Kumar

The Qualitative Report

Thomas and Hodges (2010) have written a very practical and indeed a valuable book on how to do research project design and management applicable to a wide readership. The book will be of particular importance to young researchers who are aspiring to hone the art of research and project management from design to completion. For the experienced, it's a book to read and reflect on. Discussing the critical elements involved in research, Thomas and Hodges use consultative-advising-coaching, empathy-towards-researchers and experienced-based approaches to reveal important core knowledge in research as a career whilst laying out the ground rules for effective research …


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