Research Methods Tutorials: Introductions to Quantitative and Qualitative Methods

Since phenomenology is concerned with explaining participants lived experiences, it is more appropriate to use for studying what meaning the flood victims gave to their experience.

(This is an explanation of the poll on the previous page)

First, watch this 3:19 video from Mod•U: Powerful Concepts in Social Science (YouTube) titled "What is a Code?: Qualitative Research Methods."

Next, check out this 2:55 video about why we code.

For more examples, check out the video linked below:

It is very common now to seek out and use technology to help with your analyses. Once your data becomes sufficiently large or unwieldy it can become attractive option. There are many tools that can help with these processes including but not limited to:

• Depose
• MAXQDA
• NVivo
• QDA Miner
• WordStat

Use of any of the tools listed above comes with advantages and disadvantages. 

Advantages of computer-assisted analysis include:

• Providing a file systems that helps keep track of, organize and store large amounts of data.
• Programs can speed up the process of analysis, especially coding, retrieving, displaying, counting, and sorting data.
• Programs having voice identification capabilities can help transcribing interview data.
• Programs can help generate graphs, tables, or diagrams.
• Programs with machine learning technology can identify relationships in the data through trial and error.

Disadvantages of computer-assisted analysis include:

• These programs are often complicated and take a considerable amount of time to learn how to use appropriately.
• Your analysis can become constrained by what is possible with the software.
• Researchers may make analytic decisions based on the capabilities of the computer rather than their own judgement. 

We urge you to keep in mind the computer or software you use to facilitate your work is neither thinking or infallible. The machine will perform solely as it is programmed and just because it is capable of generating a sum, graphic or other output doesn't mean that this is the right answer. It is your responsibility, as the researcher, to examine the data and the outputs from the computer and think critically about how the program works.

Source & Further Reading

The above is taken from the chapter, "Analyzing Qualitative Data" in the book linked below:

What is a Mixed Methods approach?

Mixed Methods is the term for a research approach that uses BOTH quantitative and qualitative approaches. 

Example

Biwer, F., Egbrink, M. G. A. oude, Aalten, P., & de Bruin, A. B. H. (2020). Fostering Effective Learning Strategies in Higher Education - A Mixed-Methods Study. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 9(2), 186–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2020.03.004

• Abstract: Cognitive psychological research from the last decades has shown that learning strategies that create desirable difficulties during learning, e.g., practice testing, are most effective for long-term learning outcomes. However, there is a paucity of research on how to effectively translate these insights into training students in higher education. Therefore, we designed an intervention program aiming to create awareness about, foster reflection on, and stimulate practice of effective learning strategies. In a first examination of the pilot intervention (N = 47), we tested the effects of the intervention on metacognitive knowledge and self-reported use of effective learning strategies during self-study, using a control-group mixed-methods design. The intervention program had positive effects on knowledge about effective learning strategies and increased the use of practice testing. Qualitative interview results suggested that to sustainably change students’ learning strategies, we may consider tackling their uncertainty about effort and time, and increase availability of practice questions.

Data Collection