Deck 18: Qualitative Research: Data Analysis and Interpretation

Question 1

When conducting data analysis during data collection one suggestion for qualitative researchers is to

A) seek evidence to support your initial thoughts.
B) assure you have enough data for an objective analysis.
C) use caution as you form initial opinions.
D) finish data collection as quickly as possible.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Sally is a physical therapist who is conducting a narrative research study of people's rehabilitation stories. She has organized her data and is becoming familiar with her data and is identifying potential themes. Sally is engaged in which of the following qualitative data analysis steps?

A) Memoing
B) Classifying
C) Describing
D) Examining

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Of the following, according to your text and other cited sources, which is a question that a qualitative researcher might pose to guide data analysis and interpretation?
B) Have I quantified my variables?
C) Have I tied my research question to existing theory?
D) Have I collected the data I wanted?
E) Have I controlled for external validity concerns?

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Karen is an instructional researcher interested in the interactions among learners in discussion groups. Not only does Karen have observational notes, and interview notes, she also has verbatim discourse of students' discussions. According to your text, of the following, which is the first step for Karen to take in order to analyze her data?

A) Memo her field notes.
B) Code her discussion data
C) Classify her observational data.
D) Check her data for completeness.

Question 5

In qualitative data analysis, the identification of potential themes occurs during which processes?

A) describing and classifying.
B) classifying and justifying.
C) memoing and reading.
D) describing and reading.

Question 6

Qualitative data analysis is a process of

A) deduction.
B) induction.
C) generalizability.
D) objectivity.

Question 7

When a researcher categorizes and codes pieces of her data and groups them into themes she is said to be

A) memoing the data.
B) classifying the data.
C) describing the data.
D) reading the data.

Question 8

Both Marianne and Bill examined the same set of qualitative data collected from couples in a study designed to understand relationship stress. Interestingly, the themes that emerged from the data were not consistent across the two researchers. Of the following, which is the most likely reason for the discrepancy?

A) The data were not valid.
B) The data were not reliable.
C) Qualitative analysis is interpretive.
D) Qualitative analysis is deductive.

Question 9

Although with revisiting data during data analysis the steps of data analysis may change, the initial sequence of data analysis concludes with _____________.

A) interpretation.
B) reading.
C) memoing.
D) description.

Question 10

Of the following which is a popular qualitative data analysis software package?

A) Narrative Research Analyst
B) Ethnograph
C) Themetica
D) Code Assistant

Question 11

Which of the following is one of the iterative steps of qualitative data analysis as presented in your text?

A) Justifying
B) Critiquing
C) Describing
D) Examining

Question 12

Regarding data analysis conducted via computer, your text suggests that

A) computer analysis is more valid than doing the analysis by hand.
B) computer software should be used only to code your data.
C) computer software can be used to assist with data analysis.
D) computer analysis is more reliable than doing the analysis by hand.

Question 13

The stage of data analysis that addresses detailed analysis of the setting is the _____________ stage.

A) classifying.
B) justifying.
C) organizing.
D) describing.

Question 14

Marcus is a qualitative researcher who studies the communication of frustration among colleagues. He has collected his data and is currently trying to find patterns and meaning in the data. He is using a strategy where he records on 3 x 5 cards to allow for future sorting. Which of the following data analysis strategies is Marcus most directly conducting?

A) Coding
B) Answering key questions
C) Organizational overview
D) Displaying findings

Question 15

Of the following which is a popular qualitative data analysis software package?

A) MYSTAT
B) SPSS
C) NVivo
D) SAS end user

Question 16

Your text indicates that the first step in analyzing data in any qualitative study is ___________ the data.

A) interpreting
B) coding
C) managing
D) classifying

Question 17

The goal of this phase of data analysis is to provide a narrative picture of the setting and events that take place to better understand the research context. This phase is referred to as the _______________ stage.

A) classifying.
B) justifying.
C) organizing.
D) describing.

Question 18

Of the following, which is a question qualitative researchers might ask themselves during data analysis during data collection?

A) Do I have enough data? b Does the evidence proof my position?
C) Are my data objective enough for validity? d Is my research question still answerable?

Question 19

Regarding data organization, which of the following is NOT a suggestion provided in the text?

A) Make photocopies of your data
B) Make back-up files of your data
C) Have other researchers code your data
D) Note themes and patterns that emerge

Question 20

The data analysis strategy that consists of a visual representation of causal relationships is specifically referred to as

A) creating concept maps.
B) analyzing antecedents and consequences.
C) stating what is missing.
D) relating the findings to theory.

Question 21

Trey is analyzing his qualitative data and is asking himself key questions. Which of the following is likely a question he would pose?

A) What conclusions can I draw from these data?
B) When does this problem occur?
C) What do these data conclude?
D) Are my conclusions warented?

Question 22

Laqueta is studying the cultural of Catholic schools in urban areas in the Midwest United States. As part of her qualitative study she exams the goals and objectives of the schools. Which data analysis strategy of those below is Laqueta best illustrating?

A) Organizational review
B) Asking key questions
C) Identifying themes
D) Display what's missing

Question 23

Won has pages and pages of transcribed interviews for her thesis on first generation college students' feelings of stress and anxiety. Of the following, which is something she should do to help her to manage these data?

A) Separate her data and read one person's data at a time.
B) Get an initial sense and read through all of her data.
C) Start to read her data only after identifying codes.
D) Establish a matrix to place student comments in before she reads.

Question 24

Ariel is a novice qualitative researcher who is approaching data analysis. Her study seeks to understand depression in young children. She has extensive notes from observations and interviews. She also has some additional data regarding her participant's medical history. She wants to integrate these data to get a better understanding of her participant's story. She stops to reflect during data analysis and asks herself, "What are the issues related to this problem", "Who else are the key players in my participant's life" as part of her analysis strategy.
By combining multiple data sources Ariel is best illustrating

A) triangulation.
B) description.
C) examination.
D) classification.

Question 25

Describing what is in the data is termed ______________ .

A) interpretation
B) analysis
C) examination
D) classifying

Question 26

Margarita is cautious about her analysis. She is a novice researcher unsure of her interpretation. She wants to leave some of the interpretation to others and asks questions of the data instead of drawing conclusions. Margarita is employing which of the following data analysis strategies?

A) Connect findings with personal experiences
B) Extend the analysis
C) Contextualize findings in the literature
D) Turn to theory

Question 27

When a researcher examines qualitative data in depth so as to provide detailed descriptions he is said to be

A) memoing the data.
B) classifying the data.
C) describing the data.
D) reading the data.

Question 28

Tamar is studying the inclusion of religion in secular schools. He has coded much of his notes, and has made copies of the originals. One problem he has faced, however, is that some of his notes are illegible. Tamar's problem is best categorized as a problem in data ___________.

A) interpretation
B) coding
C) management
D) classification

Question 29

Laili integrates her data from her study with the review of the literature to analyze her data. She is currently engaged in which of the following data analysis strategies?

A) Organizational review
B) Asking key questions
C) Identifying themes
D) Coding observations

Question 30

Making sense of what data mean is termed _______________.

A) interpretation
B) analysis
C) examination
D) classifying

Question 31

Morisha is a policy researcher who studies parents' interest in charter schools. As part of her work she conducted extended interviews with parents who wanted to enter their children into charter schools for high school. Morisha has a large amount of data and she is ready to start data analysis. According to your text, which of the following should Morisha do first?

A) Examine the data for detailed descriptions.
B) Categorize data into codes.
C) Identify potential themes.
D) Describe the participants and setting.

Question 32

Henry has a ton of qualitative data and is at a loss as to where to turn next. Of the following what is one suggestion supported by your text, that will assist Henry now?

A) Discard data that appears to be less related after a preliminary read.
B) Focus the study to facilitate analysis.
C) Employ the use of a computer software program to develop themes.
D) Recode the data again to reduce the amount to memo.

Question 33

Qualitative data analysis is ________________.

A) definitive
B) objective
C) generalizable
D) interpretative

Question 34

Of the following, which is an important question for data interpretation?

A) Why did I collect this much data?
B) What is important in these data?
C) How can I classify these data?
D) How can I manage these data?

Question 35

Ariel is a novice qualitative researcher who is approaching data analysis. Her study seeks to understand depression in young children. She has extensive notes from observations and interviews. She also has some additional data regarding her participant's medical history. She wants to integrate these data to get a better understanding of her participant's story. She stops to reflect during data analysis and asks herself, "What are the issues related to this problem", "Who else are the key players in my participant's life" as part of her analysis strategy.
Given Ariel's study, she is most likely conducting an)

A) correlational study.
B) survey study.
C) ethnography.
D) narrative.

Question 36

Of the following, which is a qualitative data interpretation strategy discussed in your text?

A) Connect findings with personal experience.
B) Use a frequency analysis to examine the data.
C) Report descriptive statistics for all variables.
D) Use a Chi Square analysis for the categorical data.

Question 37

In this scenario Ariel is displaying which of the following data analysis strategies? a Organizational review
B) Asking key questions
C) Identifying themes
D) Displaying what's missing

Question 38

Your text indicates that the last step in the iterative process of qualitative data analysis is __________ the data.

A) interpreting.
B) coding.
C) managing.
D) classifying.

Question 39

Karobi wants to assure he has credible qualitative data for his study on violent and aggressive student behaviors during lunch sessions. Which of the following questions might he ask himself regarding the data?

A) Does my study lend itself to generalization?
B) Do the findings inform policy?
C) What biases might have influenced my observation?
D) What competing hypothesis might I test?

Question 40

Of the following, which is an accurate statement of how best to code qualitative data?

A) Collect all data and then start to code in small pieces.
B) Only code data after you have a representative sample of responses.
C) Think about potential codes as you are first collecting data.
D) Coding data is the last step in qualitative data analysis.

Question 41

Ming is a qualitative research who studies friendship in preteens. She collected observational data for several months and is now engaged in interpretation of the findings. Which of the following questions should Ming ask herself?

A) Why did I collect these data?
B) How can I best classify these data?
C) What can be learned from these data?
D) How can I describe these data?

Question 42

In Jack's study of school bus misconduct, he included observations but also relied heavily on structured interviews. Which of the following is something Jack might do to assure the quality of his data?

A) Jack should assure that he has used a valid interview protocol.
B) Jack should make sure his statistics were accurately conducted.
C) Jack should reflect upon contextual circumstances during his study.
D) Jack should make sure his inter-rater reliability is at least .80.

Question 43

Joel is interpreting his qualitative data regarding students' perceptions of the role of faith-based groups on public university campuses. Which of the following is a technique that your text suggests that Joel should use during this phase of his data analysis?

A) Extend the analysis and suggest potential implications.
B) Recode all of his data to assure reliability.
C) Assess the validity of his codes through content analysis.
D) Determine the generalizability of his codes in a new data set.

Question 44

Sabrina collected and analyzed her qualitative dissertation data that examined the meditation strategies used by chronically ill elderly women. During the interpretation phase she tied her findings to previous research found in the literature that suggested education level may be related to ability to meditate while ill. The strategy Sabrina used is best described as

A) memoing.
B) contextualizing.
C) empirically grounding.
D) generalizing.

Question 45

Which of the following people is best able to start to analyze interview transcriptions from a study that explored international educational researchers' perceptions regarding the use of standardized testing for academic placement?

A) Rashid, an expert in standardized testing.
B) Mallika who is an expert qualitative researcher.
C) Jacoby who conducted some of the interviews.
D) Abdullah who understands software packages for data analysis.