In a complete qualitative interviewing process, a researcher will perform all but which of the following?
a. Verify
b. Design
c. Thematize
d. Statistically analyze
e. Transcribe
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d. Statistically analyze.
In a complete qualitative interviewing process, researchers typically engage in several key steps, but statistical analysis is not one of them. Qualitative research is focused on understanding human experiences, behaviors, and interactions, which involves methods that prioritize narrative data over numerical data. These steps include:
- Verify (a): Researchers verify their research approach and ensure that the data collection methods align with the research objectives. This verification is important for maintaining credibility and ensuring that the study’s findings are valid.
- Design (b): Designing the study involves setting the research questions, selecting the participants, and determining the interview structure. The researcher develops a comprehensive plan that outlines how to collect data and how to approach the participants.
- Thematize (c): Thematizing involves identifying and organizing patterns and themes from the data. Researchers analyze the collected interviews or observational data to identify recurring themes that reflect the study’s central concerns. This process is essential for interpreting the qualitative data.
- Transcribe (e): Transcribing refers to the process of converting audio or video recordings from the interview into written text. This step is crucial as it creates a raw text base for analysis. The transcription is then used for coding and categorizing the information into meaningful segments.
On the other hand, statistical analysis is more common in quantitative research. While qualitative data analysis involves identifying patterns, themes, and narratives, it does not involve statistical tests or methods. Qualitative data is rich in description and context, which means it is interpreted rather than subjected to statistical measures.