Hello there people of the world! The theme this week has been qualitative methods, many of us may have learned new aspects about qualitative methods such as what it is, how it can be used, limitations and what kind of different opportunities it presents.
In the beginning of the week I thought that I wouldn't gain any new knowledge about this theme in this short period of time. I knew that there would be more information out there for me about the subject that is qualitative methods, but it wouldn't be as easy to obtain as the basic knowledge I already had stored. I already knew what qualitative methods where, I knew basic ways of how to use it. I did know much of the pros and cons of using it alone or combined with other qualitative and/or quantitative methods. So yes, my "picture" of it all wasn't complete (can it ever be? - I'm doubtful about that) but basic and useful enough.
After the seminar I gained more knowledge about qualitative methods, but not so much about the traditional methods such as interviews face-to-face or through telephone, focus groups, case studies etc. but of how to use a variation of them combined with today's technology. In my paper they used interviews through mail conversations and instant messaging conversations and as a positive effect they reached a large group of participants who had time to think about the semi-structured topics and questions before answering them which could give a better summation of the key points than if you would have done them in a much more limited time face-to-face or through telephone/Skype. Yes of course it has some negative effects, but not as tangible as the positives. In the study concerned it was a good option to use as they got a larger target group and did gain much information through each interview.
In conclusion, when you are going to use a method in a certain study (whether it's qualitative or quantitative - or BOTH!) do not only think of the traditional/regular ways of carrying them out, think outside the box and use the technology we do have available to carry out the study in an even better way! Think more freely and brainstorm the **** out of the traditional ways if it will benefit the study.
And the closure is dedicated to physical programming! Keep up the spirit and investigate further!
As you describe, we are slowly getting more flexible regarding the use of research methods. However, if a researcher choose to use new methods not yet established it might be hard to convince the reviewers and get published. It might also be a challenge for a master thesis student to convince the supervisor and examiner! What is important is to have good arguments for choosing certain method(s). Can the reader trust you? There is also more and more written advice in books and papers regarding online research methods.
SvaraRaderaHow did you like the presentation of Ylva Fernaeus, she is doing some very exciting research - as she told us in her lecture. I wasn't very convinced of her lecture and her answers, were you?
SvaraRadera