Term | Definition |
Axial coding | 2nd level of grounded theory; process of categorizing, recategorizing, and condensing 1st level codes by connecting categories with its subcategories |
Basic social process (BSP) | central social process merging through an analysis of grounded theory data; it involves an evolving process of coping or adaptation |
Categorization scheme | |
Componential analysis | comparing and contrasting terms in a domain |
Conceptual files | physical files w/ coded excerpts of data relevant to specific categories |
Constant comparison | procedure in grounded theory analysis where newly collected data are compared continuously w/ previously obtained data in attempt to assess similarity |
Core category/Central category | a pattern of BEHAVIOR PATTERN that’s relevant and/or problematic for participants; the main theme of t/ research |
Detailed approach | ANALYZING EVERY SENTENCE in effort to grasp the essential meaning of the experience being studied |
Domain analysis | identifying domains, or units of cultural knowledge |
Duquesne school | school of phenomenology, based on Husserlâs philosophy |
Editing analysis style | |
Emergent fit | concept in grounded theory involving comparing new data and new categories w/ previously existing conceptualizations |
Fit | analysis in which the researcher develops categories of a substantive theory that FIT the data; Glaserian grounded theory |
Giorgi’s phenomenological method | method designed to capture as closely as possible the way in which the phenomenon is experienced |
Glaser and Strauss grounded theory method | theory that tries to account for actions in a substantive area from the perspective of those involved; researchers seek to understand actions by focusing on the main concern or problem that the individuals’ behavior is designed to resolve |
Heideggarian hermeneutics | âinterpretive phenomenologyâ; asking âWhat is BEING?â; stressing INTERPRETING & UNDERSTANDINGânot just describing human experience; one seeks to interpret the meaning of an object like text, work of art, etc. |
Holistic approach | viewing TEXT AS A WHOLE in effort to grasp the essential meaning of the experience being studied |
Immersion/crystallization analysis style | |
Level I codes/In vivo codes | in Glaserian approach, a form of open coding derived directly from t/ language of t/ substantive area & have vivid imagery |
Level II codes | the collection of open codes from Level I substantive and vivid data into collapsed higher level codes of abstraction |
Level III codes | theoretical constructs – the most abstract of the 3 codes; they add scope beyond local meanings |
Memos | |
Meta-matrix | 2-dimensional device used in a mixed methods study permiting researchers to recognize import patterns & themes across data sources |
Open coding | in 1st stage of constant comparative analysis, captures what's going on in data; may be actual words used by participants; researchers ask, âWhat category or property of a category does incident indicate?â |
Qualitative content analysis | t/ analysis of narrative data to identify prominent themes & patterns; involves breaking down data into smaller units, coding & naming the units according to represented content, & grouping coded material based on shared concepts. |
Quasi-statistics | a tabulation of the frequency w/ which certain themes or insights are supported by the data |
Recontextualization | |
Selective approach | PULLING OUT KEY STATEMENTS & PHRASES in effort to grasp the essential meaning of the experience being studied |
Selective coding | coding only data related to core variable |
Substantive codes | |
Taxonomic analysis | selecting key domains and constructing systems of classification (taxonomies) |
Taxonomy | system of classification |
Template | |
Template analysis style | |
Theme | an abstract entity that brings meaning and identity to a current experience and its variant manifestations |
Theme analysis | uncovering cultural themes |
Theoretical codes | codes providing insight into how substantive codes relate to each other |
Authenticity | extent to which researchers fairly and faithfully show a range of realities |
Confirmability | a criterion for integrity referring to the objectivity or neutrality of the data & interpretations |
Creativity | challenges to traditional ways of thinking, as demonstrated through innovative approaches to collecting, analyzing, & interpreting data |
Credibility | in QUALITATIVE research, the confidence in the truth of the data (in QUANTITATIVE research, the like term is internal validity) |
Dependability | in QUALITATIVE research, the stability of the data over time & conditions; (in QUANTITATIVE research it’s reliability) |
Data triangulation | the use of multiple data sources for the purpose of validating conclusions |
Explicitness | the ability to follow the researcher’s decisions and interpretive efforts by means of carefully maintained records and explicitly presented results |
Inquiry audit | scrutiny of data & supporting documents by an external reviewer |
Integrity | t/ ongoing self-reflection and self-scrutiny to ensure that interpretations are valid and grounded in the data |
Member checks | t/ provided feedback to participants about emerging interpretations, and getting participants’ reactions; import technique for establishing the credibility of qualitative data |
Method triangulation | using multiple methods of data collection about the same phenomena |
Negative case analysis | process where researchers revise their interpretations by including cases that appear to disconfirm earlier hypotheses; goal is to continuously refine hypothesis or theory until it accounts for all cases |
Peer debriefings | sessions w/ peers to review and explore various aspects of the inquiry |
Persistent observation | the researchers’ focus on the characteristics or aspects of a situation or a conversation that are relevant to the phenomena being studied |
Sensitivity | t/ degree to which the research was done in a manner that reflects respectful sensitivity to and concern for the people, groups, and communities being studied |
Stepwise replication | |
Theory triangulation | using competing theories or hypotheses in analyzing and interpreting the data |
Thoroughness | adequacy of data as a result of sound sampling and data collection decisions (saturation), as well as the full development of ideas |
Transferability | t/ potential for findings to have applicability in other settings or groups |
Trustworthiness | the degree of confidence QUALITATIVE researchers have in their data; it’s assessed using credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability, & authenticity |
Prolonged engagement | t/ investment of sufficient time collecting data to have an in-depth understanding of the people under study; to test for misinformation and distortions, and to ensure saturation of key categories; HELPS BUILD RAPPORT |