CRE CRE Qualitative Research Techniques 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of an in-depth interview (IDI) in qualitative research?
- To collect large-scale quantitative data
- To explore a respondent's perceptions, motivations, and experiences in depth (Correct answer)
- To measure statistically significant differences
- To test a pre-defined hypothesis
Correct answer: To explore a respondent's perceptions, motivations, and experiences in depth
IDIs allow researchers to probe deeply into an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors through open-ended, conversational dialogue.
Question 2: What does 'saturation' mean in the context of qualitative data collection?
- The survey has reached its maximum length
- No new themes or information emerge from additional interviews or observations (Correct answer)
- The sample size has exceeded the target
- All quantitative variables have been coded
Correct answer: No new themes or information emerge from additional interviews or observations
Saturation is reached when additional data collection stops producing new insights, indicating sufficient depth has been achieved.
Question 3: Which qualitative method involves a researcher immersing themselves in a community or setting to observe behavior naturally?
- Content analysis
- Ethnography (Correct answer)
- Delphi method
- Conjoint analysis
Correct answer: Ethnography
Ethnography involves prolonged immersion in a social setting to observe and understand behavior in its natural context.
Question 4: In a focus group, what is the recommended group size to balance diverse input with manageable discussion?
- 2–3 participants
- 6–10 participants (Correct answer)
- 15–20 participants
- 25–30 participants
Correct answer: 6–10 participants
Groups of 6–10 are large enough to generate diverse perspectives yet small enough for each participant to contribute meaningfully.
Question 5: What is 'member checking' in qualitative research?
- Verifying the moderator's credentials
- Sharing findings with participants to confirm accuracy and credibility (Correct answer)
- Cross-checking two independent datasets
- Reviewing audio recordings before transcription
Correct answer: Sharing findings with participants to confirm accuracy and credibility
Member checking enhances credibility by returning preliminary findings to study participants so they can confirm or correct the researcher's interpretations.
Question 6: Which analytical approach in qualitative research involves identifying patterns and categories that emerge directly from the data without a predefined framework?
- Deductive coding
- Inductive (grounded) coding (Correct answer)
- Factor analysis
- Regression analysis
Correct answer: Inductive (grounded) coding
Inductive coding lets themes emerge organically from the data rather than applying a predetermined theoretical framework.
CRE CRE Qualitative Research Techniques 1
What is the primary goal of an in-depth interview (IDI) in qualitative research?