PSYB01H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5 & 9 : Psycinfo, Jstor, Research Question
Chapter 5
Qualitative Research – mind of a serial killer
• People find serial killers intriguing
• Research question – what is the nature of a serial killers thought patterns?
o We will want to educate ourselves in some background knowledge about serial
killers
o The techniques used to gather information
• Review literature
o JSTOR
o PsychINFO
• We need a systematic approach to studying our questions.
Steps to qualitative research
1. Defining key terms in our research question
2. Figure out which type of thought process interests you
Qualitative or Quantitative research?
Qualitative research: a generic term representing a variety of methodologies that focus on
obtaining an in depth account of participants perspective of their own world and their
experience of events
• Favors observing in naturalistic environments
Quantitative research: a generic term for methods that seek to objectively examine
associations between variables predict outcomes and make comparisons
Mixed methods research: a blend of quantitative and qualitative methods that capitalizes on
the strengths of each to examine a research question from multiple perspectives.
Bottom-up: An approach where the researcher develops a theory by exploring a topic using
information provided from the participant’s direct experiences.
Top-down: A deductive approach where the researcher tests preconceptions and previously
established theories with the collected data.
Interviewer Bias: Any way that the interviewer influences the participant’s responses.
Document Summary
Steps to qualitative research: defining key terms in our research question, figure out which type of thought process interests you. Qualitative research: a generic term representing a variety of methodologies that focus on obtaining an in depth account of participants perspective of their own world and their experience of events: favors observing in naturalistic environments. Quantitative research: a generic term for methods that seek to objectively examine associations between variables predict outcomes and make comparisons. Mixed methods research: a blend of quantitative and qualitative methods that capitalizes on the strengths of each to examine a research question from multiple perspectives. Bottom-up: an approach where the researcher develops a theory by exploring a topic using i(cid:374)fo(cid:396)(cid:373)atio(cid:374) p(cid:396)o(cid:448)ided f(cid:396)o(cid:373) the pa(cid:396)ti(cid:272)ipa(cid:374)t"s di(cid:396)e(cid:272)t e(cid:454)pe(cid:396)ie(cid:374)(cid:272)es. Top-down: a deductive approach where the researcher tests preconceptions and previously established theories with the collected data. Interviewer bias: any way that the i(cid:374)te(cid:396)(cid:448)ie(cid:449)e(cid:396) i(cid:374)flue(cid:374)(cid:272)es the pa(cid:396)ti(cid:272)ipa(cid:374)t"s (cid:396)espo(cid:374)ses. Focus on obtaining focused pieces of information from more participants.
