Qualitative Data Analysis: Describe and Critique - Essay Example

Qualitative Data Analysis: Describe and Critique The qualitative study that has been chosen for the purpose of the current assignment is “Risk Management in the Rehabilitation of Offenders with Learning Disabilities: A Qualitative Study” by Heyman, Bob, Carol Buswell Griffiths, John L. Taylor, Gregory O'Brien. Research goal and research design of the chosen qualitative study: Research goal- The goal of the chosen study was to analyze the “tension between anamnestic risk judgements and attempted rehabilitation, in relation to divergent temporal frameworks through which staff and patients understand the long time periods, measured in years, which patients typically spent in the hospital.

” (Heyman et al. p.36) Research design- A Research design is an outline detailing the techniques and processes to be used in the collection and study of data. It enables researchers to be certain that the data obtained will enable them answer the research question(s) as clearly as possible. Qualitative research generates data that is based on the participants’ own categories of meaning, it is useful for studying a limited number of cases in depth, and tends to collect data in naturalistic settings.

(Heyman et al. p.38) For the purpose of the selected study the authors focused on in depth interview. For the purpose of the study a rural hospital in the North of England having 121 beds for male and 22 beds for female offenders with learning disabilities was chosen. Researchers initially conducted interviews with 13 staff members with two consultant psychiatrists, two clinical psychologists, one forensic service manager, three unit managers, three nurses, one social worker and one occupational worker.

None of the selected staff declined to take a part in the interview process. The main study was based on the case studies of 11 patients with nine male and 2 female. Two rounds of interviews were conducted with the patients. The first round of interviews with patients took into account their past life, apart from their offending, their feelings of their present hospitalized life, and their evaluation of their future prospects. Issues related to risk management were explored in depth. Selected staffs were also asked equivalent questions about the patient's history, their experiences with the patients and prospects of the patients.

In the second round of interview, patients were asked about their progress and experiences since the previous interview. The time gap between first and second interviews varied between 4 to 11 months. (Heyman et al. pp.39-40) Author’s comment on the research design and its validity: With respect to the mythology in the study, the author commented that “The findings of small-scale qualitative studies should not be over-generalized, but can illuminate both particular organizational forms and wider cultural and psycho-social issues”.

(Heyman et al. 41) One of the major short comings which question the validity of the study was the very small sample size. The study was focused on the patients of only one hospital. Patients’ mental state may depend on the atmosphere in which they live as well as on the treatment facilities offered by the hospitals. Thus, results in this case should not be generalized. Differences between qualitative and quantitative research: Quantitative research reveals information that is subjective because the participants’ input serves as the primary source of information to the researcher.

Types of data collected in quantitative research include the answers in response to conducted surveys, the statistical information that can be found either through the use of surveys or through a more expanded study, the comparison data that can be collected between one individual or group and another, and data that is raw and needs to be coded on a yes/no basis. On the other hand, qualitative research generates data that is based on the participants’ own categories of meaning, it is useful for studying a limited number of cases in depth, and tends to collect data in naturalistic settings.

Types of data collected generally involve the opinions and beliefs of the researcher and the subjects that are being examined, through the use of various instruments. Instruments used to collect the data include case studies, interviews, focus groups and observation. (Heyman et al. pp.36-40) Source: Heyman, Bob, Carol Buswell Griffiths, John L. Taylor, Gregory O'Brien. Risk Management in the Rehabilitation of Offenders with Learning Disabilities: A Qualitative Study, Risk Management, Vol. 4, No. 2 (2002), pp. 33-45.