Qualitative Literacy: A Guide to Evaluating Ethnographic and Interview Research

Qualitative Literacy provides criteria to assess qualitative research methods, such as in-depth interviewing and participant observation, and is essential for studying inequality, poverty, education, public health, immigration, the family, and criminal justice.

Format: Hardback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 23 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

When faced with two qualitative studies, one rooted in empirical evidence and the other intriguing but lacking in scientific rigor, how can we discern the difference? This is a crucial question for social scientists, researchers, students, evaluators, policy makers, and journalists who rely on qualitative research to understand complex social phenomena. Qualitative Literacy offers a set of criteria to evaluate qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviewing and participant observation. These methods are invaluable in exploring topics such as inequality, poverty, education, public health, immigration, the family, and criminal justice. However, the sheer volume of ethnographic and interview studies published annually on these issues raises the question of their scientific quality. This guide aims to provide social scientists, researchers, students, evaluators, policy makers, and journalists with the tools necessary to identify and evaluate the quality of field research.

Empirical evidence is the foundation of qualitative research. It involves collecting data through observation, interviews, and other methods to gain insights into the experiences, perspectives, and behaviors of individuals or groups. Empirical evidence is grounded in facts and can be tested through statistical analysis to ensure its reliability and validity. On the other hand, qualitative research relies on non-numerical data, such as words, images, and narratives, to understand the meaning and context of a phenomenon. While qualitative research can be rich and insightful, it is more susceptible to bias and subjectivity. Researchers may have their own beliefs, values, and assumptions that can influence their interpretation of the data, leading to biased conclusions.

To mitigate these risks, it is essential for qualitative researchers to adhere to rigorous ethical guidelines. This includes obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring anonymity and confidentiality, and avoiding any potential harm or exploitation. Additionally, qualitative researchers should use triangulation, a method that involves collecting data from multiple sources and perspectives, to enhance the reliability and validity of their findings.

In conclusion, when faced with two qualitative studies, one rooted in empirical evidence and the other intriguing but lacking in scientific rigor, it is crucial to assess their quality using the criteria provided by Qualitative Literacy. Empirical evidence is the foundation of qualitative research, and it should be grounded in facts and tested through statistical analysis to ensure its reliability and validity. Qualitative researchers should adhere to rigorous ethical guidelines and use triangulation to enhance the reliability and validity of their findings. By doing so, we can better understand the complex social phenomena we seek to understand and make informed decisions based on evidence-based research.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 145 x 218 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520390652