Discussion Questions

  1. List the primary components of qualitative data analysis strategies. Compare and contrast each of these components with those relevant to quantitative data analysis. What are the similarities and differences? What differences do these make?
  2. Does qualitative data analysis result in trustworthy results— in findings that achieve the goal of authenticity? Why would anyone question its use? What would you reply to the doubters?\
  3. Narrative analysis provides the “large picture” of how a life or event has unfolded, whereas conversation analysis focuses on the details of verbal interchange. When is each method most appropriate? How could one method add to another?
  4. Ethnography (described in Chapter 10), grounded theory, and case-oriented understanding each refer to aspects of data analysis that are an inherent part of the qualitative approach. What do these approaches have in common? How do they differ? Can you identify elements of these three approaches in this chapter’s examples of ethnomethodology, qualitative comparative analysis, visual sociology, and narrative analysis?