Hunter+and+Smyth++++++Project+and+qualitative+learning+objectives+10.1

1. There are a few strengths and limitations of qualitative research. For strengths, qualitative research provides rich data. This is true because our interviews were from Japanese people, and provide insight to their thinking on prejudice. It is good for investigating complex and sensitive issues, such as discrimination in a certain country. For limitations, qualitative research can be very time-consuming. We noticed that this was true because it took us over 80 minutes to conduct 5 interviews. Data analysis can be difficult because of the amount of data, and no clear strategy for analyzing it. We simply had to stick to what we've learned so far and make the best we can out of it. Also, Interpretation of data may be subjective. This is pretty much true, because one takes what they have learned and applies it in their way.

2. The same ethical considerations are used in qualitative research that are used in quantitative research. Informed consent should always be obtained when possible, but dispensation may be provided from ethics committees when covert observation takes place. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance, especially in really sensitive cases such as human sexuality and domestic violence. Harm needs to be avoided, of course. Our project was fairly ethically sound, we maintained anonymity and and since permission forms were signed, there was informed consent. We harmed no one, as we were just conducting interviews and kept names confidential.

3. We used purposive sampling in our study. Since we were studying discrimination in Japan, we needed to speak to Japanese people to get their opinions. This was a specific group of people we targeted.

4. Researcher bias is the researcher not paying enough attention in studies. This means that some data will be lost, which can severely skew, or even completely change, results. This is a bad effect and should be avoided. Since our project is completely filmed, it is very hard for us to miss data. Participant expectations are the participants' ideas of the research and the researcher. This could determine what the participants say, which can alter results because their true feeling are not being express. It is possible that there was some of this in our study, but most people asked if we wanted an honest opinion, so hopefully very little of this occurred.

5. Rolfe (2006) said that credibility in qualitative research corresponds roughly to the amount of internal validity in the research. This means our research was very credible, because we took steps to insure that our ethics were sound, and that our findings could be applied to different age groups in Japanese society. Our only issue is that we didn't survey more adults. Trustworthiness is when the findings of the research reflect what is described by participants. This means that no alteration of the data occurs. Our research is then completely trustworthy, as we are showing 1 shot, raw video footage where no editing occurred at all. This is important, because the more credible and trustworthy the study is, the more solid the findings. Better findings give us better insights into an issue.

6. Triangulation is using different perspectives to see if the data interpretation can be supported. If these different perspectives support the findings, this vastly increases credibility and trustworthiness. We did not really do triangulation, so we do not get the boost from it. However, we worked hard to establish credibility and trustworthiness.

7. WIllig (2001) established two types of reflexivity. There is personal reflexivity, which involves reflecting on the ways in which factors such as values, beliefs, experiences, interests, and political commitment in the researcher can affect the research. It also involves thinking about how the research has affected the researcher. There is also epistemological reflexivity, which is considering how knowledge was generated in the study. Determining what is possible to have been generated is one step in doing this. The design of the study and data analysis must also be considered. These things forces the researcher to think about what knowledge has bee found, and which assumptions were underpinned. Reflexivity increases credibility and trustworthiness by forcing the researcher to admit there are other ways to tackle the issue, and to keep them from being too narrow minded. We did not have much reflexivity.