PowerPoint slides from the Braun, Clarke & Hayfield 
   Qualitative Methods Online Teaching & Learning 
   Resources Collaboration (QMOTLRC)
    Topic overview
    oThis is the second of two lectures – each divided into three parts - exploring 
    the values, characteristics, and theoretical and philosophical foundations of 
    qualitative research.
    oThe aim of this second lecture is to provide further grounding in the 
    foundations of qualitative research - introducing some of the concepts and 
    terminology that define qualitative research.
    oThis lecture explores some of defining characteristics of qualitative research 
    and how qualitative research differs from quantitative research.
    oThis lecture also builds on the discussion of different orientations to qualitative 
    research in the first lecture by considering experiential and critical qualitative 
    ‘camps’.
    oFinally this lecture explores the key concepts of subjectivity and reflexivity and 
    the ontological and epistemological foundations of qualitative research.
    oThere are some opportunities to pause the recording and reflect on your 
    knowledge and understanding of qualitative research.
   Lecture overview
   oPart 1: Key characteristics of qualitative research
   oPart 2: Experiential and critical qualitive research
   oPart 3: Key (theoretical and philosophical) concepts in 
    qualitative research
   The growth in qualitative 
   research (in psychology)
   “the growth in qualitative research in recent 
   years... has been phenomenal. Although the 
   volume of qualitative research in psychology 
   relative to quantitative methods remains 
   modest, and despite the exclusion of 
   qualitative research from many of the most 
   prestigious outlets, qualitative articles are 
   being published increasingly in mainstream 
   psychology journals. As well, there has been 
   an explosion in dedicated textbooks, journals, 
   conferences, and workshops attempting to 
   address the demand for qualitative research 
   from students, researchers, practitioners, and 
   policy makers.” (Madill & Gough, 2008: 254)
   The emergence of a qualitative research 
   paradigm – the example of psychology
   • Qualitative ideas and approaches have been part of psychology 
    from its inception.
   • However, quantitative methods employed within a (post)positivist, 
    experimental paradigm have dominated the discipline.
   • The more subjective, interpretative introspective (qualitative) 
    techniques of early psychology became classified as ‘unscientific’.
   • It wasn’t until the 1980s that qualitative approaches regained a 
    foothold, and subsequently flourished, in some areas of 
    psychology.
   • Their (re)appearance reflected the development of a number of 
    oppositional approaches within the social sciences, which 
    challenged mainstream (post)positivist empiricist research design 
    and practice.
   • It’s important to understand that qualitative research is not simply 
    a complementary approach to quantitative research.