I need to measure how students have transformed over the course of one semester at university. I am open to suggestions of measuring criteria.
Dear Tahirih,
Most common qualitative tools (e.g. NVivo) would be up to the job. They would enable you to import textual data relating to different aspects of your situation which you could then analyse.
Please note that qualitative research is about evaluating, interpreting and validating, not measuring.
Dear Tahirih
I agree with Peter, you will need to work out which type of research paradigm you are intending to use. If you are intending to use qualitative, Grounded theory is a good way of interpreting multiple perspectives of similar responses to questions asked, particularly if you are interviewing. This can be achieved through Using software such as NVivo, but can also be achieved through manual data analysis. However, if you follow this route you will need to make sure that you apply to concepts identified by: Tracey for assuring excellence in qualitative research. Tracey, S. (2010). Qualitative quality: Eight ‘big tent’ criteria for excellent qualitative research. Qualitative Inquiry, 16, 837-851. These include - worthiness; rich rigour; resonance; and (iv) sincerity.
Hope this helps
Martyn
I agree that measurement is not typically a goal in qualitative research. But you certainly could talk to people in an open-ended way about what changed in their lives and the extent to which they perceive that their lives have been transformed.
If your goal is to measure the degree of transformation, can you say more about that?
Thank you for your responses. Very valuable. I think what I was looking for was a means to observe transformation. I am currently using this model (see attached) to look at cognitive, emotional and social transformation in first year international university students. But I am unsure of what kind of questions do I need to ask in the interviews to ensure I am focusing on transformation. David L Morgan, thank you for your suggestions - any further thoughts would be appreciated friends.
Tahirih
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