Advanced Qualitative Methods in Psychology
1. Focused Group Discussion (FGD)
Conceptual Foundation
A Focused Group Discussion (FGD) is a structured qualitative method where a small, homogeneous group discusses a specific psychological or social issue under the guidance of a trained moderator. Its theoretical foundation lies in symbolic interactionism and social constructionism, which argue that meanings are created through interaction.
Procedure & Stages
flowchart TD A[Research Objective] --> B[Participant Selection] B --> C[Moderator & Guide] C --> D[Group Interaction] D --> E[Recording & Transcription] E --> F[Thematic Analysis]
Classic Applications & Case Examples
- Health Psychology: FGDs used by WHO to understand vaccine hesitancy, revealing fear narratives that surveys failed to capture.
- Developmental Psychology: FGDs with adolescents to study identity formation, peer influence, and self-esteem.
- Community Psychology: FGDs in slum rehabilitation programs to understand collective perceptions of displacement.
Strengths
- Reveals shared meanings and social norms
- Captures group dynamics and emotional tone
- Useful in exploratory and applied research
Limitations & Ethical Issues
- Group conformity and dominance bias
- Confidentiality challenges
- Moderator influence
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2. Brainstorming Technique
Theoretical Background
Brainstorming is grounded in Gestalt psychology and creative cognition theory. It assumes that creativity emerges when evaluation is temporarily suspended, allowing divergent thinking to flourish.
Process Model
flowchart TD P[Problem Definition] --> I[Idea Explosion] I --> R[Recording All Ideas] R --> C[Clustering] C --> E[Evaluation] E --> S[Psychological Solutions]
Psychological Applications & Examples
- Clinical Psychology: Brainstorming coping strategies for patients with anxiety disorders.
- Organisational Psychology: Designing stress-reduction interventions in high-pressure workplaces.
- Educational Psychology: Developing inclusive learning strategies.
Strengths
- Encourages divergent thinking
- Reduces fear of judgment
- Efficient idea generation
Limitations
- Surface-level ideas
- Groupthink risk
- Not a theory-building method
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3. Grounded Theory Approach
1. Introduction and Rationale
The Grounded Theory (GT) approach is a qualitative research methodology aimed at the systematic generation of theory from empirical data. Unlike traditional research, where data are used to test pre-existing hypotheses, grounded theory begins with data collection and allows theory to emerge inductively.
Philosophical & Methodological Roots
Grounded Theory (GT) was developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967) as a reaction against forcing data into pre-existing theories. It is rooted in pragmatism and symbolic interactionism.
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2. Philosophical and Epistemological Foundations
Grounded theory is rooted in:
- Pragmatism — knowledge is evaluated by its usefulness
- Symbolic Interactionism — meaning arises from social interaction
- Interpretivism — reality is socially constructed
3. Schools of Grounded Theory
| School | Key Thinkers | Core Features |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Grounded Theory | Glaser | Emergent theory, minimal preconceptions |
| Straussian Grounded Theory | Strauss & Corbin | Structured coding, axial paradigm |
| Constructivist Grounded Theory | Kathy Charmaz | Researcher as co-constructor of meaning |
4. Core Procedures in Grounded Theory
(a) Data Collection
- In-depth interviews
- Participant observation
- Documents, diaries, narratives
(b) Coding Process
flowchart TD D[Raw Data] --> OC[Open Coding] OC --> AX[Axial Coding] AX --> SC[Selective Coding] SC --> TH[Emergent Theory]
Open Coding
Breaking data into discrete parts and labeling actions or meanings (e.g., “emotional withdrawal”, “coping through silence”).
Axial Coding
Linking categories through conditions, actions, and consequences.
Selective Coding
Identifying a core category that integrates all other categories.
5. Constant Comparative Method
Data are constantly compared with:
- Other data
- Emerging categories
- Previous interpretations
flowchart LR I1[Incident 1] --> COMP[Comparison] I2[Incident 2] --> COMP COMP --> CAT[Category Refinement]
6. Theoretical Sampling and Saturation
Theoretical sampling refers to selecting participants based on emerging theoretical needs rather than demographic representativeness.
7. Memo Writing
Memos are analytical notes written throughout the research process to capture:
- Conceptual links
- Researcher reflections
- Theoretical insights
8. Applications in Psychology
- Clinical Psychology: stages of recovery from depression
- Health Psychology: adherence to long-term treatment
- Trauma Psychology: identity reconstruction after abuse
- Organisational Psychology: burnout and moral injury
9. Strengths of Grounded Theory
- Produces context-specific theory
- Captures dynamic psychological processes
- Highly flexible and adaptive
10. Limitations and Critiques
- Time-intensive
- High researcher subjectivity
- Limited generalisability
11. Grounded Theory vs Other Qualitative Approaches
| Aspect | Grounded Theory | Phenomenology | Case Study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal | Theory building | Essence of experience | Holistic understanding |
| Outcome | Process theory | Meaning structure | Contextual explanation |
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