Answering questions about qualitative research

Write in essay format using full sentences and an academic tone. Refer to scholarly course readings in your answers as much as possible. Your responses should not reference material outside of the course readings. If the question asks for you to include an example, you may refer to examples shared in lectures or from readings (please refer to them). You may also use your own examples drawn from experience conducting / planning research in this class.

Make clear which question you’re answering. Include a short introduction and conclusion signaling the focus or argument developed in your answer. Include APA citations and ref list.

Questions:
1) Imagine you are planning on conducting a qualitative research project on older Canadians’ use of fitness tracking devices such as FitBit or Apple Watch. You plan on using a mixed-methods approach, conducting in- person and online participant observation to understand older Canadians’ perspectives on their perceived health in connection with their device use. You are also interested in understanding how this demographic (adults aged 55 years and older living in Ontario) discuss these technologies and use their devices to interact and build a sense of community. As such, you plan on adopting a participant observer role in the planned primary field sites: public parks in Ontario cities and select ‘fitness enthusiast’ groups on Facebook. With this context in mind, please answer the following questions: i) what is participant observation and how is it often practiced in face-to-face contexts and in online contexts; ii) how you would propose collecting relevant online data about users’ views of their health in relation to their device usage; and iii) what ethical principles are important to consider given the field sites proposed.

2) Grounded theory was a key term and consistent topic of conversation throughout our class. What is grounded theory and why is it fundamental to qualitative research methods? Where does it take place in the research process? How has it impacted you as a qualitative researcher in this class? Please order your answer into four key parts in order to answer this question fully: i) Define the term grounded theory, ii) refer to an example of a method of qualitative data collection that uses grounded theory, iii) provide a discussion of how grounded theory connects with core characteristics of qualitative research methods, and iv) reflect on how grounded theory has also applied to your research experiences in COMS 3002B this term.