Course:LFS350/Week Approaches to Inquiry
Overview
- In the plenary session, we will explore quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research approaches
- In tutorial rooms, you will review your project progress and participate in a peer-review process for receiving feedback on your outline.
Objectives
After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
- Compare and contrast qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research methodologies
- Define and describe case study methodology
- Articulate key framing strategies from Miewald and Ostry (2014) reading
Key Terms + Concepts
- Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods research
Required Readings + Resources
- Gibb, N., & Wittman, H. (2013). Parallel alternatives: Chinese-Canadian farmers and the Metro Vancouver local food movement. Local Environment, 18(1), 1–19. 'Retrieved through the UBC Library Website.
- Kodish, S., & Gittelsohn, J. (2011). Systematic Data Analysis in Qualitative Health Research: Building Credible and Clear Findings. Sight and Life, 25(2), 52–56. Retrieved through the UBC Library Website.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research
Mixed Methods Research
Analysis of Parallel Alternatives
This study is an excellent example of a mixed methods approach to investigating issues of food security and food justice at a regional level, similar to the work that most groups in the course are conducting. Now that you have completed and received feedback on your project proposals, you will be able to identify the same components in this article. Drawing on the insights from the videos on quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods inquiry, we will focus on the following elements of the paper (see bullet list below). In two weeks, we will return to this reading to look more closely at how the author's analyze their data, report results and integrate their findings with current research in the field in their discussion. This will begin the process of preparing you for completing your final report.
In lecture, we will deconstruct Gibb and Wittman's article to reveal the connections between the following:
- Purpose
- Significance
- Objectives
- Background + Context
- Research Questions
- Methods
Tutorial Session
In your tutorial session, your TA will guide you through the following:
- (15mins) Individual and group discussion of key concepts and themes from lecture
- (35mins) Group progress report and check-in
- (50mins) Peer-review of outlines. Give and receive feedback on outlines, paying attention to Clarity, Coherence, and Logical Conclusions. Your final outline is due on Friday, to be submitted through Connect.
Additional Material
- Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches (Chapter 1). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
- Weiler, A. (2014, February 4). The elephants in Vancouver’s sustainable food movement. Georgia Straight. Retrieved from http://www.straight.com/news/579421/elephants-vancouvers-sustainable-food-movement
An article in the Georgia Straight by an LFS alumni which raises interesting questions about whose voices are being heard in the conversation about the alternative food movement in Metro Vancouver.