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Bias and Debiasing Strategies in Qualitative Data Collection

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: A widespread view has it that qualitative research in the social sciences is of poor quality because it lacks effective debiasing methods. In this paper, I zoom in on researcher bias in qualitative data collection. First, I provide a brief outline of qualitative data collection and develop a suitable account of bias. On that basis, I argue that qualitative researchers may mitigate researcher bias through the combined use of two strategies that capitalize on main characteristics of qualitative data collection. Lastly, I defend the two debiasing strategies against possible objections to their effectiveness.

Source: Philosophy of Science

DOI: 10.1017/psa.2024.70

Author: Julie Zahle

Institution: University of Bergen

Language: English

Topic: Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,450

Funders: Helsingin Yliopisto, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens