Formative Intervention: A Qualitative Research Design That Affords Causal Explanation?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 48
  In Roundtable Session: Perspectives on Data Analysis

Abstract

In the literature we identify various efforts to design qualitative studies in such a way that they afford causal explanations, next to being responsive to educational practice. In this paper we analyze a year long formative intervention study to explicate which aspects of the research design promote a qualitative causal explanation, using Maxwell’s work (2004b) as sensitizing concepts. Based on our analysis, we conclude that two elements could be added to Maxwell’s (2004a) framework: the integration of research in existing teaching practice and creating audit trail to disentangle different, and at times competing, motives. We conclude that formative interventions may be a way gather the evidence we need in ways that are responsive to educational practice.

Authors

• Larike Bronkhorst, Utrecht University

• Paulien C. Meijer, Utrecht University

• Bob Koster, Utrecht University

• Jan Vermunt, University of Cambridge