Adult Development Psychology | Qualitative Methodology | Psychedelic Research
Problem-Focused Qualitative Methods
I have developed a range of qualitative methods for psychology and the social sciences, that have been used in thousands of published research studies. The ethos the underpins all of them is a modular approach to problem-focused research; they can be combined as modules within flexible solutions to a diverse range of research problems. There is also a strong focus on an integrative, holistic ethos that allows for multiple research design options to be considered within singular coherent approaches.
The integrative approach to deductive qualitative research
Robinson, O. C., & Bailey-Rodriguez, D. (2025). Deductive qualitative research: An integrative approach to designing studies. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2025.2604773
Deductive qualitative research has the vital role of building on inductive work to further develop and consolidate theory, or to demonstrate weaknesses and issues in existing theory. In this article, we set out a five-part integrative approach for conducting deductive qualitative research, covering (1) appropriate aims and sampling strategies, (2) devising research questions, (3) data collection, (4) analysis processes, and (5) standards of quality. We argue that both case studies and multi-participant studies fit with a deductive ethos and provide guidelines for conducting both types of study. We suggest that hypotheses are best avoided in deductive qualitative research and provide guidance for formulating deductive research questions instead.
The integrative 4-point approach to sampling for qualitative interview studies
Robinson, O.C. (2014). Sampling in interview-based qualitative research: A theoretical and practical guide. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 11, 25-41. https://doi.org/1080/14780887.2013.801543
Sampling is a vital component of qualitative research, but there is little published guidance on how to do it within a pragmatic, flexible framework. My approach provides this much needed theory and practical guidance. The article has been cited over 7000 times.
The "DICE" framework for probing in qualitative interview and focus groups
Robinson, O.C. (2023). Probing in qualitative research interviews: Theory and practice. Qualitative Research in Psychology, online first. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2023.2238625
Probing is key to high-quality research interviewing. It is the process of using verbal prompts after a person has responded to a question, to gain more information about the previous answer. My 'DICE' approach provides a theoretical rationale and taxonomic framework to conducting probing, which is linked to practical advice. DICE stands for the four kinds of probe in the model; Descriptive, Idiographic Memory, Clarifying and Explanatory. Click here for the full text.
A video abstract about the DICE approach to probing
Structured Tabular Thematic Analysis - for analysis of brief texts
Robinson, O.C. (2022). Thematic analysis for brief texts: The structured tabular approach. Qualitative Psychology, 9, 2, 194–208. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/qup0000189
There are many forms of qualitative analysis designed for long texts such as interviews and focus group transcripts, but few that are designed to handle brief texts of a paragraph or less. This method has been developed for that task, and is being widely used across the social sciences. You can access a copy of the submitted version of journal article about it here.
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Brief practical guide: You can also view a practical guide to conducting Structured Tabular Thematic Analysis here.
Relational analysis: A bolt-on method for exploring relationships between themes in qualitative analysis
Robinson, O.C. (2011). Relational analysis: an ‘add-on’ technique for aiding data integration in qualitative research. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 8, 197-209.
​The innovation of “add-on” techniques to supplement existing qualitative methods can be seen as part of a move towards a pluralist, eclectic qualitative psychology. Relational Analysis can be used to help explore the full spectrum of possible relationships between analytical themes
within qualitative data.
