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is vantages of Q-sorts, , ides in-depth study of small-sample populations., oe tates exploratory research. :, , Fa : a, ; Awell-develo ed theoretical literature supports and guides its usage, * qhrough a person s self-reference, it captures subjectivity in operation,, «There isD0 need of the participants to be randomly selected., ‘litate * ae ion. rare Saeed, , « Inte or,, , Rather than superficial study of large number of cases, it concentrates on in-depth analysis, of small number of cases. Ne ,, ne, , Disadvantages of Q-sorts, , + It takes much time and is an exhaustive procedure., « Itis not very cost-effective. :, * Only a Small sam. can be studied., , + Cannot be used to test hypothesis., + Population and sample is not rigidly distributed., , VIGNETTES, , In order to explore people’s beliefs, perceptions, and meanings about some particular, situations,vignettes act as a.valuable technique, and are especially helpful for important, , inquiry areas that may not be promptly accessible through any other mean. However, the, problematic relationship between action and belief must be heeded when utilizing this, technique, either in isolation or as part of a multimethod approach. In social research,, Vignettes may be used for three primary purposes: (1) to clarify people’s judgements,, (2) to permit actions in context to be explored, and to give a less threatening and less, personal way of exploring sensitive topics. Vignettes facilitate participants to qualify the, situation in their own terms in qualitative research. The questions posed to respondents, after vignettes are either open-ended (How do you describe the quality of life of these, cancer patients?) or close-ended (Rate the quality of life of this cancer patient on a 10-point, , Seale given below.)., , Definitions, oe : : thod that can elicit perceptions, opinions, beliefs, and attitudes, Gc ort oh. ae eae depicting scenarios and situations. Vignettes are employed, in different ways and for different purposes:, , Finch (1987) describes them as ‘ ies about hypothetical characters in specified circum“ aad to whose situation the interviewee is invited to respon, : : rp. short scenarios in written or pictorial form, intend ici onses to typical, , (Hill, 1997)