An approach to research that relies on general and narrative descriptions. It attempts to measure the full complexity of social phenomena to capture the perceived meanings of those studied.
Bryman (1988a:172) states that ‘qualitative research
is associated with the generation of theories’. However, Hammersley (1992) contested that it can also be used for theory verification. How qualitative research is different from quantitative research? Quantitative research has a usually a fixed design approach. It has its antecedents in the traditions variously labeled as scientific, natural science-based, positivistic, etc. It relies on studying phenomena through the use of numerical means. It is more interested in outcomes.
Qualitative has its antecedents in interpretative, case
study, ethnographic, descriptive research. It has a flexible design or a even multiple designs. It is more interested in processes. Its results are complex and rich. Researcher's point of view is part of the research findings. Why qualitative research?
For analyzing and researching concepts and
abstractions, qualitative research is required. Its purpose is to enhance our general knowledge about complex events and processes. Quantitative research is well-adapted to establishing relationships between variables but is weak in establishing reasons for them. Qualitative research methods can develop these explanations. General misconceptions about qualitative research Non-scientific Non-generalizable Non-reliability No validity Biased Intuitive Bridging the gap between qualitative and quantitative research Triangulation of the two methods. Qualitative methods look at small scale micro aspects of social life. Quantitative research is concerned with large scale, macro aspects. Combining the two can help to integrate both levels. Quantitative research are typically focused on the researcher's perspective. Qualitative research designs can follow the participants’ perspectives also. Combining the two can lead to rich results. Tools of qualitative research Commonly used tools: Interviews : semi-structured, non-structured Observations Focus groups Open-ended questionnaires
Less commonly used tools:
Stories Case histories Narratives Presentation and analysis of qualitative data
Finding themes and doing thematic analysis.
As it is usually dealing with conceptual precepts therefore the focus is on WHY and HOW. You have to categorize the themes. The categorization has to be substantiated with a rational explanation. Drawing conclusions in qualitative research Need to finish with a ‘bang’ stating the research questions that you have answered and what those answers are. In qualitative research the questions may change during the process. State ‘why’. More importantly you also tell the lessons learned from the conduct of the study. How what you have found links with to previous knowledge discussed in lit review. Pull the themes together. Specific suggestions for future research.