The Nature of Qualitative Research

1. The Nature of Qualitative Research Chapter Eighteen

2. The Nature of Qualitative Research Chapter Eighteen

3. What is Qualitative Research? Many researchers are more interested in the quality of a particular activity than in how often it occurs or how it would otherwise be evaluated. Research studies that investigate the quality of relationships, activities, situations, or materials are frequently referred to as Qualitative Research. There is a greater emphasis on holistic description.

5. General Characteristics of Qualitative Research Bogdan and Biklen (1998) describe five general features of Qualitative Research: The natural setting is a direct source and key element Collection is in the form of words or pictures Researchers are concerned with how things occur Construction of a picture while data is being collected vs. knowing what to expect Special interest in the participants� thoughts

7. Philosophical Assumptions Differences between the paradigms of qualitative vs. quantitative are expressed in how one approaches an investigation. Quantitative approaches are associated with positivism, relying on empirical data to explain phenomena. Postmodernism presents a more intensive critique of research. First, it denies the existence of underlying structures Second, all natural things are changing constantly over time

8. Steps in Qualitative Research All qualitative studies have a distinct starting and ending point. They begin when the researcher identifies the phenomenon and ends when a final conclusion is made. The steps are as follows: Identification of the phenomenon to be studied (foreshadowed problems) Identification of the participants in the study (purposive sample collecting) Generation of hypotheses Data collection (continual observance) Data analysis Interpretation/Conclusions

9. Approaches to Qualitative Research The following are approaches to qualitative research: Biographical Study Phenomenological Study Grounded Theory Study Case Study Intrinsic Case Study Instrumental Case Study Multiple or Collective Case Study Ethnography

10. Sampling in Qualitative Research Typical Sample Critical Sample Homogeneous Sample Extreme Case Sample Theoretical Sample Opportunistic Sample Confirming Sample Maximal Variation Sample Snowball Sample

11. Generalization in Qualitative Research A generalization is usually thought of as a statement or claim that applies to more than one individual, group, or situation. The value of a generalization is that it allows us to have expectations about the future. A limitation of qualitative research is that there is seldom justification for generalizing the findings of a particular study. Due to this problem, replication of qualitative studies becomes more important than for quantitative studies.

12. Ethics and Qualitative Research Ethical concerns affect qualitative research as do other forms of studies. The following are important to repeat: Identities of participants should be protected Participants should always be treated with respect Researchers should do their best to ensure that no physical or psychological harm will come to anyone who participates in the study

13. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Reconsidered Qualitative and Quantitative Research can be used together. Descriptive statistics are sometimes used to provide quantitative details in a qualitative study. The most widely held view is that there is no one best method.