Qualitative Research Methods Overview

Qualitative Research Methods

• Qualitative research investigates phenomena in depth and holistically, collecting rich narrative materials using a flexible design.
• It is defined as the investigation of phenomena, typically in an in-depth and holistic fashion, through the collection of rich narrative materials using a flexible research design. (Polit and Beck, 2017)

Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms.
• Explain the characteristics of qualitative research.
• Discuss the usage of different types of qualitative research designs.
• Appreciate the important elements of a qualitative research study.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

• Qualitative: Aims to understand underlying reasons, motivations, and provides insights for generating hypotheses for later quantitative research. It involves a smaller number of non-representative cases, uses unstructured or semi-structured techniques, and generates exploratory, not conclusive, findings.
• Quantitative: Aims to quantify data and generalize results from a sample to a population. It uses statistical data, large samples (statistical generalization), and structured techniques such as questionnaires. Quantitative research results are conclusive and descriptive.

Qualitative Research Analysis

• Purpose: Understand and interpret social interactions.
• Studied group: Small, intentionally selected.
• Data type: Words, images, objects.
• Data form: Open-ended responses, interviews, participant observations, field notes.
• Data analysis: Patterns, features, themes identification.
• Researcher role: Can be known to participants, potentially including their characteristics.
• Results: Particular findings; less generalizable.

Qualitative Research Designs

• In-depth interviews: Explore individual experiences.
• Focus groups: Generate unique insights into shared experiences.
• Observations: Learn behaviors and interactions in natural settings.
• Ethnography: Study cultural aspects.
• Document review: Identify communication patterns.
• Case studies: Single case studies for in-depth investigation.

Steps in Qualitative Research

• Select relevant sites/subjects.
• Collect data.
• Interpret data.
• Analyze data.
• Collect more data.
• Tighten specification of questions.
• Write up findings.

Research Objectives and Questions

• Purpose of study: Exploratory, explanatory, descriptive, or predictive.
• Research questions: Examples include understanding what is happening in an industry, salient themes in participants' meanings, how patterns link, and events shaping a phenomenon.
• Data sources (samples): Pedestrians, motor vehicle drivers, urban planners, etc.
• Methods: Interviews, surveys, observations, etc.
• Examples of questions: What makes walking more likely, places preferred for walking, reasons for walking in certain places, etc.

Interview Methods

• Interviews collect relevant information for research.
• This process involves an interaction that can pursue depth of information.

Purposes of Focus Groups

• Gathering opinions, beliefs, and attitudes.
• Encouraging discussion about a specific topic.
• Providing opportunities to learn deeply about issues.
• Testing theoretical assumptions.
• Interpreting quantitative results.

Projective Techniques

• Techniques used to uncover underlying thoughts, feelings, and attitudes.
• Examples include association, completion, construction, and expressive techniques.
• Picture response is a type of projective technique.

Case Studies

• To study a single case in detail (e.g., patient, criminal).
• May not offer enough evidence for generalizations.

Grounded Theory

• A research method to develop theory grounded in data.
• It involves inductive, theory-discovery methodologies that allow the researcher to develop a theoretical account while grounding it in empirical observations.
• There is a continuous interplay between data collection and analysis.

Action Research

• Research style, rather than a methodology
• Focus is on community problem-solving.

Ethnographic Research

• Focuses on depth understanding via in-depth observation and involvement in a culture or group over an extended period.
• Participant observation enables researchers to share the subjects' experience.

Observation

• Recording behavior, especially of a sample, without interference.

Rigor and Quality in Qualitative Research

• Credibility: Prolonged engagement, persistent observation, triangulation data, peer feedback, member checks.
• Transferability: Thick descriptions, contextual details.
• Dependability: Detailed descriptions of research methods and decisions, audit trail.
• Confirmability: Triangulation to reduce biases, transparency.

Ethical Considerations in Qualitative Research

• Often focuses on sensitivity, participant anonymity, privacy, and maintaining researcher objectivity.
• Important protocols for data collection and analysis

Qualitative Data Analysis

• Analyze data by familiarizing oneself, revisiting research objectives, and developing a framework.
• Identify patterns, connections, and themes, and interpret meanings.