Qualitative Research: Definition and Importance (PDF)

## UNIT I: Qualitative Research and Its Importance in Daily Life **Content Standard** - The importance of research in daily life. - The characteristics, processes, and ethics of research. - The difference between quantitative and qualitative research. - The kinds of research across fields. - The va...

## UNIT I: Qualitative Research and Its Importance in Daily Life **Content Standard** - The importance of research in daily life. - The characteristics, processes, and ethics of research. - The difference between quantitative and qualitative research. - The kinds of research across fields. - The value of qualitative research, its kinds, characteristics, uses, strengths, and weaknesses. - The importance of qualitative research. - The techniques in listing references based on the APA format. - Ethical standards in writing related literature. **Performance Standard** - Decide on suitable qualitative research in different areas of interest. - Use appropriate kinds of research in making decisions. **Looking into the details of a news report is quite similar to the act of doing actual research – you look for a news event; verify if it is true; then, write a narrative based on what you have found out.** ### Lesson Spotlight: The Importance of Research **WHY do you need to study research? You might be wondering why you are already being taught about research, though you are still in High School.** **Here are some practical reasons why it is important to study research at this early stage:** 1. **It trains you to look for answers without jumping to conclusions.** Research is systematic and follows a certain process. When you conduct research, you are trained that when looking for answers to questions, you do not simply make assumptions; but instead, you look for credible data and factual evidence to satisfy your search for answers. 2. **It enhances your critical thinking skills.** Admittedly, doing research can be difficult. However, as difficult as it may be, learning about how to do research will actually help you enhance your critical thinking skills. Research will really make you think of not merely about the "who" and the "what," but also about the "why" and the "how." 3. **It broadens your knowledge.** Doing research helps you explore more information apart from those which you already know. You expand your knowledge which is beneficial for your growth. 4. **It provides learning opportunities outside the typical learning environment.** Sometimes, research is conducted through situations outside your regular classroom. You are given more opportunities to learn about things through experimentation, interviews, observation, and other similar activities. ### Differentiating Inquiry from Research **Inquiry and research are two terms that are closely intertwined.** You can assume they are the same, because both seek new information. However, there are distinct features that make them different. **Simply put, inquiry looks for answers to questions.** When one inquires, it's often to gain new knowledge, resolve doubts, or solve problems. In a way, an inquiry is a simpler learning process as compared to research. **Research pertains to a process of collecting and analyzing data to increase understanding of a topic or issue.** As compared to an inquiry, research involves a more complex and systematic series of steps and uses scientific methods to answer its questions. | Inquiry | Research | |------------------------------------ |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Inquiry is the process of finding answers to questions. | Research is the systematic and formal investigation and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. | | Easier to carry out than research studies | Tends to be more systematic and formal | | Main aim is to solve problems, resolve doubts, or augment knowledge | Main aim may involve gathering new information or testing a theory | | | | **Source: (https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-inquiry-and-research/)** ### Characteristics of Research 1. **Research is systematic.** A set of procedures known as the research process helps guide research. It starts with observation and identification of a problem. Once a problem has been identified, the researcher proceeds to the gathering of data that eventually leads to the solution. It's important that each part of the process is significant in order to make the research fruitful. 2. **Research is empirical and analytical.** All research must be based on factual and verifiable observation or experience. Research data should have been thoroughly analyzed and given the appropriate interpretation before arriving at a conclusion. 3. **Research is cyclical.** Research becomes a cycle with the recommendations made from the results and conclusions of the current study. From the recommendations, further studies may be implemented, which will then trigger a new cycle following the same process of experimentation. 4. **Research is relevant and timely.** All research should be about topics which are new and up-to-date. Further, research is also expected to help in improving the lives of the people in communities. A perfect example of this was when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world by surprise in the early 2020. Multiple organizations scrambled to make research to find a cure for the disease. Medical researches conducted during this period focused mainly on how to combat COVID-19, as it was relevant and timely at this period in time. ### The Process of Research Here are specific steps to be followed when undergoing a research process: 1. **Identify your research problem.** Look for a topic which you are interested in, and find out if there is something about it that you can further study and research. 2. **Gather information about your topic.** Look for preliminary information that can help you check if the topic you have chosen is worth exploring as a research material. 3. **Look for more materials and related literature.** Once you have verified that your chosen topic is indeed researchable, proceed to look for more information and materials that will aid you in conducting the research. 4. **Review the literature you have gathered.** Synthesize the written information that you have researched. 5. **Identify your research design.** Decide on the design that is most applicable for your study. Likewise, determine the possible data measurement procedure that you can use. 6. **Collect and analyze your data.** Once you have identified your design, you may now start collecting actual and original data. When you have gathered enough data that you need, analyze and summarize your findings. 7. **Draw conclusions and report results.** From your findings, draw out your conclusions and give your recommendations. 8. **Prepare the draft your paper.** Once you have verified and studied all the information you have gathered, start drafting your paper. Organize the information systematically. 9. **Cite your sources.** To establish the credibility of your research paper, make sure that you properly acknowledge the sources which you have used. ### Brief Overview of the Types of Research The most common (and probably the easiest way to recognize) types of research would be according to the following: **1. According to the research method used** * **a. Pure Research** (also called basic research or fundamental research) is conducted with the sole objective of contributing to existing knowledge by gathering information. Pure research focuses on answering basic questions. * **b. Applied Research** If pure research focuses on understanding a certain knowledge, applied research refers to studies that are conducted in order to apply a particular knowledge. For example, Wilhelm Roentgen discovered how to produce x-rays in the 1800s. Years after that, Roentgen studied further how the discovery of x-ray could be applied in the field of medicine. **2. According to the purpose of research** * **a. Descriptive Research** This is a type of research that is used to describe the characteristics of a population. It gathers information about subjects. It focuses on questions about "what" more than "how," "when," or "why." * **b. Correlational Research** Correlational research investigates the relationships between two or more variables without the researcher controlling or manipulating any of them. * If there is a negative correlation, the variables change in opposite directions: As one increases, the other variable decreases, and vice versa. * If there is a positive correlation, both variables change in the same direction: As one variable increases, the other variable also increases, and vice versa. * If there is zero correlation, there is no relationship between the variables. * **c. Action Research** Action research is a form of study designed to solve problems. It involves systematic observation and data collection which can be used for reflection and decision-making process. **3. According to the type of data used in the research** * **a. Qualitative Research** Qualitative research generally uses nonnumerical data gathered from first-hand observation, interviews, questionnaires, case studies, and similar data-gathering devices. * **b. Quantitative Research** Quantitative research refers to a systematic investigation of phenomena conducted by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical, mathematical, or computational analysis. * **c. Mixed Methods Research** As the term implies, this type of research uses a combination of numerical and non-numerical methods of gathering data. **Generally**, there are many types of researches and these types that have been mentioned are just some of them. It could also be possible that research designs could be a combination of two (or more) of these types, depending upon the purpose of the research study. ### Qualitative Research Defined **Qualitative research is an approach to the study of human behavior that relies on the analysis of narrative data in order to create an interpretation of the meaning of these behaviors from the perspective of the participants themselves, within their own social context**. **Strengths of Qualitative Research** * It is very useful for exploratory research and hypothesis generation. * It may be used as an instrument for understanding human behavior, understanding and interpreting social interactions, and even changes in society. * It does not limit the responses of the respondents to set answers; rather, it allows them to provide more data using their own words which the researcher will eventually interpret. * It allows more complex aspects of a respondent to be studied. * The researcher's experience on the subject matter is vital in interpreting the gathered data. **Limitations of Qualitative Research** * It is too reliant on the subjectivity of the researcher's analysis, views, and interpretations. * The validity and reliability of the data is sometimes questionable due to its subjectivity. * It is time-consuming. * It is labor-intensive. * The following are the types of qualitative research, using Creswell (2015, 2014): * **Grounded Theory:** Grounded on the views of the participants, this type of qualitative research generates a general explanation of the process, action, or interaction among people. (Sample topics: causes of employee turnover in a company; finding the perspectives of learners regarding their current class setup) * **Ethnography:** This type of qualitative research is used in describing, analyzing, and interpreting a cultural group's shared patterns of behavior, beliefs, and language that develop over time. (Sample topics: observing frontline workers in the midst of their duties during the pandemic; observing teachers adapting to the online and hybrid form of learning delivery) * **Narrative Research:** This type of qualitative research describes the lives of individuals, collects, and tells stories about these individual's lives, and writes narratives about their experiences. This design has strong philosophical underpinnings and typically involves the conduct of interviews. (Sample topics: the changing role of teachers in the "new normal" education; the adjustments of marginalized learners with online learning) * **Phenomenological Research:** This type of qualitative research helps in describing the actual experiences of individuals as explained or described by the participants themselves. It aims to focus on a specific phenomenon and explain why this has greatly impacted the participants. (Sample topics: the actual experiences of barangay volunteers during the election period; the actual experiences of first-time voters during the pandemic) * **Case Study:** This type develops a detailed study and in-depth analysis of a case, often referring to a program, event, activity, process, or about one or more individuals. (Sample topics: cases of anxiety and depression during online classes; cases of change in eating habits during the pandemic) ### Lesson Highlights: * Inquiry is the process of finding answers to questions, while research is a systematic and formal investigation in order to establish facts and generate conclusions. * Research, in general, is systematic, cyclical, empirical, analytical, relevant, and timely. * Research follows a series of steps as it is conducted. This series of steps is called the research process. * Research may be classified according to method (pure, applied); according to purpose (descriptive, correlational, action); or according to data needed (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method). * Qualitative research is a research method which is more subjective as compared to quantitative research. It focuses more on the interpretation by the researcher of the data, based from observations made by those who participated in the study. * The data collection methods employed in qualitative research include observations, interviews, and focused group discussions. * The common types of qualitative research include the grounded theory, ethnography, narrative research, phenomenological study, and case study. ### The Process of Research Here are specific steps to be followed when undergoing a research process: 1. **Identify your research problem.** Look for a topic which you are interested in, and find out if there is something about it that you can further study and research. 2. **Gather information about your topic.** Look for preliminary information that can help you check if the topic you have chosen is worth exploring as a research material. 3. **Look for more materials and related literature.** Once you have verified that your chosen topic is indeed researchable, proceed to look for more information and materials that will aid you in conducting the research. 4. **Review the literature you have gathered.** Synthesize the written information that you have researched. 5. **Identify your research design.** Decide on the design that is most applicable for your study. Likewise, determine the possible data measurement procedure that you can use. 6. **Collect and analyze your data.** Once you have identified your design, you may now start collecting actual and original data. When you have gathered enough data that you need, analyze and summarize your findings. 7. **Draw conclusions and report results.** From your findings, draw out your conclusions and give your recommendations. 8. **Prepare the draft your paper.** Once you have verified and studied all the information you have gathered, start drafting your paper. Organize the information systematically. 9. **Cite your sources.** To establish the credibility of your research paper, make sure that you properly acknowledge the sources which you have used.