Qualitative Research PDF

University of Mustapha Stambouli - Mascara Teacher: Mrs. MAROUF Faculty of Letters and Languages Department of the English Language and Literature Third Year Students QUALITATIVE RESEARCH INTRODUCTION: Q...

University of Mustapha Stambouli - Mascara Teacher: Mrs. MAROUF Faculty of Letters and Languages Department of the English Language and Literature Third Year Students QUALITATIVE RESEARCH INTRODUCTION: Qualitative research methods are gaining popularity in academic social sciences, and taking part in the international development of research. Qualitative researchers are interested in the participant’s belief, and experience. Qualitative research does not include statistical analysis and calculation (Brink, 1993). The roots of qualitative research lie in Social and Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy, Psychology, History, and Sociology. WHY CONDUCT QUALITATIVE RESEARCH? Because some research questions cannot be answered using (only) quantitative methods. DATA COLLECTION: Qualitative methods reflect a different underlying research paradigm than quantitative research. The choice of methods can be based on the underlying theoretical framework used by the researcher. The methods of qualitative data collection most commonly used in Social Sciences and Humanities are document study, observation, interviews and focus groups. Document study Document study (also called document analysis) refers to the review by the researcher of written materials. These can include archives, annual reports, guidelines, policy documents, diaries or letters. Observation Observation is particularly useful to gain insights into a certain setting and actual behaviour – as opposed to reported behaviour or opinions. Qualitative observation can be either participant or non-participant in nature. During observation, the observer takes notes on everything or certain pre-determined parts of what is happening around him. Interview Interview is used to gain insights into a person’s subjective experiences, opinions and motivations. Interview can be distinguished by the degree to which it is structured, open (e.g. free conversation or autobiographical interviews) or semi-structured. Semi- structured interview is characterized by open-ended questions and the use of an interview guide. Focus groups Focus groups are group interviews to explore participants’ expertise and experiences, including explorations of how and why people behave in certain ways. Focus groups usually consist of 6–10 participants and are led by an experienced moderator following a topic guide. They can involve someone who takes note of the non-verbal aspects of the situation. Depending on researchers’ and participants’ preferences, the discussions can be audio- or video-taped and transcribed afterwards. SAMPLING IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: In qualitative research, it is not necessary to collect data from everyone in a community in order to get valid findings. Only a sample of a population is selected for any given study. The study’s research objectives and the characteristics of the population determine which and how many people to select. CHOOSING THE “RIGHT” METHOD: The choice of single or combined methods has to be based on the research questions that need to be answered with regard to whether the chosen method(s) can accomplish this – i.e. the “fit” between question and method. It is necessary for these decisions to be documented when they are being made, and to be critically discussed when reporting methods and results.