CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to;

1. Classify the characteristics of qualitative research

2. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research

3. Know when to use Qualitative research design.

NATURALISTIC INQUIRY- Qualitative research is naturalistic because it studies a person or group in his/its natural setting. Qualitative researcher often collects data in the field where participants experience the issues or problems under study.

INDUCTIVE ANALYSIS- Qualitative research allows the researcher to immerse in a subject. The researcher starts with guide questions which continuously change depending on what he wants to know. After gathering all the needed data, he generalizes the new insights gained from the investigation.

 HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE. Qualitative research applies holistic approach which states that “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. Qualitative researcher tries to develop a complex picture of the problems or issues under study.

RESEARCHER AS THE KEY INSTRUMENT. Qualitative researcher collects data himself through examining documents, observing behavior, and interviewing participants. Researcher uses guide questions personally designed by him. He does not tend to use or rely on questionnaires or instruments developed by other researchers.

 DYNAMIC SYSTEM. Qualitative research is not concerned with having straightforward, right or wrong answers. In addition, change in the study is common because the researcher is not concerned with finding one answer only. In other words, qualitative researcher is open to change his research process as the research process succeeds. UNIQUE CASE ORIENTATION. Qualitative researcher must remember that every study is special and he must observe in- depth attention to the subject matter.

 CONTEXT SENSITIVITY. Qualitative researcher is sensitive to the cultures, traditions and beliefs of his subjects. EMPATHIC NEUTRALITY. Ideally, qualitative researcher is non-judgmental when compiling findings.

DESIGN FLEXIBILITY. Qualitative researcher can continue to do research on other topics or questions that emerge from initial research. He is flexible to the research design applicable to the subject.

 MULTIPLE METHODS. Qualitative researcher typically gathers multiple forms of data, such as interviews, observations, and documents, rather than relying on a single data source. Then he reviews all the data and make sense of them, organizing them into categories or themes that cut across all of the data sources.

THEMATIC ANALYSIS. Qualitative researcher develops themes in reporting his findings. His reports reflect multiple perspectives of the participants in the study. These multiples perspectives are categorized into themes for comprehensible analysis.

 STRENGTHS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

✔     Captures perception of local people

✔     Details why people do certain things

✔     Is interactive

✔     Makes it easier for the people to understand the research findings

✔     Allows the researchers to make use of different senses and look at non-verbal dimensions.

✔     Is responsive to field conditions; hence flexibility of research design

✔     Develops partnership with communities

✔     Effective in exploring sensitive issues

✔     Gives voice to the participants

✔     Captures diversity of experiences and perceptions that are segmented according to different lines of social differentiation

✔     Conveys the complexity, ambiguity and dynamic nature of experiences of participants

✔     Elucidates complex processes (e.g. how men and women make decisions, negotiate resources, manage risk differently).

✔     Identifies contextual influences, causalities and drivers of vulnerability.

✔     Allows participants to freely exchange information or ideas.

✔     Is best for intimate and sensitive issues

Weaknesses of Qualitative Research

❖    Is not easily replicable

❖    Entails long periods in the field

❖    Ethnographers experience difficult social pressures in the field and it requires them to exercise considerable social skills.

❖    Generates vast amount of qualitative data that can be very difficult to analyze

❖    Is influenced by the researcher’s perceptions hence it is subjective

❖    Is less effective and efficient for solving specific decision problems

❖    Lack of review of related literature or in-depth information

❖    Cannot guarantee that a wrong decision will not be made

❖    Cannot compensate due to the lack of factual knowledge

❖    Requires multiple sessions, that’s why, aside from time consuming, it is more expensive.

❖    Gathered data are valuable but difficult to present

❖    Data created through qualitative research are not always accepted.

When to Use Qualitative Research

✔     Little or no research has already been conducted on the topic.

✔     Objective of research is somewhat exploratory and naturalistic.

✔     There is a need to explore some ideas in depth to understand thoughts, feelings or perceptions.

✔     There are some uncertainties about the issues that may be influencing behavior.

✔     There is a need for a fresh approach in studying the problem.

✔     To establish new theories or principles

✔     To have in-depth assessment on behavioral issues and emotional, attitudinal and personality factors

✔     To make sense of complex situations or social processes

✔     To interpret the finding of quantitative research

✔     To preserve cultural heritage

✔     To explore new problem