Qualitative Research Method

Definition

Denzin and Lincoln (1994) well define that qualitative research focuses on interpreting
phenomena in the natural environment in terms of the meaning that people bring to these
environments. Qualitative research methods include personal experiences, introspection, life
stories, interviews, observations, interactions, and visual texts, which are important data
collections for people's lives.

Qualitative research method, that focuses on obtaining data through open-ended and
conversational communication. You can observe and record qualitative data. This type of data is
not numerical in nature. This type of data is collected through observational methods, one-on-
one interviews, focus groups, and similar methods. Qualitative data in statistics is also called
categorical data. Data can be arranged categorically according to the properties. Qualitative
research methods began with social and behavioral sciences. Our world today is more complex
and hard to understand what people think and perceive. Qualitative research methods are easier
to understand because they are more communicative and descriptive. Some tools of collecting
data are given below:

One-on-One Interview: In-depth interviews are one of the most common qualitative research
methods. Private interview is with one respondent at a time. This is purely conversational and
gives you the opportunity to get details from respondents. One of the advantages of this method
is that it provides a good opportunity to collect accurate data on what people believe and what
motivates them.

Focus groups: Focus groups are one of the most commonly used qualitative research methods
used to collect data. Focus groups typically contain a limited number of respondents. The main
goal of the focus group is to find answers to why and how to ask questions. One of the
advantages of focus groups is that you don't have to talk to the group directly. Nowadays, focus
groups can send online surveys for a variety of devices and collect responses at the click of a
button.

Observation: In this qualitative data collection method,

researchers immerse themselves in the environment in which their respondents are located,
keenly observe participants and take notes. This is called the observation process. In addition to
taking notes, you can use other documentation methods such as video and audio recording,
photos, and similar methods.

Case studies: This method collects data through in-depth analysis of case studies. The variety of
this method is evidenced by how to analyze both simple and complex objects using this method.
Sampling in Qualitative Research:

Qualitative sampling is the process of selecting a small number of individuals who will
contribute to the researchers understanding of the phenomenon under study.

Selecting Research Participants:

Purposive Sampling approaches

 Qualitative research most often deals with small, purposive samples. The researchers’
insights, gained through firsthand experience in the research setting, guide the selection
of participants.

 Qualitative sampling approaches include intensity sampling, homogeneous sampling,

criterion sampling, snowball sampling and random purposive sampling.

Intensity sampling: select participants who permit study of different levels of the research topic
for example, the researcher might select good and poor students, experienced and inexperienced
teachers.

Homogeneous sampling: select participants who are very similar in experience, perspective or
outlook, this produces a narrow, homogenous sample and makes data collection and analysis
simple.

Criterion sampling: select all cases that meet some set of criteria or have some characteristics,
the researcher might pick students who have been held back in two successive years or teachers
who left the profession to raise children and then returned to teaching.

Snowball sampling: select a few people who fit a researchers needs, then using those
participants to identify additional participants and so on until the researcher has a sufficient
number of participants.

Random purposive sampling: select more participants than needed for the study.