Handout for Qualitative Research

Research Definition
• Research derives new knowledge, generally involving studious inquiry and a search for
new theories in order to contribute to an existing academic wealth of knowledge
(Oldfield, 2015).
• Research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of
knowledge (Shuttleworth, 2011).
• Research is a systematic process of collecting and logically analyzing information (data)
to gain new knowledge or to complement an existing one (Adanza, 2002).

Characteristics of Research

OBJECTIVITY-analyzing and interpreting the research data without being influence by

personal feelings in representing facts.
PRECISE-the researcher must make sure that every single fact presented in either textual or
numerical manner is right.
VERIFIABLE-completeness of parts of a research report is necessary. Having one important
element or research ambiguous or missing, the report in its entirely may not warrant verifiability.
PARSIMONIOUS-simply means reporting facts with a relatively simple presentation and
discussion of parts.
EMPIRICAL-this can be done by interview (face to face, telephone, survey, email) or
observation. Research data that are obtained from observations or experiences are considered
empirical.
LOGICAL-research report is generally presented coherently and consistently and with correct
reasoning.
PROBABILISTIC-one ultimate goal of a research is to validate theory, the reason for
conducting a scientific inquiry. The findings warrant at least a likelihood of occurrence of a
certain events or phenomena under investigation.

Research According to Methodology

Quantitative Research- is concerned with inquiring about certain phenomenon or event,

individual’s behavior, culture, practices and values such as beliefs and perception.
Quantitative Research-also dwells on investigating certain phenomenon or event wherein data
are usually characterized by numerical measures.
Mixed Methods Research -uses both qualitative and quantitative research traditions.
Research According to Inquiry
1. Rationalistic Approach
 This type of inquiry begins with an existing scholarly theory using formal
instruments in gathering data.
  One important consideration of the researcher is to validate or test the theory
having due regard of the theory assumptions.
2. Naturalistic Approach
 The researcher investigates the individual’s thoughts, values, perception, and
even actions wherein understanding human behavior is the researcher’s main
concern.
2.1 Ethnography-Describing and interpreting a cultural-sharing group.
2.2 Phenomenology-Understanding the essence of the experiences.
2.3 Grounded Theory-Developing a theory grounded in the data from the
field.
2.4 Case Study- Developing an in-depth description and analysis of a case or
multiple case.
2.5 Narrative-Exploring the Life of an individual
3. Developmental Research
 This type of inquiry utilizes systematic techniques and introduces innovations
based on scientific research findings.
 The researcher’s aim is to develop new materials, devices or services that are
largely designed to improved man’s way of living.
Research According to Purpose
1. Basic (Fundamental or Pure) Research
 The research finding’s practical application is not a concern in this type of
research.
 It carries out the research process mainly to develop fuller scientific knowledge.
2. Applied Research
 It carries out to find answers to research problem and apply knowledge in certain
situation.
 One typical example of applied research is action research where the researcher
studies a phenomenon, introduces intervention, and applies new knowledge.

Philosophical Worldview refers to a basic set of beliefs that guide action.

Post-Positivism
• The postpositivist assumptions have represented the traditional form of research, and
these assumptions hold true more for quantitative research than qualitative research.
• This worldview is sometimes called the scientific method or doing science research. It is
also called positivist/postpositivist research, empirical science, and post positivism.
Constructivist Worldview
• Constructivism or social constructivism (often combined with interpretivism) is such a
perspective, and it is typically seen as an approach to qualitative research.
• Social constructivists believe that individuals seek understanding of the world in which
they live and work. Individuals develop subjective meanings of their experiences—
meanings directed toward certain objects or things.
 • The goal of the research is to rely as much as possible on the participants’ views of the
situation being studied.
Transformative Worldview
• A transformative worldview holds that research inquiry needs to be intertwined with
politics and a political change agenda to confront social oppression at whatever levels it
occurs (Mertens, 2010).
• Thus, the research contains an action agenda for reform that may change lives of the
participants, the institutions in which individuals work or live, and the researcher’s life.
• Transformative research uses a program theory of beliefs about how a program works
and why the problems of oppression, domination, and power relationships exist.
Pragmatist Worldview
• Pragmatism is not committed to any one system of philosophy and reality. This applies to
mixed methods research in that inquirers draw liberally from both quantitative and
qualitative assumptions when they engage in their research.
• Individual researchers have a freedom of choice. In this way, researchers are free to
choose the methods, techniques, and procedures of research that best meet their needs
and purposes.
• Thus, for the mixed methods researcher, pragmatism opens the door to multiple methods,
different worldviews, and different assumptions, as well as different forms of data
collection and analysis.

Researchers’ Notebook (entries)

Basic entries in the researchers’ notebook when used for consultation:

• Date of consultation:
• Time duration of consultation:
• Place of consultation:
• Key detail of agreements/instructions/queries/etc.
• Attested by: (Signature of research personnel)
Basic entries in the researchers’ notebook when used for student-researchers’ meeting:
• Date of meeting:
• Time duration of meeting:
• Place of meeting:
• Present members:
• Absent member:
• Key detail of agenda/agreements/etc.
• Attested by: (Signature of all members present)
Basic entries in the researchers’ notebook when used for implementation of other research
activities:
• Name of activity:
• Date of activity:
• Place of activity:
• Present members:
• Absent member:
• Key detail of relevant insights, experiences, events
• Attested by: (Signature of all members present)