NATURE OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Qualitative research is a process of naturalistic inquiry that seeks in –

depth understanding of social phenomena within their natural settings. It
relies on the direct experiences on human beings as meaning making
agents in their everyday lives. Qualitative research is concerned with
developing explanations of social phenomena or social aspects of our
world or answer questions such as - why people behave the way they do,
how opinions and attitudes are formed, how people are affected by the
events that around them, how and why cultures have developed in the
way they have, the differences between social groups and so on.

Frankel (2007), defined qualitative research as research that investigates

the quality of relationships, activities, situations or materials. It is
described by its aims, methodologies and the kind of data collected to
understand different facets of social life. The nature of qualitative
research is described in the following points.

1. Qualitative research usually involves inductive view between

research and theory that is, it is concerned with the generation of
new theory emerging from the data. Inductive approaches are
generally associated with qualitative research. This approach
necessitates the researcher beginning with a completely open mind
without any preconceived ideas of what will be found. The aim is
to generate a new theory based on the data.
2. It is interpretivist in that is seeks to understand social world
through people's interpretation of it.  Interpretive research is a
research paradigm that is based on the assumption that social
reality is not singular or objective, but is rather shaped by human
experiences and social contexts (ontology), and is therefore best
studied within its socio-historic context by reconciling the
subjective interpretations of its various participants
(epistemology).
 3. Constructivist, in that social life is understood to be outcome of
interactions and negotiations rather than fixed structure to which
individuals conform and react. Constructivism is the recognition
that reality is a product of human intelligence interacting with
experience in the real world. ( Davis Elkind). Constructivism
accepts reality as a construct of human mind, therefore reality is
perceived to be subjective.
4. Naturalist in that disturbance to social world is minimized.
Naturalistic inquiry refers to a paradigm of inquiry with two major
features: a low degree of manipulation or control of the variables
prior to the inquiry and a low degree of constraints imposed on the
outcomes of the inquiry. Qualitative methods seek to describe not
the frequency but the behaviours, beliefs, and feelings of the
respondents in a setting

ROLE OF THE RESEARCHER

The researcher’s role in qualitative research is critical, as he or she

collects data and implements analysis. The role of a researcher is
outlined below.

1. Foremost, it is essential that the qualitative researchers

(especially those dealing with sensitive issues) estimate and
assess the impact the research will have on both; the
participants and themselves. It requires an approach on part of the
researcher such that the transition to the field is smooth and the
researcher doesn’t face difficulties and inhibitions in approaching
and interacting with the individuals concerned.
 It is now accepted that a researcher may face varied
challenges during the course of the study. Some of the issues and
challenges identified by researchers are :
A). Rapport formation : it is an essential process and of vast
importance to a qualitative researcher. Rapport formation
allows the participants to feel more comfortable and flexible
in his conduct during the course of the research. It allows a
qualitative researcher to build trust, mutual understanding
and cooperation with the research participants. .

B) . Reflexivity: Qualitative researchers are interested in

how meanings are produced and reproduced within
particular social, cultural and relational contexts. During
this process a researcher becomes aware of what he is
exploring and the approach he/she is going to follow.

C) . Subjectivity: A qualitative researcher is concerned with

exploring human subject and therefore subjectivity plays
an important role in determining the course of his/her
research. During the course of analysis of the area of
research the researcher is able to identify and come to terms
with his/her own biases, prejudices and preferences.

D). Nature of "Truth" : For a qualitative researcher meaning

are never fixed and stable. It keeps changing with
changing social and cultural contexts. Therefore, in a
sense reality and truth is actively constructed by the
researcher.
2. Entering the research Field : Often the job of a qualitative
researcher demands the researcher to closely unravel the life of
another individual which more than often includes talking about
stressful and traumatic events in their life. This may take one
sitting with the research participant or a number of them
depending upon the research undertaken. Since matters
sensitive to the participant are being discussed, it is essential
that the researcher is mindful of his conduct and the rapport
formation is well developed to ensure the participant’s comfort.

3. Self Disclosure on the part of a qualitative researcher : To make

the research process more fruitful and meaningful, a qualitative
researcher engages in self disclosure in order to put his/her subjects
at ease and also to eliminate hierarchy in the research process.

4. Process of the Interview and collecting data : Since qualitative

research attempts to explore the behavior of individuals in
their natural surroundings, the process of data collection is
also human centric wherein traits such as compassion, concern,
empathy, enabling, involvement, sharing, support, tenderness, and
trust are of utmost importance to the researcher. In addition to
caring theory, researchers often use the emotion work theory to
outline the conduct of the researchers. A qualitative researcher
is required to be caring, concerned, patient and compassionate.

5. Analysis of Data : While analyzing the data, a qualitative

researcher needs to approach the data with a sense of caution
while transcribing oral testimonies and accurate transcription is
the most important step of data analysis. Following transcription
the researcher is required to subject the data to the most
appropriate analysis technique such as narrative analysis,
 content analysis, grounded theory etc. depending on the nature
of the data and the requirement of the researcher.

Ethical Issues involved in Qualitative Research

1. The fundamental research ethics or principles

 Respect for individuals requires a commitment from the
researcher to ensure the autonomy of research
participants.
 Respect for communities confers on the researcher an
obligation to respect the values and interests of the
community in research and, wherever possible, to protect the
community from harm.
2. Informed consent for qualitative research. The individuals taking
part in the research must be told
 the purpose of the research
 What is expected of a research participant, including the
amount of time likely to be required for participation
 Expected risks and benefits, including psychological and
social
 The fact that participation is voluntary and that one can
withdraw at any time with no negative repercussions
 How confidentiality will be protected