Qualitative research

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
LESSON 2
MR. ROBINSON CLOYD L. CHUA
MRS. ANA LIZA CAÑONAZO
Learning Objectives

DESCRIBES
ILLUSTRATES THE
CHARACTERISTICS,
IMPORTANCE OF
STRENGTHS,
QUALITATIVE
WEAKNESSES, AND
RESEARCH ACROSS
KINDS OF QUALITATIVE
FIELDS
RESEARCH
BASIC
CHARACTERISTICS
OF QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
INTERPRETIVE
Allows the researcher to produce or create
meanings out of the data collected based on
the researcher’s understanding. The
researcher becomes a key instrument in the
research process.

Ex. A study on Gender discrimination will

have a different result from a male and
female researcher because both will have
their own interpretation of data based on
their gender. Personal biases may be a strong
factor.
INDUCTIVE
It starts from individual
perceptions and/or experiences of
research participants with the aim
to draw out common patterns or
themes from their perceptions
and experiences.
 NATURALISTIC
Data is collected in the natural setting or environment of the
phenomenon or participants of the study.
The natural setting is a source of data because it is where the
phenomenon under study or human research participant of the
study is ordinarily situated or normally functions.
 5 TYPES OF
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
 NARRATIVE
RESEARCH
Focuses on stories or narratives of individuals.
Selecting from families, indigenous groups,
business organizations.
Collects data by documenting stories, reports
individual narratives or experiences
Chronologically arranges the story according to
the meanings given by participants to the stage
of the stories
Ex. Autobiographies and Biographies
ETHNOGRAPHY
Describes, examines, interprets the shared and learned patterns
of behavior, belief, knowledge, values and language of a culture-
sharing group (Harris 1968)
Study of people’s behavior in naturally occurring ongoing settings,
with focus on the cultural interpretation of behavior, words, or
actions (Firth 1961)
Emphasizes a detailed exploration of a group or culture
Clifford Geertz (1926 – 2006) popularized the use of thick
descriptions.
TEXTUAL RESEARCH
Method used to describe and interpret features or characteristics
of a text, such as written, recorded, visual message, images and
photographs.
Its root go back to biblical scholarships, law and literature.
Bible, Quran, constitution, social media, blogs
Though written texts we can know what people believe in,
understand their world.
https://qualitativeresearch.hk/index.php/qualitative-research-methods/textual-analysis/conducting-textual-analysis/
 Examines the meaning of “lived
experiences” of a reality,
PHENOMENOLOGY
phenomenon or concept.
Aims to reduce human
experiences of a phenomenon
common to individuals to a
“universal essence”.
Identifying what is common in
the descriptions of individuals
who experienced the same event.
Ex. Taal Volcano eruption –
experience of those who live Near
the crater.
 Provides detailed observations of a
phenomenon or group under study
Enables the researcher to examine the
many and different aspects of the case
under study.
Allows for investigation of the different
elements (everyday language, symbols,
practices) and aspects of the case under
study.
Ex. Export of skilled, homecare and
healthcare workers – nurses, doctors,
domestic helpers, welders, etc. to other
countries.
STRENGTHS OF
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
 1. It allows an investigator to explore
in-depth the human world through
their own words, experience,
UNIQUE language, beliefs, and knowledge
APPROACH of a particular human community
TO (e.g. Occupational group or
SCIENTIFIC indigenous group)
INVESTIGAT
2. It offers the potential of in-depth
ION
understanding of the human world
and human actions that no
quantitative methods could open.
 1. Health care providers observe
APPLICABLE patients physically, and health
TO insurers.
GOVERNME
2. Health insurance companies use
NTS, data to design and develop their
INDUSTRIES, products.
MEDIA AND
PROFESSION 3. Government give health surveys
ALS and use the data to implement
healthcare policies.
 TEACHES 1. Health care providers observe
STUDENTS patients physically, and health
TO VIEW insurers.
SOCIAL
2. Health insurance companies use
ISSUE OR data to design and develop their
PROBLEM IN products.
METHODICA
L AND 3. Government give health surveys
LOGICAL and use the data to implement
WAYS healthcare policies.
WEAKNESSES OF
QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
 1. Subjective interpretations, based
FINDINDGS on a few cases
ARE NOT
GENERALIZ 2. Data is not applicable to a general
ABLE audience. It is limited to the group
of people included in the study.
 1. Many and diverse
SUBJECTIVE 2. Methods are based on the
RESEARCH researcher’s ability, capacity,
METHODS perspective and personal
preference.
 1. Weeks. Months, years to come up with a
DATA finding.
COLLECTIO 2. In-depth interviews are time consuming.
N IS TIME Interviewees may provide too much
CONSUMING information and generate more questions
than answers.