Characteristics, Strengths

and Weaknesses, Kinds,

and Importance of
Qualitative Research
PREPARED BY: JUNILYN S.
ZOZOBRADO
Objectives:
01 describe characteristics, strengths, weaknesses,
and kinds of qualitative research; and

02 illustrate the importance of qualitative research

across fields.
Activity 1
(Recall)
Directions: Put a check (/) if the given
situation describes a qualitative
research, cross (X) if otherwise. Write
your answers on your notebook.
Activity 2
(Thought balloon)
Directions: Inside the thought balloon are
words associated with either quantitative or
qualitative research. Using the table provided,
list five (5) words each associated with
quantitative and qualitative research.
Activity 3 (Arrange
Me) Directions: Rearrange the jumbled letters
given on each item to get the correct words
associated with research. Write your answers on
your notebook.

Note: Definition of each word is provided to serve as

your clue.
Characteristics of
Qualitative
Research
Qualitative
research
can be easily characterized by carefully
observing how some research elements
such as: research design, data
collection procedure, and data analysis
have been put into considerations.
1. Qualitative research is
naturalistic.
researcher should unfold the study in a
natural manner, that is, the findings are
derived from the analysis of authentic
data gathered from the participants.
2. Qualitative research
is purposeful.
researcher should select the participants in a purposive
manner, that is, they will be selected because they either
have easy access to the information needed or simply have
the knowledge to provide a great deal of information
needed to the study. Hence, these participants are called
“information rich” in the context of research.
3. Qualitative research is
detailed.
the researcher should capture the direct
quotations of the responses of the
participant/s from the conducted
interview or observation.
4. Qualitative research
requires engagement and
neutrality
Direct contact with the people, situation, and
phenomenon under investigation should be established
by the researcher. Immersing oneself would enable
the researcher to acquire personal experiences and
insights which are essential to better understand the
phenomenon.
4. Qualitative research
requires engagement and
neutrality
Further, the researcher should also be neutral in
the responses and observations he/she may get
while engaging with the participant/s. The
researcher should likewise show openness,
sensitivity, and respect.
5. Qualitative research follows
an inductive procedure.

As the researcher immerses himself/herself in the phenomenon

under investigation, specific details and data will be gathered
from the target participant/s. These data then can be used to
discover emerging patterns and themes. Following an inductive
procedure, the researcher will start from exploring the
phenomenon and will end to confirming findings of the
works.
6. Qualitative research is
viewed in a holistic perspective.

it requires the researcher to view the whole

phenomenon under investigation in a
complex system, that is, different variables can
either cause or effect the phenomenon.
 Strengths and
Weaknesses of
Qualitative Research
It is known that a qualitative type of research focuses
more on explaining why subjects under
investigation think and behave in certain
ways.
As cited from University of Denmark Library
(2020), this type of research has its strengths and
weaknesses presented as follows:
Stre
1. Qualitative research
complements quantitative data.
Interview and Such instruments can provide
qualitative data that can be
observation are the
utilized as a support for any
common instruments
quantitative data appearing in
used in the conduct of a study, hence, a more reliable
a qualitative study. result will be ensured.
2. Qualitative research provides more
detailed information to explain
complex issues.
considering “information rich” participant/s, as well
as utilizing interview and observation as qualitative
research instruments, may enable the researcher to
gather more accurate data needed in explaining a
complex phenomenon.
3. Qualitative research is cost
efficient.
Small number of
Likewise, interview schedule and
participants is usually observation checklist as qualitative
considered in qualitative research tools demand the researcher
research. Hence, less to spend less resources unlike
resources will be needed to questionnaires as a primary tool
accomplish the study. utilized in quantitative research.
Weak
1. Qualitative research cannot
generalize the findings to the study
population.
Findings of the study might not be possibly
generalized to a larger population due to small
number of participants. Hence, replication of the
study is often suggested.
2. Qualitative research is more
difficult to analyze.
qualitative research
If data are not
presents non-numeric
critically analyzed and
data which are all based
on the subjective carefully interpreted,
responses of the results may become
participants. biased and even less
3. Qualitative research is time
consuming.
utilizes a small number Similarly, the analysis and
of participants, this, interpretation phase of the study
however, demands the also requires the researcher to take
researcher to spend more time in observing the
emerging patterns and themes
more time in dealing and
derived from participants’ provided
engaging with them. data.
 Kinds of
Qualitative
 focuses on subjective lived experiences of the
participants in order to understand phenomenon.

 Here, the researcher is concerned with the feelings of

the participants regarding a particular event or activity,
hence, the uniqueness of their lived situations can be
described.

1. Phenomenological
  Interview is the common instrument used for
its data collection with the suggested sample
size ranging from 5 to 25.

1. Phenomenological
Examples:
 A researcher aims to determine the challenges and
coping mechanisms of senior high school working
students in the second district of Bataan.

 A researcher aims to explain the lived experiences of

the COVID-19 survivors in the province of Bataan.
 Concentrates on the study of a group of people in a
particular environment.
 To characterize behaviors, cultures, challenges, and
possible occurring themes, the researcher is required to
engage himself/herself with the participants through
immersion for an extended period of time.

2. Ethnographic
 Observation, along with the use of interviews
and surveys, is an essential instrument for this
type of study.

2. Ethnographic
Examples:
 A researcher seeks to determine the cultural practices
and healthcare beliefs of the ethnic group living in
Bataan province.
 A researcher seeks to characterize the survival strategies
of families in an urban poor community.
 explain a phenomenon by developing a theory

 In comparison with a phenomenological study that

primarily describes lived experiences, grounded
theory aims to provide an explanation and theory
behind those lived experiences.

3. Grounded Theory
 Interview and supporting documents are
the commonly used data collection instrument
for its participants approximately ranging from
20 to 30 or until data achieve saturation.

3. Grounded Theory
Examples:
 A researcher attempts to conceptualize the breast
cancer survivorship process among Bataeños.

 A researcher attempts to generate a theory of defense

mechanisms of students who experience school
bullying.
 Allows the researcher to have an intensive
analysis of the phenomenon.
 To accurately describe the case through an in-
depth examination of a single person or single
institution.

4. Case Study
 With this, thorough interviews,
observation, and documentation are
all utilized as multiple data collection
instruments.

4. Case Study
Examples:
 A researcher aims to explain the causes of the
reading difficulty of grade 5 struggling readers.

 A researcher aims to describe the language

challenges of hearing-impaired students in a SPED
class.
 Concerned with the identification, evaluation, and
synthesis of past event data.
 Aims to understand present patterns and to
anticipate future choices through clearly relating the
past event data which are obtained from sources such as
documents, relics and artifacts, and oral reports.

5. Historical
Examples:
A researcher attempts to explore the nature and
context of the political leadership of Bataan
governors.
A researcher seeks to explore the development in the
courtship letter writing style among Bataeños.
 Life accounts of individuals based on their personal
experiences are typically obtained and analyzed.
 Unlike phenomenological research which focuses on describing
and explaining a phenomenon through the lived experiences of
the participants, narrative research focuses merely on the
nature of the story told by the participants.

6. Narrative
 Hence, phenomenological research may use narrative,
but narrative research does not necessarily need
phenomenological.
 Discourse analysis is one of the commonly and widely
employed approaches of narrative research.

6. Narrative
Examples:
 A researcher seeks to characterize the struggles faced by
student-athletes.

 A researcher seeks to describe the daily teaching

experiences of millennial teachers in the Schools
Division of Bataan.
1. What have you learned about
the characteristics, strengths,
and weaknesses of qualitative
research?

2. Differentiate how the

kinds of qualitative
research be used?
Groupie1
(Explain Me)
Directions: From the presented illustration of a community
below, choose one organization you perceived to be important in
conducting qualitative research. Then, explain how a qualitative
research may help the chosen organization.
Selfie 1
(Crossword Puzzle)
Directions: Identify the terms being asked
from the statements listed below.

Note: Crossword is provided to serve as your

hint.
Selfie 2
Directions: Read each statement
carefully. Choose the letter that
corresponds to the best answer.Write your
answers on your notebook.
Assignment
Directions: Research how to write a
good research title.
Thank You for
Listening!
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