What is Qualitative Research?
Qualitative research is research that gives information about people's opinions. It is used to explore the reasons why people think what they do. Qualitative data is important for market-based research because it focuses on understanding the opinions of individuals through open-ended conversations.
The purpose of this study is to understand the main problem and to develop ideas and methods for future quantitative research. People typically use qualitative studies in opposition to quantitative research.
However, sometimes, they are not completely aware of the differences between qualitative vs. quantitative research. Many think that both serve the same purpose, which is not true.
Social scientists use a lot of different ways to study people. One way is qualitative research. It is used to find qualitative data that will help you understand the social life of the population you are studying. In this type, the emphasis is on micro-level interactions between people.
Types of Qualitative Research Methods
Researchers collect information about a group of people, places, or events by using different types of research. These are the most common ones to use when writing a research paper.
There are many types that include:
- Ethnography Method
Ethnography is a way of looking at human societies and cultures. It can be used to find out what people want and need. Ethnographers spend lots of time with people, asking them questions and making notes about what they do.
To do the fieldwork, you need to get involved with and also live with the group. This will let you know their goals, what they want, and why they want it. It will also help you understand their challenges and culture.
In this study, you have to define the cultural characteristics such as:
- Location
- Religion
- Tribal systems
- Shared experience
- Life style
Rather than giving surveys and interviews, researchers experience the culture. They look at it closely and see how it is. The first way to do this is to watch for a long time. But you also could ask those who have studied the same things as you before.
Ethnographic research is hard if the researcher isn't familiar with the group. They might not understand what people say, and they might make mistakes. So you need to make sure your data is correct before presenting it.
Elements of Ethnography Method
| Purpose | Elaborate on the cultural characteristics |
| Method | Identify the cultural aspects and variables by reviewing the literature. You can get involved in the environment and live with whoever you are studying. You can also collect data by watching and talking to the audience. |
| Analysis | Discuss the main parameters of culture |
| Outcome | Explain the social moral |
- Narrative Method
The narrative research method is used over a long period of time to put together the data. It takes a sequence of events to form a cohesive story. But it is similar to other stories and narratives because it starts with something and then reviews different situations in life.
Here, the researcher conducts in-depth interviews. They also read documents and review events that might have an impact on your personality. Interviews are sometimes done after weeks or months, or even years. The outcomes need to be presented in stories with themes.
This may also include the conflicts, tensions, and challenges that have become an opportunity for innovation.
Elements of Narrative Method
| Purpose | Getting data in the form of a cohesive story |
| Method | Review the sequence of events. Then interview people to find out what influenced them. |
| Analysis | Analyze different situations and opportunities. |
| Outcome | Present a story with a conflict, challenge, and themes. |
- Phenomenological Method
Phenomenological is a fancy word meaning the study of things and how they work. This kind of study focuses on different views and additions to what we know already. A phenomenological approach also looks at subjective experiences.
In this, a researcher used different ways to collect information about the phenomenon. These methods include interviewing people, going places, watching things happen, and asking questions. They also read documents about the issue.
This technique is about how people feel during an event. It takes into account their feelings. The database has themes to find out what is true.
Elements of Phenomenological Method
| Purpose | Describe the events, situations, and experiences from different angles |
| Method | Sampling and data collection can be done by doing interviews, watching people, surveys, and reading documents. Describing and writing the experience of the phenomena |
| Analysis | Classify the data and examine the experience |
| Outcome | A database is formed that describes a subject’s viewpoint. |
- Grounded Theory Method
A phenomenological study is about an event where you are describing what happened. A grounded theory is a way to understand what happened. It has reasons why something happens or how it happens. This helps to create new theories by collecting and analyzing data about the phenomenon.
A researcher used different disciplines to collect data. They included:
- Interviews
- Observation
- Literature Reviews
- Document Data Analysis.
Different coding techniques and large sample sizes are used to identify themes and develop a better theory.
Elements of Grounded Theory Method
| Purpose | Using the theory to develop new ideas. People use data and more information to find out what is happening. |
| Method | Data collection through interviews, observations, a literature review, and a document analysis. |
| Analysis | Analysis of sampling literature by theory formation. |
| Outcome | Examples from data support the theory. |
- Case Study
The case study approach is when you learn about a subject that takes an extended period of time. You have to understand the subject and gather data or information from various sources, including interviews, observation (direct), and historical documentation.
Case studies are done in different fields, like law, education, medicine, and social sciences. The case study can be either descriptive or explanatory.
Researchers can use this method when they want to find out two things:
- How something is done and why it was done. The behavior that they are looking at. How someone does something.
- And the context in which the action happens.
Elements of Case Study
| Purpose | Describe a person, event, or place in detail. |
| Method | Subjects direct interaction and observation. |
| Analysis | Analysis of experiences |
| Outcome | An in-depth description of the subject under observation |
- Historical Method
Historians study the past to understand present situations and predict future choices. A new technique, called the historical method, is based on a hypothetical idea tested by resources for potential challenges.
It also requires making an outline of the research. Lastly, the historical method presents findings in the form of a biography.
Elements of Historical Method
| Purpose | Describe and examines past events to understand present patterns and predict future scenarios |
| Method | Read the sources in the library. You will make questions. If you find information, save it or write it down. You will need to know if this data is reliable or not. Then make an outline of how you will collect data. |
| Analysis | Analysis of result by accepting or rejecting it |
| Outcome | Present a biography |
Types of Qualitative Research Examples
The document you are looking at has examples of qualitative research design. Keep this document for your guidance.
If you are assigned to write a qualitative research paper soon, this guide will help you. Different types of qualitative research methodologies can help you understand the behavior and motivations of people. They can also help you develop an original problem for your research.
If you are having trouble writing your paper, you can get help. EssayHours.com is an essay writing service that can write it for you. They have writers who have advanced degrees from U.S. universities and know how to use qualitative research methods to write the paper for you. So be sure that everything will be taken care of if they do it for you!
