MODULE 2: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DAILY LIFE

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

 is an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem based on building a complex

holistic picture formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants and conducted in a natural
setting.
 Involves data in the form of words, pictures, descriptions or narratives.
 Rather than choosing a large number of people as samples, it tends to select participants
purposefully to learn about the range of behavior related to the research focus in order to gain
understanding of the complex phenomena in question.
 Starts with general research problems and not formulating hypotheses (although hypotheses may
change from the data analysis and may shift during the course of study).
 Selects a small, purposive sample (not random) which may or may not be representative of the
larger population
 Uses relatively unstructured instruments (e.g. interviews, observations, etc.) and “intense” data
collection (e.g. over extended periods of time)
 Presenting results mainly or exclusively in words and de-emphasizing generalizations to the
population.
 Researcher awareness of their own orientations/biases/experiences and personal interaction in the
context with an emphasis on flexibility in the research.

FEATURES OR CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES

 Qualitative studies occur in natural settings.

 Researchers engage in the situation and attempts to make sense of it.
 Researchers attempt to explain why something is taking place.
 It uses detailed, thick descriptions and uses direct quotations to capture experiences and
perspectives.
 There is a focus on depth rather than breadth.
 The researcher is immersed in the details and specifics of the data to discover categories,
dimensions and interrelationships.
 There is attention to process and an assumption that change is constant and ongoing.
 It assumes that each case is special and unique.
 Findings are placed in a social, historical, and temporal context limiting generalizations across
settings, time and space.
 Complete objectivity is impossible, but pure subjectivity undermines credibility.
 The research is open to adaptation as understanding deepens and/or situation change.
 Kinds of data collected include interview transcripts, field notes, photographs, audio recordings,
videotapes, diaries, personal comments, memos, official records, textbook passages, and anything
else that can convey actual words or actions of people. Data are not reduced to numbers.
 It persuades by reason, recognizing the social nature and the influence that perspective has on the
ways people know.
 It writes from the perspective of the participants rather than from the researcher’s own perspective.

LIMITATIONS OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES

 Subjectivity is inherent.
 Labor intensive
 Misunderstanding of novices
 Time Intensive
 Limited Generalizability

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 MODULE 2: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DAILY LIFE

SOME QUALITATIVE APPROACHES

1. Case Study Research
 One case is selected of particular interest and is observed on a regular basis over a period
of time. The focus of the research is on process.
 The question is focused on what can be learned from this particular case (individual or
group).
2. Grounded Theory
 The focus is to unravel elements of experience and use interrelationships to build theory that
enables the researcher to understand the nature and meaning of an experience for a
particular group of people in a particular setting.
 The research stresses open processes in conducting the research rather than fixed methods
and procedures.
3. Biography/Autobiography/Life Stories
 It seeks to report on and document the history of a person’s life.
4. Ethnography
 Combines participant observation and many of the characteristics of non-participant
observation.
 Attempts to obtain a holistic picture of a group, setting, or situation.
5. Phenomenology
 Determines what an experience means for the persons who have had the experience and
are able to provide a comprehensive description of it.
6. Historical
 Are past, rather than present, oriented and thus use different data collection techniques than
other qualitative approaches.
 The purpose is to gain insights or reach conclusions about past persons or occurrences as
well as current events
 Data include newspapers, legislative documents, court, testimony, diaries, committee
meeting records, yearbooks memos, relics, photographs, reports, and sometimes interviews
with living reporters of past events.

ETHICAL GUIDELINES IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

 Respect for persons
 Beneficence
 Justice
 Respect for communities

What is informed consent? It is a mechanism for ensuring that people understand what it means to
participate in a particular research study.

How do we achieve informed consent? The person should be told the purpose of the research, what
is expected of a research participant, including the amount of time likely to be required for the
participation, expected risks and benefits, the fact that participation is voluntary, how confidentiality will
be protected, and the name and contact information of the local lead investigator to be contacted for
questions or problems related to the research and local ethics committee.

Written or Oral individual consent

Reference: Bueno, D (2016)., Practical Qualitative Research Writing

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 MODULE 2: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DAILY LIFE

Worksheet # 1

Discuss the importance and uses of qualitative research in your daily life through an acrostic of the word
‘qualitative’.
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(Please have this worksheet signed by your parent/guardian as a means to monitor your progress in this subject.)

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Signature of Parent/Guardian Over Printed Name

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 MODULE 2: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DAILY LIFE

Worksheet # 2

Describe the characteristics, processes, and ethics of qualitative research.

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(Please have this worksheet signed by your parent/guardian as a means to monitor your progress in this subject.)

_______________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Over Printed Name

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 MODULE 2: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN DAILY LIFE

Worksheet # 3

Give at least 5 situations where research ethics principles are not followed.

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(Please have this worksheet signed by your parent/guardian as a means to monitor your progress in this subject.)

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Signature of Parent/Guardian Over Printed Name

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