Characteristics of Qualitative Research

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Characteristics of Qualitative Research

• EDRS 6301-05
• Dr. Kielborn
• Summer 2001

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Qualitative Research is an umbrella covering
several forms of inquiry that help us understand
and explain the meaning of social phenomena with
as little disruption to the natural setting as
possible.

• Naturalistic inquiry
• Interpretative research
• Field study
• Case study

• Participant observation
• Inductive research
• Ethnography

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Qualitative Researchers

• Qualitative researchers are interested in
  understanding the meaning people have
  constructed.
• It is assumed that meaning is mediated through
  the investigators own perceptions.

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• Qualitative research is an effort to understand
  situations in their uniqueness as part of a
  particular context and the interactions there
  (Patton, 1985).

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• A second characteristic of all forms of
  qualitative research is that the researcher is
  the primary instrument for data collection and
  analysis.

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• A third characteristic of qualitative research is
  that it usually involves fieldwork. The
  researcher must go to the people, setting, site,
  institution, in order to observe behavior in its
  natural setting.

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• A fourth characteristic of qualitative research
  is that is uses an inductive research strategy.
  This type of research builds abstractions,
  concepts, hypothesis, or theories rather than
  tests existing theory.

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• Typically qualitative findings are in the form of
  themes, categories, concepts or tentative
  hypotheses or theories.
• The product of a qualitative study is richly
  descriptive.

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Ethics Revisited

• The subjects identities should be protected so
  that the information you collect does not
  embarrass or harm them.
• Treat subjects with respect and seek their
  cooperation in the research.

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Ethics Revisited

• Make it clear to the participants in the study
  what the terms of the agreement (consent form)
  are and abide by that.
• Tell the truth when you write up your final
  report.