QUALITATIVE RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS STRENGHTS WEAKNESSES Prepared by Mary

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH CHARACTERISTICS, STRENGHTS, WEAKNESSES Prepared by Mary Krystine P. Olido

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Qualitative research has research questions and does not use hypotheses (Ponterotto, 2005) Qualitative research questions covers the description, clarification, and exploration of life experiences as they are lived and constituted in awareness; hence, “how” and “why” questions would usually be used (Polkinghorne, 2005)

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH The researcher as the instrument has personal biases over the phenomenon under study. But they are being controlled during data collection (Morrow, 2005; Patton, 2002) Selection of participants is based on their capacity to provide rich information (Morrow, 2005; Patton, 2002; Polkinghorne, 2005)

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Prefers theoretical sampling over static sampling. Theoretical sampling means that collection of data takes place one source at a time while static sampling implies collecting all data at the same time prior to analysis (Polkinghorne, 2005) Validation of qualitative data includes prolonged engagement in the field, triangulation, peer review, searching for negative cases, clarifying researcher bias, member checking, and external audits (Gittelsohn & Kodish, 2011).

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Relationship of the researcher to the participants, if there is any, is reported (Morrow, 2005). Sources of data include interview notes, participant observation, physical evidence, field notes, and documentaries. Indicate in detailed form how these data were taken (Patton, 2002; Polkinghome, 2005).

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Interview questions are in-depth with only a few global questions so that they will not supersede the in-depth questions (Morrow, 2005; Patton, 2002). Indicate the number of interviews and the length of each interview (Morro, 2005). Detailed description of the analysis of data is reported. How it has been conducted from the first until the last piece of data source (Morrow, 2005).

CHARACTERISTICS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Results are reported using the “thick descriptions. ” This means that descriptions are profound and contextual (Morrow, 2005; Patton, 2002). Presents a conceptual model (Morrow, 2005). Introductions and review of related literature is similar to the way quantitative researches are done (Morrow, 2005; Patton, 2002)

When to use qualitative research (Creswell, 2007) When a problem/issue needs to be explored – need to study a group or population, identify variables that needs to be measured, hear silenced voices. When there is a need for complex, detailed understanding of an issue , details can only be established by talking directly with people, going to their homes or places of work, and allowing them to tell stories unencumbered by what we expect to find or what we have read in the literature

When to use qualitative research (Creswell, 2007) When we want to empower individuals to share their stories, hear their voices, and minimize the power relationships that often exist between a researcher and the participants in a study. Researchers may ask them to review the research questions and collaborate during the data analysis and interpretation phases of research.

When to use qualitative research (Creswell, 2007) When we want to write in a literary, flexible style that conveys stories, of theatre, or poems, without the restrictions of formal academic structures of writing We conduct qualitative research because we want to understand the contexts or settings in which participants in a study address a problem or issue

When to use qualitative research (Creswell, 2007) To follow up quantitative research and help explain the mechanisms or linkages in causal theories or models. To develop theories when partial or inadequate theories exist for certain populations and samples or existing theories do not adequately capture the complexity of the problem we are examining

When to use qualitative research (Creswell, 2007) When quantitative measures and the statistical analyses simply do not fit the problem. Interactions among people, for example, are difficult to capture with existing measures, and these measures may not be sensitive to issues such as gender differences, race, economic status, and individual differences

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN ACROSS FIELDS

Strengths Uses limited number of samples High level of detail because it generates actual lived experiences Provides opportunities for in-depth understanding of phenomenon under study Can describe complex phenomena Data collected provides rich information Strong correlation between the observer and the data

Weaknesses Results gathered cannot be generalized Takes more time to do Personal biases are difficult to contain Less structured

Source: Creswell (2007). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. 2 nd Edition Ochoco, AD (2018). Practical Research I Teacher’s Guide