Qualitative Research Notes

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[1] Characteristics of Qualitative Research Design...

a) Researcher uses an Emic lens:

The researcher investigates a phenomenon in say a language or culture, primarily to
study key internal elements and their functioning. It's taking an insider
perspective... and qualitative researchers are attempting to understand a
phenomenon from a participant's perspective. It's trying to put yourself in the
place of the people or thing that is the focus of your study.

b) Researcher is the data collection instrument:

The researcher is an integral part of the design of your study. You are out there
doing interviews, listening to people, conducting focus groups, observing
behaviors, reading documents, etc. And your particular lens on the world is
affecting how you are interpreting that data. It's therefore very important as a
qualitative researcher to be aware of your world view, your philosophy of
knowledge, as well as your pre-existing approach to the topic and perhaps some
biases or ideas you might have coming in to the study. In other words, acknowledge
your positionality up front in your research report. Because you are the data
collection instrument, you need to be very clear with the people who are
participating in your study or who reading your results about your position in that
research.

c) Fieldwork - natural settings:

QR is focused on real world situations as they evolve... as they unfold naturally.
It's non-manipulative, it non-controlling... in other words, QR is not about
controlled experimental designs. As a qualitative researcher you need to be open to
whatever emerges from your study... maybe what you hear from your participants is
not what you expected. In other words, allow your findings to emerge.

d) Inductive approach - theory building:

QR is primarily about coming up with theoretical explanations or descriptions about
the phenomenon you are studying. It should be based on inferences drawn from what
has been studied.

e) Focus on rich description:

The qualitative researcher needs to be very detailed, very focused on allowing the
people who are reading about your study feel as though they are part of the
setting, they must have a great understanding of what's going on.