Approaches to

Qualitative
Research
 Phenomenological Research

An approach to human inquiry that

emphasizes the complexity of human
experience and the need to study
that experience holistically as it is
actually lived.

e.g. The Lived Experiences of …..

The Meaning of …..
 Grounded Theory Research

An approach to collecting and

analyzing qualitative data with the aim
of developing theories and theoretical
prepositions grounded in real-world
observations.
 Ethnographic Research

An approach to human inquiry for

investigating cultures that involves
collection, description, analysis of data
to develop a theory of cultural behavior

Use to learn about, understand or

describe people and their interactions in
their natural setting.
 Historical Research

A narrative description or analysis

of events that occurred in the
remote or recent past.
 Case Study

Intensive exploration of a single

unit of study, such as a person
family, group, community, or
institution.
Critical Social Theory
- Critical theorists and constructivists

- see/view reality from a dynamic

standpoint; reality is shaped by social,
political, cultural, economic, ethnic and
gender values

- a philosophy of science based on a

belief that revealing the unrecognized
forces that control human behavior will
liberate and empower individuals
 Philosophical Inquiry

- “A form of disciplined inquiry for the

purpose of discerning general traits
of reality and principles of value”
(Mitchell and Pilkington, 1999, p. 256)
 Historical Research
- all knowledge has a historical dimension;
historiography provides individuals with a
way of knowing the past

- “the past is present in every person and in

the cultural and institutional world that
surrounds them” (Tholfsen, 1977, p. 248)

- historians must know the historical

conditions of the period they are studying
 Historical Research

- Knowledge of the past helps to inform

most other research designs that
include explanatory background that
establishes the phenomenon under
study – a knowledge of various social,
political and economic factors that
affect events, ideas, people, interests in
the subject; and creativity in approach
Participatory Action Research

Three key elements

• people
• power and
• praxis
▪….female, male, adult, children,
farmers, fisherfolks,urban poor, etc…

▪ process of critical inquiry is informed

by and responds to the experiences
and needs of oppressed people
▪ Power is crucial to the construction of
reality, language, meanings and rituals of
truth (Foucault, 1973)

▪ PR promotes empowerment through the

development of common knowledge and
crucial awareness which are suppressed
by the dominant knowledge system.
 (Lather, 1986, Maguire, 1987)

▪ It recognizes the inseparability of theory and

practice and critical awareness of personal-political
characteristic.

▪ PR is grounded in an explicit political stance and

clearly articulated value-based principle of social
justice

▪ It challenges practices that separate the researcher

from the “researched” and promotes the forging of
a partnership between the two (Freire, 1970; 1974)
▪ brings isolated people together around common
problems and experiences

▪ valorizes muted voices, devalued experiences as the

foundation for understanding and critical reflection

▪ arrives at negotiated knowledge and solutions to

problems

▪ provides context to claims

 Participatory
action research
challenges practices that separate the
researcher from the researched and
promotes the forging of a partnership
between researchers and the people
under study

• Participatory action research views

knowledge production as a dynamic
process of "engagement, education,
communication, action and reflection"
 Theaim of the participatory research is to
provide the catalyst for bringing forth
leadership potential in the community.

 Researcher shares his or her expertise with

the people, recognizing that the
communities directly involved have the
critical voice in determining the direction
and goals of change.