PRACTICAL RESEARCH

1 Quarter 1- Module 2:
Qualitative Research and
Its Importance in Daily Life

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

What I need to Know Introduction
What makes human race distinct from each other, specifically on its uniqueness
of traits, similarities and differences? In a way, qualitative research can respond to
such questions. According to Silverman (2013); Litchman (2013); Walliman (2014);
and Suter (2012), qualitative research is an act of inquiry or investigation of real-life
events. It is concerned with own experiences of a life event, and the aim is to interpret
what has been said in order to explain why it is said. This is called natural setting.
Qualitative research is important practically because most things cannot just be
quantified: they need to be described. Appreciating the nature of life and experience
is vital than simply counting things. We need to understand the quality of some things
in order for them to have meaning.
This module will assist you in understanding….
Lesson 1 The Value of Qualitative Research
Its Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses and Kinds
Lesson 2 The Importance of Qualitative Research Across Fields of Inquiry

Learning Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses and kinds of qualitative

research; and
2. Illustrate the importance of qualitative research across fields.

Lesson The Value of Qualitative Research

1 Its Characteristics, Strengths,
Weaknesses and Kinds

The general purpose of qualitative research is to develop concepts which help

you to understand social phenomena in, wherever possible, natural rather than
experimental settings, to gain an understanding of the experiences, perceptions and/or
behaviors of individuals, and the meanings attached to them. The effective
applications of qualitative methods to other disciplines, including health and education
research have expanded. This module outlines the nature and potential value of
qualitative research features its various parameters.

What’s in?
In the previous module, you learned the nature of inquiry and research. Inquiry and
research encourage high levels of critical thinking in order to attain appropriate
methods and resources. As a researcher you have to follow the different processes
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in research equipped with the etiquettes in conducting your study. Those samples of
research in areas of interest will help you guide to choose you topic or research
problem.

What’s New?
I. Definition of Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research is a scientific method of observation to gather non-numerical

data. It refers to the meanings, concepts, characteristics, metaphors, symbols and
description of phenomena, and not to their counts or measures.

II. Purpose of Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research promotes a deep, holistic understanding of a particular

phenomenon.

III. Characteristics of Qualitative Research

1. Human understanding and interpretation in data analysis

2. Active, powerful and forceful in data gathering and rephrasing interview questions
3. Multiple research approaches and methods that allows you to plan your study and
being multi-method research
4. Specificity to generalization on specific ideas will lead to generalizations or
conclusions.
5. Contextualization - context or situation of individual’s life
6. Diversified data in real-life situations on collecting data in a natural setting
7. Abounds with words and visuals that presents people’s view in a picture, video,
drawing or graphs.
8. Internal analysis on examining the data yielded by the internal traits of the subject
persons.

IV. Strengths of Qualitative Research

1. It adopts a naturalistic approach to its subject matter.

2. Promotes a full understanding of human behavior/personality traits in their natural
setting.
3. It is instrumental for positive societal changes.
4. It engenders respect for people’s individuality.
5. it’s a way of understanding & interpreting social interactions.
6. Increases researcher’s interests in the study.
7. Offers multiple ways of acquiring and examining knowledge about something.

V. Weaknesses of Qualitative Research

1. It involves a lot of researcher’s subjectivity in data analysis.

2. It is hard to know the validity/reliability of the data.
3. It is open-ended questions yield “data overload” that requires long-time analysis.
4. It is time-consuming.
5. It involves several processes, whose results greatly depend on the researcher’s
views or interpretations.

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VI. Kinds of Qualitative Research

1. Case Study - Long-time study of a person, group, organization or situation and

an empirical inquiry that investigates current phenomenon.
Example: “Teenage Pregnancy in the Public High Schools”
2. Ethnography- a study of a particular cultural group.
Example: “Cultural Awareness and Integration of Peace Education in the
Indigenous Peoples (IP) Communities”
3. Phenomenology- “live-experienced” of a phenomenon. Example: “Life without
Gadget”
4. Content and Discourse Analysis-
• Content Analysis- is a research technique that analyzes the modes of
communication such as letters, e-mails etc.

• Discourse Analysis- is the study of social life, understood through

analysis of language it includes face-to-face talk, non-verbal interaction,
images and symbols.

Materials for Discourse Analysis include books, newspapers, periodicals,

brochures and advertisements.

Example: “A Discourse Analysis on the Impact of Modern Technologies on

Communication”

5. Historical Analysis- is a qualitative method where there is an examining of

past events to draw conclusions and make predictions about the future.

Example: “The Impact of Ferdinand Marcos’ Speech”

6. Grounded Theory- takes place when there is a discovery of new theory which
underlies your study at the time of data collection and analysis.
Example: “The Story Behind the Migration of Christians from Visayas and Luzon
to Mindanao”

7. Narrative Report - designed to present things or events that have happened

in the past through a logical progression of the relevant information. The main
purpose of a narrative report is to present a factual depiction of what has
occurred.

Example: “Vocabulary Building of Students through Proper Solid Waste

Management”

8. Biography- is the study of an individual’s life and struggles and how they reflect
cultural themes of the society. It deals with an interesting story found in

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 documents and archival materials. It is concerned with the reconstruction of life
histories and the constitution of meaning based on biographical narratives and
documents.

❖ Five common types of biography are

(1) Scholarly Chronicles -focus on the historical portrayal of an individual life.
e.g. “Biography of Gloria M. Arroyo, the First Woman President of the
Philippines”
(2) Intellectual Biography- narrative of a life through the conceptual analysis of
the subject’s motives and beliefs within the world of ideas. e.g. “Life and
Works of Dr. Jose Rizal”
(3) Life History Writing- recording of life memories, experiences, whether one’s
or another’s.
e.g. “The Hardships of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s)”.
(4) Memoir Biography- stylistic presentation of the biographer’s reflections and
insights in relation to the factual account of life.
e.g. “The Experiences of Stranded Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic” (5)
Narrative Biography-a nonfiction account of life experiences of a person.

9. Action Research- is a classroom-based or school-based research seeks

transformative change through the process of taking action and doing research,
which are linked together by critical reflection. This type of research is
commonly conducted by the teachers to give solutions to the existing problems
to improve students’ academic performance and positive attitudes.
Activity 1: Question and Answer
Directions: Answer the questions briefly. Write your answers on your answer sheet.
1. How will you use qualitative research in real life?
2. What are the kinds of qualitative research?

What is it?
Discussion of Activity 1
You just learned the valuable aspects of qualitative research.
1. Can you recognize the nature of qualitative research; its kinds, characteristics,
strengths, and weaknesses? Kindly provide your brief explanation.
2. How do the strengths and weaknesses help us in writing the research proposal?

What’s more?

On the table below, draft your proposed topics for a research paper at least 5.
The first column is for the topic, second for the purpose and third for the type of
qualitative research to be used. Give five topics.

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 Topic Purpose Type of Qualitative Research
Example: To determine the Phenomenological
Post Traumatic experiences of those
Experiences of the survivors in the
COVID-19 Survivors COVID-19
phenomena.

What I have learned

Explain the concepts you have learned by answering the following questions.

1. What comes to your mind when you hear qualitative research?

2. Pretend you are the subject of a phenomenological study, how will the
researcher obtain data from you?
3. Name the type of qualitative research best suited for the following topics.
a. Grade 11 Science Textbook_____________________________
b. Filipino COVID-19 Front liners in Europe____________________
c. Travails of SHS Graduates in Public Schools_________________
d. The Ifugao Wedding Practices____________________________
e. Relatives of COVID-19 Victims____________________________

What I can do
Contemplate on the matters you see in your surroundings, your house,
appliances and gadgets, school, your friends, etc. Ponder over these things, think of
a good topic you can research on qualitatively. Write a short descriptive paragraph on
your chosen topic applying what you have learned about qualitative research. Write in
a separate sheet of paper.

Additional Activities
Choose five kinds of qualitative research and find one example of actual
research studies/articles for each. Make a summary for each study and explain why it
belongs to that type of qualitative research.

Sample Article: Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines

The issue of teenage pregnancy is widespread in various parts of the

country. Today, we face the painful reality that at a very young age, most
young people have children of their own.

During the World Population Day Forum held in Quezon City last July 2019,
the Commission on Population (Popcom) raised concerns about early and
unplanned pregnancies by citing that around 500 teenage girls have given
birth in the country every day as more adolescents engage in premarital
sex. Popcom said some 196,000 Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 19
years old get pregnant each year.

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 In the Philippines, according to the 2013 National Demographic and Health
Survey (NDHS) and the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study
(YAFSS), the number of women aged 15-19 who have begun childbearing
increased from eight percent in 2003 to 10 percent in 2013.

Summary: The rising teenage pregnancy rate in the Philippines has contributed to the
country's population crisis.

This study belongs to a case study type of qualitative research as it explores a case
through a detailed, data collection which involves sources of information within the
natural setting.

Lesson The Importance of Qualitative

2 Research Across Fields of Inquiry

Qualitative research is an emerging area of inquiry that graces through

disciplines and subject matter. However, it's also essential to recognize that qualitative
research is a method generally used in the social sciences searching social
interactions, schemes and processes. It delivers a detailed appreciation of the ways
people come to understand and achieve their daily life in particular situations.

What’s in?
In the previous lesson, you learned to describe the nature and characteristics of
qualitative research with its kinds, strength and weaknesses. Qualitative research is
capable to give rich information about the respondents, be it humans or animals.
Despite having such strength, its weakness is perceived on its approach being not
applicable to some research objectives. The kinds of qualitative research will help you
discover facts and information about the object of your interest and working with
others. The lessons you had learned will guide you to appreciate the importance of
qualitative research across fields of inquiry.

What’s New?
Research in Different Areas of Knowledge

Research studies happen in any field of knowledge:

Anthropology, Business, Communication, Education, Engineering, Law and Nursing.

A. Basic Research Approaches in a Specific Area of Discipline

1. Scientific or Positive Approach deals with empirical data instead of personal

views, feelings or attitudes.

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 control of variables or factors affecting the study (Laursen 2010).
records findings quantitatively.
resents structured interviews, questionnaires and observational checklists.

1. Naturalistic Approach
• A people-oriented approach focusing on discovering the real
concept or meaning behind people’s lifestyles and social
relations.
• Present things qualitatively through verbal language. Using
words as unit of analysis.
• Bases determining universal social values to define ethical
and unethical that society ought to know, not only for the
benefit of individual and community but also for the
satisfaction of man’s quest for knowledge.” (Sarandakos
2013; Ransome 2013)

Example: Talking to ethnic groups or people with other culture in a natural

setting. In this case, the researcher uses unstructured interviews and the
participants’ answer/response is not scripted.

2. Triangulation/ Mixed Method

• Allows a combination or a mixture of research designs, data
collection and data analysis techniques.
• Enhance the validity and reliability of qualitative research
design.
• Enhances accuracy of interpretation.
• Has an opportunity to view every angle of the research from
different perspectives.

(3) Main Methods of Data Collection

a. Interactive interviewing- people asked to verbally described their experiences
of phenomenon.
b. Written descriptions by participant- people asked to write descriptions of their
experiences of phenomenon.
c. Observation- descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.

In the field of Humanities, researchers ought to focus not to man’s social life but
instead studies its meanings, significance and visualizations of man’s experiences
in the field of Fine Arts, Literature, Music, Drama, Dance and other artistically
inclined subjects.

Humanistic Categories
1. Literature and Art Criticism. Focus on language depends on interpretative and
reflective thinking.

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 2. Philosophical Research. The focus of inquiry is on knowledge and principles of
being and on the manner human beings conduct themselves on Earth.
3. Historical Research. Investigation centers on events and ideas that took place
in man’s life at a particular period.

II. Hard Sciences versus Soft Sciences 1

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Hard Sciences Soft Sciences

Studies natural data Studies human behavior in a
driven phenomenon. scientific manner.
Objective Subjective
Tests Theory Develops Theory
Numbers Words
Cause and Effect Relationship Knowing meaning & discovery
Statistical Analysis and Researcher’s interpretation
Generalizations
Examples: Examples:

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, Psychology, Political

Astronomy, Earth Science Science, Economics, Anthropology,
History

• Qualitative and Quantitative Research can go together in a research

approach.
• There is a symbiotic relationship between these two research methods,
in which they reinforce or strengthen each other.
• Moreover, any form of knowledge, factual or opinionated and any
statistical or verbal expression of this knowledge are deduced from
human experience that is subjective. (Hollway 2013; Letherby 2013)

Activity 1: Question and Answer

Directions: Answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Write your answers in the answer
sheet.

1. What are the three types of approach to basic research? Describe each type.
2. How do you differentiate soft sciences from hard sciences?

What is it?
You just learned the importance of qualitative research across fields of inquiry.

1. Can you figure out the importance of qualitative research? Organize your ideas
by presenting three important functions of qualitative research.

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 2. How do you inquire data in a certain field of study? Write your top three
methods when collecting data and describe each.

What’s more?
As a continuation on Lesson 1 of this Module from the table you have drawn
which listed your own three topics for a qualitative research , purpose and type to use
, add a fourth column as what approach of research you will use, and the fifth column
your choice of data collection. Copy your answers from the previous table to complete
column 1 to 3.
Topic Purpose Type of Research Data
Qualitative Approach Collection
Research Choice

Sample:
Post To determine the Triangulation Written
Traumatic experiences of Phenomenological or mixed description/
Experiences of those survivors Interview
the COVID-19 in the COVID-19
Survivors phenomena.

1.

2.

3.

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What I have learned

Given the following Research topics, name the specific subject on each topic
and give the importance on researching such topic in a person’s day to day life. The
first one is done for you.
1. Nutrient Contents of Spices and Herbs
2. Juan dela Cruz: A Filipino Inventor
3. Parents Views About The New Normal Education
4. Body Parts of a Korean Car
5. Bacteria in a Food
6. SHS Learners Study Habits
7. Medicinal Elements of Lemon Leaves
8. History Development of Asian Novels
9. Higa-onon Wedding Rites
10. The Nature of Corona Virus Disease

Topics Subject Importance of the Research

1 Spices and Herbs To know its nutrient content use as medicine

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What I can do
What are your views to the qualitative research across fields of inquiry? Is
research important? Why? Present your answers in various viewpoints in terms
of:

Sample: Health issues: Through qualitative research, we understand how HIV

patient go through bodily changes, etc.

1. Social: ________________________________________________
2. Economical_____________________________________________
3. Political: _______________________________________________

Additional Activities
Ask somebody whom you know has already done a research work or is
currently conducting a research study. Ask him the details of his study and tabulate
the results from your interview with him.
1. Title
2. Method of Research (data gathering and data analysis)
3. Subject Area or areas of interest where the study belongs
4. The importance of the research work

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