Practical Research 1

Characteristics, Strengths and Weaknesses, Kinds, and Importance of

Qualitative Research

Most Essential Learning Competency

1. describes characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, and kinds of qualitative

research
2. illustrates the importance of qualitative research across fields

Lesson:

Characteristics of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research can be easily characterized by carefully observing how some

research elements such as: research design, data collection procedure, and data
analysis have been put into considerations. As cited from Spalding University
Library (2020), these three key elements will guide the researcher to properly
conduct a qualitative research study. To further understand this kind of research,
its characteristics are presented as follows:

1. Qualitative research is naturalistic. A study to be conducted by the researcher

should be based on real-life situations. Likewise, the researcher should also
unfold the study in a natural manner, that is, the findings are derived from the
analysis of authentic data gathered from the participants. Such a concept
makes qualitative research known for its non-controlling characteristic.

2. Qualitative research is purposeful. In conducting a qualitative type of study, the

researcher should select the participants in a purposive manner, that is, they
will be selected because they either have easy access to the information needed
or simply have the knowledge to provide a great deal of information needed to
the study. Hence, these participants are called “information rich” in the context
of research.

This type of participant selection will validate the concept that qualitative study
focuses on rich insights regarding the phenomenon rather than on mere
numerical data simply obtained from surveys and questionnaires.

3. Qualitative research is detailed. A thick description of gathered data from the

participants makes this type of study a detailed one. It is important that the
researcher should capture the direct quotations of the responses of the
participant/s from the conducted interview or observation.
4. Qualitative research requires engagement and neutrality. Direct contact with the
people, situation, and phenomenon under investigation should be established
by the researcher. Immersing oneself would enable the researcher to acquire
personal experiences and insights which are essential to better understand the
phenomenon. Further, the researcher should also be neutral in the responses
and observations he/she may get while engaging with the participant/s. The
researcher should likewise show openness, sensitivity, and respect.

5. Qualitative research follows an inductive procedure. As the researcher immerses

himself/herself in the phenomenon under investigation, specific details and
data will be gathered from the target participant/s. These data then can be used
to discover emerging patterns and themes. Following an inductive procedure,
the researcher will start from exploring the phenomenon and will end to
confirming findings of the works.

6. Qualitative research is viewed in a holistic perspective. A study in a qualitative

type cannot be simply done in a linear and cause and effect relationship
approach. Rather, it requires the researcher to view the whole phenomenon
under investigation in a complex system, that is, different variables can either
cause or effect the phenomenon.

Strengths and Weakness of Qualitative Research

It is known that a qualitative type of research focuses more on explaining why

subjects under investigation think and behave in certain ways. With such purpose,
it can be observed that there are corresponding strengths and weaknesses a
qualitative research may have once it is employed by the researcher. As cited from
University of Denmark Library (2020), this type of research has its strengths and
weaknesses presented as follows:

Strengths:

1. Qualitative research complements quantitative data. Interview and observation

are the common instruments used in the conduct of a qualitative study. Such
instruments can provide qualitative data that can be utilized as a support for
any quantitative data appearing in a study, hence, a more reliable result will be
ensured.
2. Qualitative research provides more detailed information to explain complex
issues. Since this type of research study requires the researcher to immerse
himself/herself in the phenomenon under investigation, direct experiences can
be acquired. Similarly, considering “information rich” participant/s, as well as
utilizing interview and observation as qualitative research instruments, may
enable the researcher to gather more accurate data needed in explaining a
complex phenomenon.

3. Qualitative research is cost efficient. Small number of participants is usually

considered in qualitative research. Hence, less resources will be needed to
accomplish the study. Likewise, interview schedule and observation checklist as
qualitative research tools demand the researcher to spend less resources unlike
questionnaires as a primary tool utilized in quantitative research.

Weaknesses:

1. Qualitative research cannot generalize the findings to the study population. The
use of a small number of participants in qualitative research may result in
limited responses. Thus, findings of the study might not be possibly generalized
to a larger population. Replication of the study is often suggested.

2. Qualitative research is more difficult to analyze. Unlike quantitative research

which deals with numeric data and can be interpreted through statistical
formula, qualitative research presents non-numeric data which are all based on
the subjective responses of the participants. If data are not critically analyzed
and carefully interpreted, results may become biased and even less credible.

3. Qualitative research is time consuming. Though qualitative research utilizes a

small number of participants, this, however, demands the researcher to spend
more time in dealing and engaging with them. Similarly, the analysis and
interpretation phase of the study also requires the researcher to take more time
in observing the emerging patterns and themes derived from participants’
provided data.

Kinds of Qualitative Research

In conducting a qualitative type of research on different fields such as business,

education, medicine, etc., there are six (6) widely used qualitative research kinds
namely: (1) phenomenological; (2) ethnographic; (3) grounded theory; (4) case
study; (5) historical; and (6) narrative.

1. Phenomenological. This kind of qualitative research focuses on subjective lived

experiences of the participants in order to understand phenomenon. Here, the
researcher is concerned with the feelings of the participants regarding a
particular event or activity, hence, the uniqueness of their lived situations can
be described. Interview is the common instrument used for its data collection
with the suggested sample size ranging from 5 to 25.

Examples:

o A researcher aims to determine the challenges and coping mechanisms of

senior high school working students in the second district of Bataan.

o A researcher aims to explain the lived experiences of the COVID-19

survivors in the province of Bataan.

2. Ethnographic. It is a kind of qualitative research which concentrates on the

study of a group of people in a particular environment. To characterize
behaviors, cultures, challenges, and possible occurring themes, the researcher
is required to engage himself/herself with the participants through immersion
in an extended period of time. Observation, along with the use of interview and
survey, is an essential instrument for this type of study.

Examples:

o A researcher seeks to determine the cultural practices and healthcare

beliefs of the ethnic group living in Bataan province.

o A researcher seeks to characterize the survival strategies of families in an

urban poor community.

3. Grounded Theory. This kind of qualitative research intends to explain a

phenomenon through developing a theory. In comparison with
phenomenological study that primarily describes lived experiences, grounded
theory aims to provide explanation and theory behind those lived experiences.
Interview and supporting documents are the commonly used data collection
instrument for its participants approximately ranging from 20 to 30 or until
data achieve saturation.
 Examples:

o A researcher attempts to conceptualize the breast cancer survivorship

process among Bataeños.

o A researcher attempts to generate a theory of defense mechanisms of

students who experience school bullying.

4. Case Study. It is a qualitative research kind which allows the researcher to have
an intensive analysis of the phenomenon. The aim of this study is to accurately
describe the case through an in-depth examination of a single person or single
institution. With this, thorough interview, observation, and documentation are
all utilized as multiple data collection instruments.

Examples:

o A researcher aims to explain the causes of the reading difficulty of a grade

5 struggling reader.

o A researcher aims to describe the language challenges of hearing-impaired

students in a SPED class.

5. Historical. This qualitative research kind is concerned with the identification,

evaluation, and synthesis of past event data. Further, it aims to understand
present patterns and to anticipate future choices through clearly relating the
past event data which are obtained from sources such as documents, relics and
artifacts, and oral reports.

Examples:

o A researcher attempts to explore the nature and context of the political

leadership of Bataan governors.

o A researcher seeks to explore the development in the courtship letter

writing style among Bataeños.

6. Narrative. Life accounts of individuals based on their personal experiences are

typically obtained and analyzed in the conduct of this kind of qualitative
research. The primary objective of the study is to extract meaningful context
 based on the documented experiences. Unlike phenomenological research which
focuses on describing and explaining a phenomenon through the lived
experiences of the participants, narrative research focuses merely on the nature
of the story told by the participants. Hence, phenomenological research may use
narrative, but narrative research does not necessarily need phenomenological.
Discourse analysis is one of the commonly and widely employed approaches of
narrative research. Examples:

o A researcher seeks to characterize the struggles faced by student-athletes.

o A researcher seeks to describe the daily teaching experiences of millennial

teachers in the Schools Division of Bataan.

Importance of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is known for providing meaning to understand an existing

phenomenon. With this, the perspectives, expressions, and activities of the
participants play a vital role to unveiling the local context across different fields.

The development in any fields such as in education, business, medical and health
allied services, etc. is made possible by means of qualitative research.

For example, the researcher may study the experiences of individuals and their
access to health care by determining their perspectives. These solicited responses
reflecting their experiences, attitudes, and circumstances may help the researcher
to understand the phenomenon, hence, suggestions for improvement and
development can be sought.

Now that you have already explored qualitative research through its characteristics,
strengths, weaknesses, kinds, and importance, it is no doubt that you have already
acquired important details needed for pursuing the conduct of such study leading
to a successful result.