Qualitative Research

By
Dr.Deo Neha
TWO MAJOR PARADIGMS

• Quantitative Research
1 • Logical positivism

• Qualitative Research
2 • Phenomenological research
 What does a Qualitative Research mean?
Qualitative research is often described by a
negative.
That is, it is not quantitative.
Quantitative research is based on
the logical-positive paradigm,
while qualitative research is based
on naturalistic inquiry and often
describes social phenomenon
 What does a Qualitative Research mean?

Qualitative research is concerned with developing

explanations of social phenomena. That is to
say , it aims to help us to understand the world
in which we live and to understand why things
are the way they are.
 What does a Qualitative Research mean?
In the qualitative research following questions are
asked.
Why people behave the way they do?
How opinions and attitudes are formed?
How people are affected by the events that
I
go on around them?
How and why cultures have developed in
the way they have?
The differences between social groups why? How? In
what way?
 What does Quantitative Research mean?

Quantitative research, on the other hand,

is more concerned with questions about:
How much? How many? How often? To
what extent?
Difference between qualitative & quantitative research

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

It is deductive in nature It is inductive in nature

Hypotheses are tested Hypotheses may not be put

forth
Replication is possible Replication may not be
possible
Generalization is Generalization may not be
important possible
Researcher is neutral Researcher is involved
Quantitative Research
Data are numerical(hard)
External facts are studied
Informer is the key
Outcome is important
External validity is important
Data may be analyzed by
external agency
Qualitative Research
Data are textual, sounds may be
included
Researcher becomes the part of the
study
Researcher is the key
Outcome is not important.
External validity is not important
Researcher analyzes the data & he
becomes part of the facts.
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Tools –All the different types Observation & interview are
of tools can be used the techniques used.
Data based conclusions are Contextual behaviour is
drawn objectively analyzed by researcher’s own
view.
Probabilistic Opportunative.
Sample size should be proper Sample may be small,
& sample should be selected incidental or purposive
randomly
Types of qualitative research

Short term
Ethnography
observation

Phenomenology Narrative inquiry

Case study Grounded theory

Kinesics (nonverbal
communication)
4. Characteristics of qualitative research
Dynamic Personal contact &
system Insights
Unique case
orientation Inductive analysis
Context
Naturalistic
sensitivity Qualitative inquiry.
Design flexibility Research
Holistic perspective

Empathic neutrality Qualitative data

Neutral non judgmental

Purposive sampling
stance
5. Kinds of data collection

In depth, open ended

interview

Qualitative
data
Written documents
Direct observation
 Tools used in the data collection
Qualitative Data
Collection Tools

Interview Observation Documents

Participatory- Anecdotal
Structured Unstructured Field notes record
Non
Group Personal participatory- Other
field notes
Maxwell’s five component model for conducting
a qualitative research

What are the goals of the study?

What is the context in which the study is being contemplated?

What does the researcher want to understand at the

conclusion of the study

What will the researcher actually do?

What alternative explanations may account for the

findings?
 1.Design Strategies-

Naturalistic inquiry

Emergent design

Purposeful sampling
2.Data collection strategies

Personal
Qualitative experience
Data &
engagement

Empathic
Dynamic
neutrality &
systems
mindfulness
 Unique Inductive
analysis & Holistic
case creative perspective
orientation synthesis

Context Voice, perspective&

sensitivity reflexivity

Analysis strategy
Useful for studying a limited number of cases in depth.

Strengths Useful for

studying a Provides
limited number individual
of cases in case
Data based on
depth. information.
the participants’
own categories
Can describe rich Can conduct
of meaning.
detail cross-case
phenomena as
comparisons
they are situated
and embedded and analysis. The researcher can
use the primarily
in local contexts. qualitative method
The  of grounded theory
researcher to inductively
The generate a tentative,
can study explanatory theory
dynamic researcher can about a
processes. study dynamic phenomenon.
processes.
 Strengths Can determine Data are
how usually
participants collected
interpret in
The researcher constructs. naturalistic Qualitative
Identifies (e.g., self- settings in approaches are
contextual and
setting factors esteem, IQ) qualitative responsive to
research. local situations,
as they relate
to the conditions, and
phenomenon Qualitative data stakeholders’
lend needs.
themselves
to exploring
how and
Qualitative why
Idiographic
researchers are phenomena
occur. causation
responsive to One can use an is
changes during the important recorded.
conduct of a case to vividly
study and may demonstrate a
shift the focus. phenomenon.
 Weaknesses of the qualitative research.
Knowledge produced
might not generalize to
The results are more other people or other Might be unique to the
easily influenced by the settings. (i.e., findings) relatively few people
researcher’s personal included in the research
study).
biases

Data analysis is often It is difficult to make

time consuming. quantitative
predictions.
Weaknesses
It generally takes more time to It is more difficult to test
collect the data as compared hypotheses and theories
to quantitative research. with large participant
It might have lower
pools.
credibility with some
administrators and
commissioners of programs.
Discovering theuse
Shakespeare’s level
of the
of difficulty
metaphor of presentation in textbook presentation

Examples of Content Analysis-

Discovering the level of A study of analysis of

difficulty of presentation types of errors in
in textbook students’ work

A study of identifying
the literary style, Shakespeare’s use of
concepts, or beliefs of a the metaphor
writer.
Discovering theuse
Shakespeare’s level
of the
of difficulty
metaphor of presentation in textbook presentation

Examples of Case studies

Case study of African Case study of

American American Indians.

A case study of The social structure of

secondary schooling. Indian slums.
 Examples of Ethnographies

Ethnographic study of Schooling as a

Ritual performance.

An ethnographic inquiry into the

behaviour of one elementary school
principal.
 Examples of grounded theory

How chairpersons
enhance faculty research;
a grounded theory..

A Study of teachers who

believed they were subjected to
long-term mistreatment by
school principals.

A grounded theory of
websites self published on the
internet by parents & children
with autism.
 References
Best, J.W.,Kahn, J.V. (2002). Research in Education. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India
Pvt.Ltd.
Gay,L.R.(1992). Educational Research. New Jersy: Prentice Hall of India.
Hitchcock,G.,Hughes,D.(1989). Research & The Teacher. USA: Routledge.
Punch,K.F.(2009). Introduction to Research Methods in Education.London.Sage
Publication Ltd.
e-references
www.southalbama.edu
faculty.uccb.ca
www.wikipedia.org