QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

LECTURE 6
Research design and methods

 Research method are only tactics or methods to collect data like interviews, surveys and
observation
 Research design is a complete framework where strategies are decided that which design will be
adopted for data collection, analysis and observations and it will depend on type of data being
analyzed whether it is qualitative or quantitative.

Quality criteria:
 By quality criteria we mean that by adopting techniques and different methods how
much our results are reliable and valid. There is a certain criteria set for the quality of
research that makes our research reliable and valid.

Prominent quality criteria:

 Reliability, validity and replicability are more prominent in quantitative research as

compared to qualitative as we have certain statistical methods and tests involved in
quantitative that requires authenticity. For qualitative replicability is less required
quality criteria as we keep repeating and observing things in same context and people.

Reliability:

 By reliability we mean trustworthiness. The reliability means the test we will use or the
methods we will adopt for quantitative research how much reliable or trustworthy they
will be.

Validity:

 The findings we will observe after using the methods and tactics how much correct and
valid they are.
For example:

 If one uses weight machine daily and it is adjusted for 5 pounds less. It will weigh 5
pounds less each day and same result will be obtained. In this case it is reliable but not
valid as results will be consistent but not valid. For this case the tests are required in
quantitative study to ensure the validity of findings.

Replicability:

 By replicability we mean that if same study or research is conducted later again it should
give same results and study should be replicable. In quantitative usually research is not
replicated once conducted but it should be replicable. For example if we conduct a
research on same study done 30 years ago it should give same result.

These three steps the reliability, validity and replicability ensures the authenticity of the
research as for quantitative these criteria’s should be met. For qualitative we try to justify
the reliability, relevance, dependability and credibility of our research.

Types of Validity:

1. Construct validity: All the variables identified like motivation or social needs should
be rightly identified. They should reflect concepts under discussion.

2. Internal validity: Causal relation between variables should be real. For example: if we
say employee motivation is directly related to supervisory behavior so by this we mean
X is related to y such that x is the consequence of y it should not be a consequence of
any other factor that is not being accessed.
3. External validity: Research result should be generalized beyond research setting. For
example: taking same example of employee motivation whatever findings are observed
from it can be applicable to other organizations and research settings.
4. Ecological validity: The findings should be applicable for certain context.
 Qualitative research criteria:
1. Credibility:
Our findings should be credible in nature. By credible we mean our findings
should be believable.
How can we ensure our research be credible?
1. By citing somehow too
2. We have to ensure we have selected right participants
3. Those participants should have right knowledge.
4. Findings should be reliable and not fabricated.

2. Transferability:
Findings of research, to some extent, should be applicable to other
context. For example if we take employee motivation example some of its findings must
be applicable in other organizations as well.

3. Dependability:
Findings can be applicable at any other time. There might be some
changes in findings which can be reported with reasons but not as overall change that it
changes the context of research.
To ensure this it can be done by:
a. Do research transparently
b. Select participants rationally and they should be relevant.
c. Do proper literature review and relate it with findings to ensure it makes sense.
4. Confirmability:
The personal biasness should be least or minimal. If Investigator
allowed his or her values to intrude to higher degree by this we mean that how much
investigator minimized his values in interviewing and reporting it. For example if
someone is not a moderate believer of religion or if someone is liberal according to that
values and beliefs the researcher can influence the participant so in confirmability we
see how much the researcher can minimize his or her values and interview the
participant.
5. Topic must be important and must contribute to the literature.