PRACTICAL RESEARCH

I
Quarter 3 - Module 4
Characteristics, Strengths and
Weaknesses, Kinds, and
Importance of Qualitative
Research
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
consideration. 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.
 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 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 by
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
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 of
Qualitative Research
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 interviews 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, fewer resources
will be needed to accomplish the study. Likewise,
interview schedules and observation checklists as
qualitative research tools demand the researcher to
spend fewer resources, unlike questionnaires as a
primary tool utilized in quantitative research.
 Weaknesses of
Qualitative Research
 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, the 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 formulas, 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 with
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 the
participants’ provided data.
kinds of Qualitative
Research
 1. Phenomenological.
• This kind of qualitative research focuses on the
subjective lived experiences of the participants in
order to understand the 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. The interview is the common instrument
used for its data collection with the suggested sample
size ranging from 5 to 25.
Examples:
• A researcher aims to determine the challenges
and coping mechanisms of senior high school
working students in the second district of
Bataan.
• 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 that 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
interviews and surveys, is an essential instrument for
this type of study.
Examples:
•A researcher seeks to determine the cultural
practices and healthcare beliefs of the ethnic
group living in Bataan province.
•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 by developing a theory. In comparison
with a phenomenological study that primarily
describes lived experiences, grounded theory aims to
provide an 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:
•A researcher attempts to conceptualize the
breast cancer survivorship process among
Bataeños.
• A researcher attempts to generate a theory
of defense mechanisms of students
•who experience school bullying.
 4. Case Study.
• It is 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 interviews, observations, and documentation
are all utilized as multiple data collection instruments.
Examples:
•A researcher aims to explain the causes of
the reading difficulty of a Grade 5 struggling
reader.
•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
by clearly relating the past event data which are
obtained from sources such as documents, relics
and artifacts, and oral reports.
Examples:
•A researcher attempts to explore the nature
and context of the political leadership of
Bataan governors.
•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:
•A researcher seeks to characterize the
struggles faced by student-athletes.

•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.
PRACTICAL RESEARCH
I