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Qualitative research allows for the collection of data while exploring the reasons why that data was given. This article shows what this type of research is used for, who uses it, how to collect qualitative data, how to analyze it, and the main advantages and disadvantages of this research type. Qualitative Research: DefinitionQualitative research involves gathering and then analyzing data that is recorded non-numerically, such as video, audio, or text. The data is used to understand complex concepts, experiences, and opinions. Qualitative research is used to develop new insights into problems or to generate new research ideas. As such, qualitative research is the opposite of quantitative research. This latter form of research utilizes numerical data to search for patterns and perform statistical analysis. Qualitative data can be used in any field, but it is most commonly employed by the humanities and social sciences. This research method is popular in subjects like anthropology, history, sociology, and so on. Qualitative Research MethodsThe most common types of qualitative research are interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic research. 1. Interviews Interviews are an effective tool for gathering data on people’s beliefs and their motivations. Skilled researchers are capable of asking useful follow-up questions to gain more data on useful topics. Interviews can be performed face-to-face, over the phone, or via a video chat application. They generally last anywhere from 30 minutes to over two hours. Face-to-face interviews grant the most opportunities for gathering data since they provide opportunities to gain extra information from things like body language. 2. Focus Groups Focus groups ask questions centered around ‘how’, ‘what’ and ‘why’. One of the advantages of these groups is that researchers can ask an initial question and then let the ensuing conversation between group members occur naturally. Focus groups are one of the more difficult to organize qualitative research methods since they require a large number of people with similar experiences to be available at the same time. However, focus groups are an effective way of letting research participants explore concepts that are too complex for individuals to grasp effectively. 3. Ethnographic Research Ethnographic research is the most in-depth form of qualitative research and involved studying people in their natural environment. Researchers aim to observe their audiences while remaining undetected by adapting to their audiences’ environments. Instead of relying on people’s testimonies about their experiences, ethnographic research seeks to interpret these experiences directly as they occur. Studying audiences this way makes ethnographic research one of the slowest ways to collect data. A study of this type can require anything from a few days to a few years. Ethnographic research is also heavily dependent on the capabilities of the researcher to infer useful data from their observations. Qualitative Research: How to Analyze the Data?Qualitative data analysis can be carried out using these three steps: 1. Develop and Apply Codes. Open coding. The initial sorting of all the raw data into some kind of order. 2. Identify Themes, Patterns, and Relationships There are no universal methods for identifying patterns in qualitative research data. However, there is a set of techniques for identifying common themes and relationships with reference to the previously created codes. These are the most popular techniques for interpreting qualitative data:
3. Summarize the Data The final step is connecting the research data to the hypotheses. Highlight major themes and trends by utilizing noteworthy quotations from the data as well as possible contradictions. One of the key aspects of qualitative data is that there is no unified, formal approach to collecting and analyzing data. Each research project will require its own set of methods and techniques. The key lies in examining the unique requirements of each project and adjusting the research methodology accordingly. Advantages & Disadvantages
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Discover more useful articles:Why is the flexibility and limited structure of qualitative research design an advantage?The flexibility and limited structure of qualitative research designs is an advantage because: a) the researcher does not impose any predetermined formats on the social world. b) it allows for unexpected results to emerge from the data. c) the researcher can adapt their theories and methods as the project unfolds.
What is the advantage of using qualitative research method?What are the advantages of qualitative research? Qualitative research focuses on gaining as much data as possible from a relatively small sample size. It is a more flexible approach than quantitative research since it enables participants to express themselves while providing data.
Is flexibility a strength of qualitative research?Qualitative methods are typically more flexible – that is, they allow greater spontaneity and adaptation of the interaction between the researcher and the study participant.
Does qualitative research have design flexibility?The design is flexible, iterative and emergent and therefore requires of the researcher an ability to change and adapt the research process in accordance with emerging results. Qualitative research is thus different from quantitative research as it allows for flexibility throughout the research process.
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