Overview of Qualitative Research Study - Coursework Example

Overview of Qualitative Research Study Introduction Qualitative research is exploratory in nature. It originated from the behavioural and social sciences mainly; anthropology, psychology, and sociology. It gets used when the researcher does not know how to define a problem, what to expect, or develop an approach to a problem. Qualitative research focuses on providing solutions to phenomena by analysing and making use of unstructured data. Researchers who employ this research method intend to gain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and also understand the justification to such behaviour. The results obtained from this research method are descriptive rather than predictive. This research method answers the how and why of decision making. It goes further than quantitative research method which only answers the where, what, and when? This paper aims at dissecting qualitative research to gain an understanding on the characteristics of the research design and to know when and where it is appropriate for use. Sample size A sample size refers to a subset of a population that gets selected for a given study. Sample size is a vital aspect of any research study. It provides for a basis from which inferences about a population can be determined. It refers to the number of observation used to calculate or determine the characteristics of a given population (Barbour, 2013). When undertaking sample size determination for qualitative studies, it is vital to know that there are no fixed or fast rules. However, it is important to give at least two considerations when coming up with the sample size. The first consideration should be how large does the sample need to be to enable the identification of consistent patterns. The sample size should be large enough to leave the researcher with nothing left to learn or no emergent trend. The second consideration should be how large the sample should be to provide a reflection of the target population. The sample size must be large enough to help assess an appropriate amount of diversity represented across the target population. Under qualitative studies, the researcher may estimate the sample size base on his or her data collection methods or the approach of their study. For example when undertaking a case study approach in a qualitative study, the researcher selects one case or one person. Another example can be when using focus group discussions as a data collection method. The researcher gets to create groups that average 5-10 people each (Silverman, 2013). The researcher also has to consider the number of focus groups that will be representative of the target population. Type of data collected Qualitative data is subjective in nature. It includes any data that can be obtained that is not numerical in nature. Qualitative data provides perceptions of the people in the study environment. Researchers employing qualitative study may consider a variety of sources from which they base and confirm their research and findings. There are two types of data which can provide information for research; primary and secondary (Potter, 2013). Qualitative research may employ the use of either primary and secondary data or a choice between the two. Primary data refers to data that is collected by the researcher themselves through methods such as interviews, observation, action research, and or case studies. Secondary data refers to sources of data that are already existent such as data from previous research, official statistics, diaries, letters, government reports, or historical data. The primary or secondary data collected in qualitative studies may take form as field notes, transcripts, audio and or video recordings. How data are collected Qualitative data collection methods play a vital role in impact evaluation. Qualitative data collection methods are characterized by their open-endedness, heavy reliance on interactive interviews, and use of multiple data collection methods to increase the credibility of their findings. There are many choices in regard to data collection for qualitative researchers. The three most common qualitative methods employed to collect data are; in-depth interviews, participant observation and focus groups (Maxwell, 2012). Participant observation helps to collect data on naturally occurring trends in their usual setting. Participant observation sees the researcher participate in on-going activities in his study environment or sample size while also recording observations about the sample. In-depth interviews get used to collect data on individuals’ personal history, experiences, and perspectives. It gets used when the subject being explored is sensitive in nature. In-depth interviews are less structured and proceed as a secure and confidential conversation between the respondent and interviewer. Focus group discussions get used to reveal data on the cultural trends of a group. It helps to provide a broadened view of issues of importance to the cultural groups targeted. A focus group simply put is a group discussion organised by the researcher on a particular topic. How data are analysed Qualitative data analysis involves the interpretation, examination, and identification of themes and trends in textual data. Further, it determines how the trends and themes help to answer the research question (Ritchie et al, 2013). Qualitative analysis has no set universal rules and is a fluid process that is greatly dependent on the researcher and the context of their study. Qualitative analysis also changes as the study progresses and more data is revealed. Qualitative data analysis begins immediately as when the first piece of data is captured. Qualitative data analysis methods include: typology, taxonomy, grounded theory, analytic induction, logical analysis, quasi-statistics, metaphorical analysis, event analysis, domain analysis, discourse analysis, content analysis, semiotics, narrative analysis, and or phenomenology. Analytic induction as an example of qualitative analysis involves looking at an event and developing a hypothetical statement of what occurred. The researcher then takes a look at another similar event and observes if it fits the hypothesis constructed. If the event does not fit the hypothesis, the researcher revises the hypothesis. How data are presented Qualitative study can be presented in the form of a paper or lecture. When presenting qualitative data, a researcher should consider that the data is interpretive, subjective, descriptive, copious, and holistic (Silverman, 2013). After the researcher identifies trends and patterns from the analysis, the data can be compressed into a display that allows for conclusion drawing. The display can be through graphs, tables, or text. For example, in a textual presentation of findings; to inform or support findings, quotes can be employed but the researcher has to ensure the validity and reliability of each quote. The researcher should display quotes that are most representative of the research findings. Conclusion Qualitative research seeks to explore phenomena. It aims at describing variations within a target population. It employs open-ended data collection methods to obtain information about certain trends and themes within a study population. Qualitative research methods are appropriate for small numbers of people or sample size who get interviewed in-depth or small number of focus groups conducted. Qualitative research involves the analysis, collection, and interpretation of data that is not easily reduced to numbers. The quality of results obtained from a qualitative research is largely dependent on the experience, skills, and sensitivity of the researcher. This kind of research is effective in the acquisition of people’s communication needs and their responses and views towards specific communication. It generates rich, valid, and detailed data that offers in-depth understanding of the context. References Maxwell, J. A. (2012). Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach: An Interactive Approach. New York: Sage. Barbour, R. (2013). Introducing qualitative research: a student's guide. New York: Sage. Ormston, R., Spencer, L., Barnard, M., & Snape, D. (2013). THE FOUNDATIONS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH. Qualitative Research Practice: A Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers, 1. Potter, W. J. (2013). An analysis of thinking and research about qualitative methods. London: Routledge. Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C. M., & Ormston, R. (Eds.). (2013). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. New York: Sage. Silverman, D. (2013). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook. New York: SAGE Publications Limited. Read More