Qualitative Research

In order to understand something better a researcher may choose to study it qualitatively, meaning he or she will look at the situation more in depth while trying to understand why it is the way it is or how it got to be that way. Qualitative researchers usually follow a sequence: observe and ask questions, record what’s been said or done, research is then interpreted by the researcher, the entire process is repeated, a theory is formed from data collected thus far and finally a conclusion is formed. In order to complete these processes the researcher may choose to collect the data by performing open-ended interviews, direct observations or use written documents.

With Qualitative research the researcher has the freedom to choose whomever they would like to study as it depends on what is needed from the research. Some researchers will choose their selection of whom to research using a maximum variation approach or a typical case approach either way the research approach is on going and will change as it depends what is needed. As the researcher researches he or she must keep detailed descriptions going forward in order to allow them the ability to reflect on their research and remember why the decisions were made at that point. Keeping detailed notes is necessary in completing this research some of the ways in which the notes can be documented are as personal notes, field notes, methodology notes and theoretical notes.

As a qualitative researcher he or she acts as a detective, investigating evidence in order for the researcher to be able to provide their personal outlook on the reasons of how and why. During the investigation the participants are aware of the researchers presence. This allows the researcher to ask the participants specific questions to get answers and personal reactions; this will provide the researcher’s audience with a concluding narrative point of view while backed by valid evidence collected.

After the collection of research is completed the researchers next task is to analyze the data by first coding it, then categorizing it while including examples and finally he or she has link the categories together. There are roughly 15 different research methods to be considered while analyzing the data. Once the data has been analyzed the outcome of the findings will be in depth detail of the research providing the reader with a non judgmental view of the study. Qualitative research will explain the why and how while focusing the research on a small number of participants providing in depth evaluation on particular cases being studied. Qualitative provides "quality" research to the audience.

http://qualitativeresearch.ratcliffs.net/