Qualitative Research - Methodologies

MKSES Publication, 2023

This article presents a comprehensive exploration of commonly utilized qualitative research methods in the social sciences. Covering essential methodologies such as ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, case study, content analysis, and ethnomethodology, the article delves into their ontological and epistemological foundations, objectives, applications, and specific approaches to sampling, data collection, and analysis. The discussion navigates the constructivist and interpretive paradigms that underlie these methods, emphasizing the subjective understanding of human behaviour within socially constructed realities. Each method's unique objectives are delineated, from unravelling social order construction in ethnography to exploring individual lived experiences in phenomenology and developing theories grounded in qualitative data in grounded theory. The article highlights the practical application of these methods in social science. Emphasizing the flexibility and purposive nature of sampling, coupled with iterative data analysis techniques, the article underscores the common thread uniting these approaches. It emphasizes the profound significance of these qualitative methods in unravelling intricate social phenomena that defy easy quantification, ultimately contributing to a nuanced understanding of the dynamic facets of the human condition in the field of social research.

Vocational Training: Research And Realities, 2017

The purpose of this article is to compare two qualitative approaches that can be used in different researches: phenomenology and grounded theory. This overview is done to (1) summarize similarities and differences between these two approaches, with attention to their historical development, goals, methods, audience, and products (2) familiarize the researchers with the origins and details of these approaches in the way that they can make better matches between their research question(s) and the goals and products of the study (3) discuss a brief outline of each methodology along with their origin, essence and procedural steps undertaken (4) illustrate how the procedures of data analysis (coding), theoretical memoing and sampling are applied to systematically generate a grounded theory (5) briefly examine the major challenges for utilizing two approaches in grounded theory, the Glaserian and Straussian. As a conclusion, this overview reveals that it is essential to ensure that the me...

2009

Abstract This chapter presents a discussion on the nature of qualitative research. In it, a number of contributors to the book sit down for a general roundtable discussion on qualitative methodologies. Here they express their thinking in relation to a range of questions on qualitative methodologies put to them by the moderator, one of the editors of the volume. The objective of the chapter is to provide readers with an insight into a free flowing discussion amongst academics on the nature of qualitative research.

International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 2009

Background: There are still many practitioners, academics and researchers who are bemused by the principles and practices of qualitative research. In the third and final article in this three part series, I look at sampling in qualitative studies, methods of data collection and analysis. Content: Building on the previous two articles, I highlight the importance of rigour and explore some of the different criteria used by researchers to demonstrate that their research is trustworthy. I include a brief discussion of some of the more recent trends in mixed-method or post-positivist research. Conclusions: Qualitative research is different in many ways to quantitative, and it cannot be approached with the same mind-set. It seeks to explore different aspects to quantitative research, focusing on the individual experience, rather than conclusions that can be drawn from large groups. Because of these differences, the two approaches to research should not be seen as alternatives, but complementary.

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 2007

Objective: To provide an overview of qualitative methodologies for health researchers in order to inform better research practices.Approach: Different possible goals in health research are outlined: quantifying relationships between variables, identifying associations, exploring experience, understanding process, distinguishing representations, comprehending social practices and achieving change. Three important issues in understanding qualitative approaches to research are discussed: the partiality of our view of the world, deductive and inductive approaches to research, and the role of the researcher in the research process. The methodologies of phenomenology, grounded theory, discourse analysis, ethnography, ethnomethodology and action research are illustrated.Conclusion: In order to undertake high-quality qualitative research, it is important for researchers to consider their analytic focus and methodological position.

Manual Therapy, 2012

This paper explores a number of commonly used methodologies and methods in qualitative research, namely grounded theory, case study, phenomenology, ethnography and narrative research. For each methodology a brief history of its development and variants is given, followed by typical methods of data collection and analysis. Examples of manual therapy qualitative research studies are highlighted for each methodology. Data collection methods are then discussed and include individual interviews, focus groups, observation and documentary analysis. A frequently used method of data analysis, thematic analysis, is briefly explained. Finally, the strategies to enhance the quality of qualitative research is explored and compared to those of quantitative research.

2016

2013

1. IntroductionOne of the main problems of conducting interpretive qualitative research is to decide an appropriate starting point for the research, and the basic framework within which the data will be collected and analysed. Qualitative studies tend to produce large amounts of data that are not readily amenable to mechanical manipulation, analysis and data reduction (Yin, 1984). It not only generates large amount of data, but it generates data in a non standard format which makes analysis problematic (Turner, 1983). Qualitative analysis provides an opportunity for the researcher to gain information and gather insights that may be overlooked with traditional data analysis techniques. The analysis of the case study is done in pursuant to guidance provided by many scholars in this field, (such as Glaser, 1978; Glaser and Strauss, 1967; Lofland and Lofland, 1984; and Taylor and Bogdan, 1984).The process of data analysis in qualitative research involves working with data, organising it...

Qualitative research methods: A practice-oriented introduction, 2023

My goal in this book is to make the practical aspects of qualitative research understandable and usable. Accordingly, the book is not centered on a theoretical analysis or evaluation of qualitative methods from the point of view of the philosophy of knowledge: for example, their epistemology (their understanding of what constitutes knowledge and the quality and general applicability of the knowledge they generate) or the rigorousness and standardization of their heuristics (the techniques they use to acquire what they regard as knowledge). Instead, I focus on everyday practice: I explain what concrete activities qualitative research encompasses and what advantages its advocates argue it brings. Why do people do qualitative research, what do they do, how do they do it, and is it OK?