Qualitative Research - Essay Example

Qualitative Research Qualitative research is the process of gathering and collecting non-numerical data. Itis a tool used in a wide range of disciplines but it is traditionally prominent in social sciences. By using this method of research, the researchers purport to obtain a deeper understanding of human behaviour and the causes that lead to such patterns of behaviour. As qualitative research seeks to gather in-depth and detailed data, samples used herein are smaller and more focussed as compared to the commonly used large sample sizes (Camic, Rhodes & Yardley, 2003).

In psychology, qualitative research has been described as the type of research whose findings and observations are not obtained via statistical means or any other quantitative techniques (Howitt, 2013). Qualitative research has come to be commonly termed a being ‘naturalistic’. This is so due to the fact that its main goal is to gain a better comprehension of the patterns of human behaviour in a natural context. In addition to its main goal, qualitative research aims to obtain knowledge on certain phenomena from the view of the research participants and to understand the meanings attached to peoples personal experiences (Parker, 2005).

In doing this, it uses a naturalistic approach to gather the required data; applying processes such as observation, conducting interviews, ethnography and involving participant groups. Each of these methods used by the researcher aims to gain an comprehension of the participants’ perspectives in the setting of their usual everyday life (Yardley, 2000). In a different context, qualitative research is said to have a goal of understanding the observations and data collected from a sample that has been studied or one that is currently under study rather than using such data to make generalisations on a population.

Data collected using qualitative research would be irrelevant if not analysed correctly. Analysis of qualitative data is quite difficult and often requires a thorough description of the participant responses during interviews in order to make thematic classification (Smith, 2008). An individual carrying out qualitative research can apply a wide variety of ways to analyse the gathered data. A popular method of data analysis in qualitative research that is commonly applied is the grounded theory.

However, other methods are also used in analysing data such as theme analysis, discourse analysis and conversation analysis among others. In gathering data, qualitative research places great emphasis on fieldwork as a tool in obtaining information. This would hence mean that a researcher should be physically present to observe and participate in the phenomenon being observed rather than obtain such data from secondary sources (Mertens, 2009). Since data obtained through qualitative research is in-depth, the research process is conducted carefully and in some cases may take long periods before completion.

The major steps in conducting an efficient and effective qualitative research are data collection, analysis and presentation of the findings, the most essential steps being data collection and analysis (Morgan, 1998). In carrying out a good qualitative research, I would thus follow the above mentioned procedure. Data Collection Data collection involves obtaining quality data pertaining to the specific research topic. In practise, the researcher is the primary instrument for the collection of data (Willig, 2013).

The data I would collect as a researcher would mainly be obtained from observations made on the participants, conducting interviews, questionnaires and focus groups. In participant observation, I would have to become part of a culture or a group and adopt behaviours that are in conformity with the particular setting. In doing so, I would hence gain a better view and understanding of the cultural practises in that setting and the motivations that lead to particular behavioural patterns and emotions.

In using the focus group technique, I would have to a moderator’s position in conducting a group discussion and interaction on the specified topic of interest. In conducting interviews, I would engage individual research participants in a discussion where I get to ask them open ended questions to get an insight on their perspectives of the particular topic of study. In using these methods of data collection, I would have to make certain that it covers all the areas of interest exhaustively so as to avoid making vague assumptions.

Data Analysis Subsequent to data collection, the collected data has to be analysed in detail in order to make informed conclusions on the study topic (Yardley, 200). In analysing the data collected, my main aim would be to summarize, interpret and generalise data accurately. The analysis purports to provide an explanation on the phenomena under observation (Smith, 2008). In data analysis, I would have to be patient as a researcher so as not to miss out on any important links in the observed phenomena.

The two main techniques applied in the analysis of collected data are the Meaning-focused approach and the Discovery-focused approach. In my analysis, I would employ both procedures in tandem so as to obtain optimum deductions from the data. In using the Meaning- focused technique, my aim would be to understand the experiences of the participants in their own perspective as opposed to my own conceptions of their experiences. The Discovery-based technique on the other hand would enable me to establish patterns and relationships in the sets of data collected.

References Camic, P. M., Rhodes, J. E., & Yardley, L. E. (2003). Qualitative research in psychology: Expanding perspectives in methodology and design. American Psychological Association. Howitt, D. (2013). Introduction to qualitative methods in psychology 2nd Ed. Harlow: Pearson Education. Mertens, D. M. (2009). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage. Morgan, D. L. (1998). Practical strategies for combining qualitative and quantitative Methods: Applications to health research.

Qualitative health research, 8(3), 362-376. Parker, I. (2005). Qualitative psychology: Introducing radical research. New York: McGraw-Hill International. Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology. Open University Press. Yardley, L. (2000). Dilemmas in Qualitative Health Research. Psychology & Health, 15:2, 215 – 228. Yardley, L. (2008). Demonstrating validity in qualitative psychology. In J.A. Smith (Ed), Qualitative Psychology: A Practical Guide to Research Methods 2nd Ed. (pp.235 – 251).

London: Sage. Smith, A, J. (2008).Qualitative psychology: a practical guide to research methods 2nd Ed. London: Sage.