Yep, it's yet another post on qualitative research. This post might be a bit all over the place (since my notes are a bit all over the place), but I'll do what I can to keep things organised.
What kinds of questions are asked in qualitative research?
Qualitative research often asks the "why" and "how" questions. As qualitative research is often open-ended and exploratory, questions may change depending on participants' experiences and responses. It may help to generate a "statement of purpose" that provides a framework or "anchor point" while not tying you down to a specific question or set of questions.
How might a researcher's perspective influence the type of research performed?
As discussed here, how we perceive reality and knowledge informs methodology, which in turn informs the actual methods used in research. Let's see some more examples of how this happens.
Phenomenology describes things as they are experienced, and requires the suspension of taken-for-granted assumptions. Phenomenologists often distil the phenomenon down to its "essence" by using a technique called free imaginative variation, in which parts of a phenomenon are changed to see if the phenomenon is still identifiable.
Grounded theory is a methodology for using qualitative data to construct theories that are grounded in the data. Researchers using grounded theory will often aim to continue until the point of data saturation (when nothing new is found). Grounded theory researchers develop abstract ideas and seek specific data to refine emerging categories. They may select cases that are the most likely to produce relevant data for testing any emerging theories.
Critical/openly ideological research is conducted with the central intention of emancipation: enabling people to gain enough knowledge and power to be in control of their own lives. Knowledge is seen to be structured by existing sets of social relations. Researchers conducting this kind of research may perform participatory action research, which seeks to actively involve participants as part of a commitment to change.
What is the role of the researcher in qualitative research?
No matter what kind of research is performed, researchers need to keep reflexivity in mind. Reflexivity is a self-aware analysis of the dynamics between the researcher and the researched. A reflexive research journal may help in this regard.
The role of the researcher may change depending on the kind of research. For example, in some kinds of studies, researchers may simply observe a phenomenon from an outsider's perspective. In other kinds of studies, researchers may become immersed in the phenomenon (e.g. attempt to become a member of a particular culture) in order to observe from an insider's perspective.
How is sampling performed?
Unlike many quantitative studies, where the sample size can be calculated from the outset using the statistical concept of power, qualitative studies allow for the flexibility to make sample size decisions throughout the course of the study. Generally, 4-40 participants are sought, but it depends on the type of study. There are many ways in which participants may be chosen: using certain predetermined criteria, looking for "typical" cases, looking for "deviant" cases, asking participants to refer other suitable participants, convenience sampling, and so on.
How are case studies used in qualitative research?
There are several ways in which case studies can be used in qualitative research. In the intrinsic approach, a researcher may seek to obtain a better understanding of a particular case, and in the instrumental approach, a case is studied to provide insight or redraw a generalisation. The multiple/collective approach can be used to jointly study a number of cases. Choosing participants for a case study is done in the same way as choosing participants for any other kind of qualitative study.
How do qualitative researchers make use of the literature?
Qualitative researchers use the literature in various ways. Firstly, they can use it to define the phenomenon of interest and identify research gaps. Secondly, they can use it to determine appropriate methodological choices. Thirdly, they can use it to compare and contrast the results from their own study (or studies).
How long does qualitative research take?
Obviously, this depends on the kind of research that you are doing. Bear in mind, though, that qualitative studies can take a lot of time: the simple act of transcribing a 1hr talk can take 5 hours or so (and that's not even getting to data analysis)!
References
Sparkes, AC & Smith, B 2013, Qualitative Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health: From Process to Product, Taylor & Francis Ltd, London.
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