After reading, “Choosing Qualitative Research: A Primer for Technology Education
Researchers,” I know more about qualitative research than I did one day
ago. However with all the information I
have now absorbed, I must be a realist and understand that there is no
universal definition of qualitative research.
With an understanding of this, I will still attempt to present my
definition of qualitative research methods (in its simplest terms). Qualitative approaches to research are based
on a broad based view of a problem in which there is not a finite reality. This reality is based on upon observations,
interpretations, perceptions and attitudes of each person/researcher and given
the situation of context, change may occur.
Examples of qualitative research methods are action research, case
study, grounded theory, historical methods, in-depth interviews and focus
groups. Qualitative research differs
from quantitative research in that the data collected is not statistically
based.
There are several elements/characteristics in
qualitative research. The first would be
“using
natural setting as the source”.
Qualitative research best works if it takes place in natural settings,
this is often supported by using several methods of research such as
observations, interviews, and document reviews in the natural setting of the
participant. (My personal perspective; keeping the environment the as close to
normal as possible to replicate a comfortable environment). The next element is when the researcher acts as
the “human
instrument” for data collection.
This human instrument can either be a stand-alone or as a compliment to
another participant in the collection of data.
(My personal perspective;
something as simple as a time keeper in an observation or someone looking for
key trigger words in an interview). The
next characteristic in qualitative research is researchers’ predominant use of “inductive
data analysis”. There are
several main points to inductive data analysis to include: general raw text
data in a brief, summary format; clear links between the objectives and the
overall findings from the raw data and the development of a framework about the
underlying structure of experiences which are evident in the raw data. (My personal
perspective; repeated actions are presented in raw data, without the restraints
of structured techniques). The
fourth element of qualitative research reports is descriptive, incorporating
expressive language and the "presence of voice in the text". More than any other technique, this element allows
the participants and responders have the ability to speak. (My
personal perspective; an example question in such research would be “tell me
how you feel about or view this situation”). Number five is has an interpretive character,
aimed at discovering the meaning events have for the individuals who experience
them, and the interpretations of those meanings by the researcher. (My
personal perspective: deep insight into the studied problem and translating participants
thought processes into a language that can be easily understood by the average
educated readers). The sixth feature
is researchers pay attention to the idiosyncratic as well as the
pervasive, seeking the uniqueness of each case.
A simple definition of idiosyncratic
means, “a structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or
group…one size does not fit all”. (My personal perspective; don’t always depend
on reliability because every individual will have a different reaction, even if
the situation or stimulus is replicated in the same way) The seventh element has an emergent design, focusing on evolving
process as well as the outcomes or product of the research. There is not an expected outcome based on the
research. (My personal perspective is revisions should be the normal behavior of
any research…we will rebuild the mouse trap until we are satisfied with the
final product…it may start out blue and in the end, be red). Last but not least is research uses special
criteria for trustworthiness. There
needs to be a certain degree of trust between researcher and participant...trustworthiness. This element is not achieved instantly in any
situation. In any qualitative research
project, several issues require attention: credibility, transferability,
dependability, and conformability. (My
personal perspective, several questions are asked, the participant wants to
know if the study is worth their time and the reader of the study ask the
question, “is the study worth my attention”).
I must admit I have a personal connection when it comes to
qualitative research. I feel it focuses
on the true meaning of the study and not just a bunch of numbers that say if
something is true or not. When conducting
a study, detailed explanation and use of expressive language is a very powerful
tool. Because of the quantitative
research process adopted buy a major university, I withdrew from my doctoral
program. My desire was to find a school
that was based on qualitative research.
My personal perspective is qualitative research requires a certain degree
of passion for human reaction, something I believe cannot be duplicate with stand-alone
statistical numbers
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