Qualitative Research Methods
Qualitative Lecture 1 | introducing qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative vs Quantitative
Qualitative Quantitative
- Associated with the subjective quality of a - Associated with an objective quality of a thing
thing or phenomenon (reputation) or phenomenon that is measurable and
verifiable (heaviness)
- Emphasizes words in the collection of an - Emphasizes quantification in the collection of
analysis of data an analysis of data
One is not better than the other: they are merely different ways of understanding phenomenon.
Qualitative Quantitative
Exploring relationships Confirming relationships
Building models Testing models
Data collection methods: Data collection methods:
- Interviews - Surveys
- Focus groups - Experiments
- Existing data (sources) - Existing data (numbers)
Explaining relationships observed in a Generalizing relationships observed in a
quantitative study qualitative study
Advantages of qualitative research
- In-depth examination of phenomenon
- Uses subjective information
- Examine complex questions that can be impossible with quantitative methods
→ Quality refers to the what, how, when and where of a certain thing
Triangulation
The use of more than one method or source of data in the study of a social phenomenon, so that
findings may be cross-checked. By combining several lines of sight, researchers obtain a better and
more substantive picture of reality.
- Every method is a different line of sight directed toward the same point: observing social
and symbolic reality.
I. Data triangulation (different sample strategies)
II. Investigator triangulation (multiple perspectives)
III. Theoretical triangulation (multiple theoretical perspectives)
IV. Methodological triangulation (qualitative, quantitative approaches and data)
V. Environmental triangulation (different locations, times and seasons)
Epistemological approaches
Behaviour natural context → Observation: Qualitative
Existing material → Sources and content analysis: Qualitative
Relevant stakeholders quick scan → Questionnaire: Quantitative
Relevant stakeholders in-depth → Interviews: Qualitative
Qualitative Lecture 1 | introducing qualitative and quantitative research
Qualitative vs Quantitative
Qualitative Quantitative
- Associated with the subjective quality of a - Associated with an objective quality of a thing
thing or phenomenon (reputation) or phenomenon that is measurable and
verifiable (heaviness)
- Emphasizes words in the collection of an - Emphasizes quantification in the collection of
analysis of data an analysis of data
One is not better than the other: they are merely different ways of understanding phenomenon.
Qualitative Quantitative
Exploring relationships Confirming relationships
Building models Testing models
Data collection methods: Data collection methods:
- Interviews - Surveys
- Focus groups - Experiments
- Existing data (sources) - Existing data (numbers)
Explaining relationships observed in a Generalizing relationships observed in a
quantitative study qualitative study
Advantages of qualitative research
- In-depth examination of phenomenon
- Uses subjective information
- Examine complex questions that can be impossible with quantitative methods
→ Quality refers to the what, how, when and where of a certain thing
Triangulation
The use of more than one method or source of data in the study of a social phenomenon, so that
findings may be cross-checked. By combining several lines of sight, researchers obtain a better and
more substantive picture of reality.
- Every method is a different line of sight directed toward the same point: observing social
and symbolic reality.
I. Data triangulation (different sample strategies)
II. Investigator triangulation (multiple perspectives)
III. Theoretical triangulation (multiple theoretical perspectives)
IV. Methodological triangulation (qualitative, quantitative approaches and data)
V. Environmental triangulation (different locations, times and seasons)
Epistemological approaches
Behaviour natural context → Observation: Qualitative
Existing material → Sources and content analysis: Qualitative
Relevant stakeholders quick scan → Questionnaire: Quantitative
Relevant stakeholders in-depth → Interviews: Qualitative
