This involves a long-time study of a person, group, organization, or situation

In this Webquest, you will have an in-depth exploration of what Qualitative Research is. In this section, you will acquire new knowledge about Qualitative Research like its advantages and disadvantages, characteristics and types. Grab your pencil or pen and a 1 whole sheet of paper and let us take a step towards learning!

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

-obtain a through or in-depth knowledge of qualitative research;

-clarify understanding of qualitative research;

- justify the usefulness of qualitative research.

Topic: Qualitative Research

                This is a research type that puts premium or high value on people thinking or point of view conditioned by their personal traits. As such, it usually takes place in soft sciences, politics, economics, humanities, education, psychology, nursing and all business-related subjects.

Characteristics of Qualitative Research

1. Human understanding and interpretation
2. Active, powerful and forceful
3. Multiple research approaches and methods
4. Specificity to generalization
5. Contextualization
6. Diversified data in real-life situations
7. Abounds with words and visuals
8. Internal Analysis

Types of Qualitative Research

1. Case Study

This type of qualitative research usually takes place in the field of social care, nursing, psychology, rehabilitation centers education, etc. This involves a long time study of person, group or situation. Finding the reason behind such occurrence drives you to also delve into relationships of people related to the case under study. Varieties of data collection methods such as interviews, questionnaires, observations, and documentary analysis are used in a case study.

1. Ethnography

Falling in the field of anthropology. Ethnography is the study of a particular cultural group to get a clear understanding of its organizational set-up, internal operation, and lifestyle.

1. Phenomenology

Coming from the word “phenomenon”. Which means something known through sensory experience, phenomenology refers to the study of how people find their experiences meaningful. Its primary goal is to make people understand their experiences about death of loved ones, care for handicapped persons, friendliness of people.

1.  Content and Discourse Analysis

Content Analysis is a method of quantitative research that requires an analysis or examination of the substance or content of the mode of communication (letters, books, journals, photos, video recordings, SMS, online messages, emails, audio-visual materials) used by a person or group.

Discourse Analysis- is the study of language structures used in the medium of communication to discover the effects of sociological, cultural, institutional and ideological factors on the content.

1. Historical Analysis

Central to this qualitative research method is the examination of primary documents to make you understand the connection of past events to the present time.

1. Grounded Theory

Grounded Theory takes place when you discover a new theory to underlie your study at the time of data collection and analysis.

Advantages or Strengths of Qualitative Research

1. It adopts a naturalistic approach to its subject matter, which means that those involve in the research understand things based on what they find meaningful.
2. It promotes a full understanding of human behavior or personality traits in their natural setting.
3. It is instrumental for positive societal changes.
4. It engenders respect for people’s individuality as it demands the researcher’s careful and attentive stand toward people’s world views.
5. It is a way of understanding and interpreting social interactions.
6. It increases the researcher’s interest in the study as it includes the researcher’s experience or background knowledge in interpreting verbal and visual data.
7. It offers multiple ways of acquiring and examining knowledge about something.

Disadvantages or weaknesses of Qualitative Research

1. It involves a lot of researcher’s subjectivity.
2. It is hard to know the validity and reliability of the data.
3. Its open-ended questions yield “data overload” that requires long-time analysis.
4. It is time-consuming.
5. It involves several processes, which results greatly depend on the researcher’s views or interpretations.

To assess your level of understanding, take the test before your leave.

Instruction: Name the type of qualitative research best suited for the following topics.

1. The Mangyan's Burial Place

2. The Effectiveness of the Speaking in English Policy

3. Memoirs of a Geisha

4. The Linguistic Nature of the Badjao Tribe

5. Student Activism in Duterte's Administration

6. Domestic Helpers in Middle East

7. Teacher Competence and Learning

8. Teenage Pregnancy in PCPGTVSFA

9. Effects of Kpop to Students Cultural Awareness

10.Grade 11 Science Textbook

II. Explain the concepts you have learned by answering the following questions.

1. What comes to your mind the moment you hear Qualitative Research?

2. If you want to conduct a research about your favorite restaurant, what method of qualitative research is appropriate for your study?

3. Given a chance to research, would you right away choose Qualitative Research? Give reasons for your answers.

4. Can all research methods be used in one research study? Why? Why not?

Your answers will be checked during your PR 1 subject. Make sure you have answered all the questions an bring your paper with you.

What type of qualitative research involves a study of a certain cultural group or organization?

What type of qualitative research studies a particular group to get clear understanding of its organizational set up internal operation and lifestyle?

What is research that involves an in depth study of an individual or group of individuals?

What type of research studies an ongoing practice of an organization or institution for the purpose of obtaining results that will bring improvements in the system?