Qualitative Research Dr. M. Saiful Islam MA (Dhaka), MPhil (CUHK, Hong Kong), PhD (NUS, Singapore) Department of Development Studies University of Dhaka

Outline Defining Qualitative (QL) Research Uses, Features and Processes of QL Designing QL Research Methods in QL Research – Participant Observation Method, In-depth Interview, Focus Group Discussion

Defining Qualitative Research Qualitative research is generally defined as the interpretive, humanistic and naturalistic approach to the analysis and understanding of the patterned conduct and social processes of society

Focus of Qualitative Research Qualitative researchers study social issues in their natural settings – a commitment to the value of “naturalism” They attempt to make sense of or interpret the social phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to their lives and social actions

Research Topics Appropriate for Qualitative Research Behaviours Attitudes/Beliefs/Opinions Characteristics Expectations Understandings Knowledge

Three Basic Uses of Qualitative Research Attributes a point of view, a perspective to the people whose actions we analyze Uncovers the meaning and value systems which organize social action and the “everyday lives” of people whom we study. It therefore helps to contextualize the “lived experiences” of the members.  Adheres to the sociological practice of Verstehen (understanding)

Features of Qualitative Research Local and specific constructed knowledge Historical realism – shaped by social, political, cultural, economic, ethnic, gender values Reality: a social and ideological construction by the common people Focuses on how ordinary members of society constitute and reconstitute the world of everyday life Grounded on ways the life world is produced and experienced by members

Three Pillars of Qualitative Research: Observation Participation Interviewing

Researcher as Instrument Researcher is solely responsible for the: Collection Data processing Interpretation Analysis of data

Key Methods of Data Collection Participant observation In-depth Interviews Focus group interviews

Participant-Observation (PO) The methodology of PO is used to study processes, relationships among people and events, patterns and continuities over time, as well as the immediate socio-cultural contexts in which human being live. Malinowski (1961: 25) argues that the role of the anthropologists is “to grasp the native’s point of view, his relation to life, to realize his vision of his world Capture and discover meaning once the researcher becomes immersed in the data  Data are in the form of words and images from documents, observations and transcripts  Documenting the “lived realities” and the “everyday lives”

Processes of Participant Observation Demands that the researcher stay in the setting for a longer time Data collection while observing or participating the process The researcher develop a model of what occurred in the social setting  Requires that the researchers themselves become the research instrument. This means the researcher must have the ability to observe behaviour and sharpen the skills necessary for observation and face – to - face interview

Sampling in Qualitative Research Haphazard – Get any cases in any manner that is convenient Quota – Get a preset number of cases in each of several predetermined categories that will reflect the diversity of the population Purposive – Get all possible cases that fit particular criteria Snowball – get cases using referrals from one or a few cases, and then referrals from those cases, and so forth Sequential - Get cases until there is no additional information or new characteristics

Roles Available to the Qualitative Researcher Complete Observer (covert) – The field researcher assumes an “invisible role” that permits undetected and unnoticed observation and spying Observer as Participant (overt) – The researcher’s identity is known from the beginning and the informants are aware of the researcher’s presence. The researcher mostly observes with less participation. Participant Observer (overt) – Both the researcher and member are aware of the researcher’s role and the researcher takes part in all activities as a pseudomember. More participation than observation. Complete Participantion (covert) – The researcher acts as a member and shares the secret information of insiders

In-Depth Interviews The conversations of human beings are an important part of the data of social research, as well as an important part of social research technique (Palmer 1928: 169) A controlled conversation which the researcher guides and uses to the service of his research interest. ‘Conversation with a purpose’, and induce the informants to talk. It allows the researcher to contextualize the biography and historical circumstances of the informants. The interviewer listens, attends, encourages, interrupts, departs, initiates topics, terminates responses.

Field interviews are a joint production between the researcher and researched Open-ended questions are used but a skilled interviewer would know how to control the interview situation The social context of the interview is noted and becomes important for interpreting the meaning of the responses The interviewer must be empathetic enough to adjust to the informant's norms and language usage

How to Direct an In-depth Interview Nodding of the head Reflection: repeating the last word… Ask specific question about the last thing the informant had said Probe on an idea earlier expressed... “but I thought you said that religion is not a problem for you… Introduce a new topic altogether

Focus Group Discussion (FGD) FGD has become popular in qualitative research It ensures in-depth information as well as information from different stakeholders by age, gender, class and so on The participants are selected randomly but ensuring heterogeneity Usually 7-8 participants sit together The moderator gets informants talk on the issue selected Cross-checking of information is ensured Heavily depends on how the moderator maneuvers the discussion Entirely descriptive information

Some Final Points to Ponder: Do we construct knowledge or discover knowledge? Do we construct meanings or report those meanings? How do we know it is interpretation and not imposition? Do we suspend our values and stock of knowledge? How do we resolve the subjectivity / objectivity divide? Reflexive? How to ensure the integrity, validity, and accuracy of the findings? Crisis of representation: Ethnographic research is an “account of what the researcher selected from what he understands of what his informants told him of what they understood”