Which Qualitative Approach Best Fits Your Research Needs? Develop a theory grounded in data from the field Develop an in-depth description and analysis of a case or multiple cases Explore the life of an individual Understand the essence of the experience Describe and interpret a culture-sharing group Research Focus Describe and interpret the shared patterns of culture of a group Provide an in-depth understanding of a case or cases Describe the essence of a lived phenomenon Ground a theory in the views of participants Tell stories of individual experiences Research Problem Narrative Research Phenomenological Research Grounded Theory Research Ethnographic Research Case Study Research Source: Creswell & Poth (2018). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design (4th ed). Sage. (p.67)