The nature of Qualitative Research “An inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a complex, holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting” Cresswell (1994).

"any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p. 17). "any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of quantification" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p. 17).Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p. 17Strauss and Corbin, 1990, p. 17

"the special task of the social scientist in each generation is to pin down the contemporary facts. Beyond that, he shares with the humanistic scholar and the artist in the effort to gain insight into contemporary relationships" "the special task of the social scientist in each generation is to pin down the contemporary facts. Beyond that, he shares with the humanistic scholar and the artist in the effort to gain insight into contemporary relationships" (Cronbach 1975:126) 1975

Qualitative researchers: Advocate a "paradigm of choices" that seeks " methodological appropriateness as the primary criterion for judging methodological quality." Advocate a "paradigm of choices" that seeks " methodological appropriateness as the primary criterion for judging methodological quality." allows for a "situational responsiveness" that strict adherence to one paradigm or another will not. allows for a "situational responsiveness" that strict adherence to one paradigm or another will not.

Paradigm framework made up of: P Philosophy OOntology E Epistemology M Methodology

Scientific paradigm (Quantitative) Scientific paradigm (Quantitative) P Scientific materialism O Laws of nature E Measurable and observable ‘proof’ M Experiment, large scale data collection, quantitative analysis

Humanistic/Post Modern paradigm P Homocentric reality as a social construct, contextual verities O The nature of the psyche, of perception, creativity, intelligence E Self verified evidence, grounded theory, recorded testimony M Phenomenology, ethnography, depth interviews

Characteristics of Good Qualitative Research Design aspects o Emergent Design o Design depends on purpose of inquiry o Natural setting as source of data o Empathic neutrality o Human-as-instrument

o Exploratory & Descriptive focus o Begin with a single focus o Interpretive in character

Data collection/production aspects o No strict criteria for sample size o Attend to the idiosyncratic o Write persuasively: Thick description o Early and on-going inductive analysis

o Research problems framed as open-ended questions o Judged using special criteria for trustworthiness o Emphasis on holistic treatment of phenomena

o Non-interventionist o Centrality of interpretation: findings are assertions o Emphasis on emic issues, alternative interpretations, & "multiple realities" expected.

Strategic ideals Distinction between quantitative & qualitative methods is more a matter of emphasis than of boundary. The most important differences in emphasis are: –the distinction between aiming for explanation and aiming for understanding; –the distinction between the personal and the impersonal role of the researcher.

inquiry for making explanations vs. inquiry for promoting understanding are epistemologically quite different inquiry for making explanations vs. inquiry for promoting understanding are epistemologically quite different ( formalisation of cause & effect: informal understandings of experience) E.g., teaching vs. learning. Preparing to teach in didactic fashion is different from preparing experiential opportunities for learners.

Quantitative research: aims to improve theoretical comprehension. Quantitative research: aims to improve theoretical comprehension. Qualitative research: aims to generate descriptions and situational interpretations of phenomena for modifying understandings of the phenomena. Qualitative research: aims to generate descriptions and situational interpretations of phenomena for modifying understandings of the phenomena.

Recognition of risks. Contributions toward an improved and disciplined science are slow and tendentious. Contributions toward an improved and disciplined science are slow and tendentious. New questions more frequent than answers. New questions more frequent than answers. Results pay off little in the advancement of social practice. Results pay off little in the advancement of social practice. Ethical risks are substantial. Ethical risks are substantial. Cost is high. Cost is high.

Subjectivity not a failing to be eliminated but an essential element of understanding. Subjectivity not a failing to be eliminated but an essential element of understanding. Understanding frequently will be misunderstanding, by the researchers and by their readers. Understanding frequently will be misunderstanding, by the researchers and by their readers.