Qualitative Research Methods

Qualitative Kickoff - Why & What

• Why (Purpose): Understands experiences, meanings, context. Answers "how?" & "why?". Ideal for complex, sensitive issues.
• What (Nature): Non-numerical data (e.g., interviews, observations). Inductive: builds theory from observations.
• Focus: Depth, detail, and meaning.
• Sampling: Small, purposive samples.
• Key Difference: Unlike quantitative, it doesn't primarily aim for statistical generalization.

⭐ Its primary aim is not generalization to a population, but in-depth understanding of a specific context or phenomenon.

Method Medley - Design Dive

• Ethnography: Cultural immersion; studies social groups in natural settings.
  • Keywords: Participant observation, fieldwork, cultural patterns, emic perspective.
• Phenomenology: Explores lived experiences; seeks essence of a phenomenon.
  • Keywords: In-depth interviews, bracketing, individual perspectives, meaning-making.
• Grounded Theory: Develops theory from data; inductive approach.
  • Keywords: Constant comparative analysis, theoretical sampling, emergent theory, core category.
• Case Study: In-depth analysis of a single unit (person, group, event).
  • Keywords: Holistic understanding, multiple data sources, bounded system, contextual analysis.

⭐ Data saturation in qualitative studies, particularly Grounded Theory, signifies that new data no longer generates novel insights or themes, guiding the decision to stop data collection. This ensures richness without redundancy.

Sample Selection - Picking Participants

• Purposive Sampling: Deliberate selection of participants based on specific characteristics or knowledge they possess, aiming for information-rich cases.
• Snowball Sampling: Initial participants recruit future subjects from their acquaintances. Ideal for hard-to-reach or hidden populations.
• Convenience Sampling: Participants chosen due to easy accessibility. Quick and inexpensive, but less rigorous and prone to selection bias.

⭐ Purposive sampling is the most common method in qualitative research, seeking participants who can provide rich, relevant information.

Info Hunt - Gathering Gold

• Interviews: Uncover deep insights.
  • In-Depth (IDIs): One-on-one; explore experiences, beliefs.
  • Key Informant (KIIs): With experts/community leaders.
  • Semi-structured (guide common); purposive sampling.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Group interaction reveals norms, varied views.
  • Homogenous group, 6-12 participants; facilitator guides.
  • Skilled moderator & note-taker vital.

  ⭐ FGDs: Ideal 6-12 participants for diverse views & active participation.

• Observations: Witnessing behavior in natural settings.
  • Participant: Researcher joins & engages.
  • Non-participant: Researcher observes discreetly from outside.
  • Field notes: Essential detailed records.
• 📌 In Fact, Observe! (Interviews, FGDs, Observations) - Core methods.

Analysis & Assurance - Trusty Truths

• Data Analysis Methods:
  • Thematic Analysis: Identifies patterns (themes). Steps:

-   Others: Content, Narrative, Discourse; Grounded Theory (develops theory from data).

• Ensuring Trustworthiness (Rigor):
  • Credibility (Truth): Triangulation, member checking, prolonged engagement, peer debriefing.
  • Transferability (Applicability): Thick description, purposive sampling.
  • Dependability (Consistency): Audit trail.
  • Confirmability (Neutrality): Reflexivity, audit trail.
• Ethical Principles: Informed consent, confidentiality, beneficence, justice.

⭐ Member checking (respondent validation), where findings are shared with participants for feedback, significantly boosts credibility.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

• Qualitative research explores 'why' and 'how' of human experiences, focusing on depth, meaning, and context.
• Common methods: In-depth Interviews (IDIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and Participant Observation.
• Sampling is typically purposive, selecting information-rich participants or cases.
• Data saturation (no new themes emerging) often guides sample size.
• Analysis is iterative, involving coding, categorizing, and identifying themes (e.g., thematic analysis).
• Trustworthiness (credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability) is key, often enhanced by triangulation.