RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology

Research Methodology

Qualitative Research

The term qualitative research refers to the study of phenomena in their natural environments and to ascribing meaning to these phenomena through authentic interaction and interpretation. In qualitative research, the researcher becomes a participant in the datagathering process. This is in sharp contrast to quantitative research methods, which strive to systematically manipulate the environment in which observations are being conducted, for the purpose of eliminating any extraneous sources of influence which may impact the behavior of subjects.

Qualitative researchers generally deal with relatively small samples of individuals and collect data that are more exhaustive with respect to describing the complexity of those individuals and their environments. Qualitative researchers concern themselves with the description and interpretation of phenomena that may not be so easily assessed, for the purpose of garnering a deeper understanding of the processes that underlie them. For this reason, qualitative research methods provide a very important counterpoint to the studies conducted by quantitative researchers, and, consequently, they are valued by many social scientists.

Among the most common strategies employed in qualitative research are case studies, the life history method, ethnography, grounded theory, participatory action research, and clinical models. The case study is perhaps the most popular model for qualitative research. It involves an in-depth description and interpretation of a single case (case may be defined as any entity of interest, usually an individual, but sometimes a larger group, such as a classroom of children). Multiple methods are typically employed to collect data for case studies, including field notes, structured interviews, observations, conversations, document analysis, and many other sources. The life history method is a kind of case study that relies almost solely on the interpretation of historical documents such as biographies, autobiographies, and narrated accounts of history, to create a modern representation of another time and place.

Ethnography is the branch of social science dedicated to descriptions of peoples and their cultures. The purpose is to create representations of human group behavior through interactions with the group studied. Grounded theory refers to an approach to data gathering that is similar to ethnography, in that it consists of collecting detailed materials through field study. In grounded theory, data gathered using interviews, observations, and other methods are studied to discover phenomena and develop a theory that underlies the actions of the people being studied.

Participatory action research and clinical models are two related disciplines in qualitative research, differentiated from other strategies by their focus on not only interacting with the environment, but also actively influencing the settings in which data are being collected. That is, practitioners of both participatory action research and clinical models are purposeful, directed agents of change. The two approaches differ—participatory action researchers are dedicated to large-scale social change, often reacting to perceived injustices in the community, while clinical researchers are concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of the individuals being studied.

There are many examples of qualitative research to be found in the schools. Many of these involve case studies of students and their reactions to changes implemented ...