Types of Qualitative Research Designs ~GM Lectures

Summary

This video script explores qualitative research designs, emphasizing their focus on understanding the world through participants' perspectives. It outlines various types, including case studies, ethnography, phenomenology, historical analysis, content and discourse analysis, and grounded theory. Each design is characterized by in-depth data collection and analysis, with context-specific results. The script also highlights the importance of researchers' active involvement and the subjectivity of findings.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Qualitative research focuses on understanding the world from the perspectives of participants.
• 👥 It involves the active participation of researchers in the data collection process.
• 📊 The results of qualitative research are often subjective and influenced by participants' experiences.
• 📚 There are several types of qualitative research designs, including case studies, ethnography, phenomenology, historical analysis, content and discourse analysis, and grounded theory.
• 📖 Case studies involve in-depth, long-term examination of a person, group, or phenomenon.
• 🌐 Ethnography is the study of a cultural group to understand their beliefs and practices.
• 🌟 Phenomenology aims to examine the unique human experiences regarding certain phenomena.
• 📜 Historical analysis looks at primary documents to understand past events' connections to the present.
• 📰 Content and discourse analysis involves examining text or communication modes to reveal communication patterns.
• 🔬 Grounded theory is about discovering new theories during data collection and analysis.
• 📝 Qualitative research designs use various data gathering methods like interviews, observations, and fieldwork.
• 👤 Sampling in qualitative research is typically smaller and involves context-specific, carefully selected participants.

Q & A

What is qualitative research?

Qualitative research is a type of research that focuses on explaining the reality of the world through the perspectives of the participants. It is characterized by the researcher's active involvement when interacting with participants and gathering data in a natural setting. The results tend to be subjective, influenced by the perceptions and opinions of the respondents based on their experiences.

What are the different types of qualitative research designs mentioned in the script?

The script mentions six different types of qualitative research designs: case studies, ethnography, phenomenology, historical analysis, content and discourse analysis, and grounded theory.

How does a case study in qualitative research differ from other types?

Case studies involve a long time and in-depth study of a person, group, organization, or situation or phenomena. They are often used to narrow down a broad field of research into one or a few easily researchable examples and are useful for testing whether a specific theory and model applies to real-world phenomena.

What is the purpose of ethnography in qualitative research?

Ethnography involves studying a particular cultural group to understand their belief systems and practices. It aims for an in-depth understanding of the organizational setup and lifestyle of the group members and falls under the field of anthropology.

Can you provide an example of a phenomenology study from the script?

An example of a phenomenology study given in the script is when a researcher aims to recognize the different strategies used by foreign students to adapt to new language learning environments. The researcher would interact with participants through interviews to identify their experiences, struggles, and adapting strategies.

How does historical analysis in qualitative research work?

Historical analysis involves examining primary documents to understand the connection of past events to the present time. Researchers rely on primary sources of historical data, such as direct accounts of events, archival data, official documents, personal records, and eyewitness records.

What is the focus of content and discourse analysis in qualitative research?

Content and discourse analysis focuses on analyzing or examining the text or content of the modes of communication. It is conducted to identify intentions, focus or communication trends, describe attitudinal and behavioral responses, reveal international differences, and determine the psychological or emotional state of a person or group.

What is the main goal of grounded theory in qualitative research?

The main goal of grounded theory is to discover a new theory to underlie the study at the time of data collection and analysis. It helps offer an explanation about the main concern of the participants involved in the research.

How are participants selected in qualitative research?

In qualitative research, participants are carefully selected and are usually experts or knowledgeable about the topic being studied, members of a specific group that is the focus of the study, or witnesses with first-hand experiences related to the topic or phenomenon.

What are the key characteristics of qualitative research designs when it comes to data gathering?

Qualitative research designs involve interviews, observations, direct interaction with participants, and may have multiple sessions. They often occur within a specific time frame and involve a relatively smaller, context-specific population sample.

Why is it important for researchers to understand the differences between qualitative research designs?

Understanding the differences between qualitative research designs is important for researchers to determine which design is most suitable for their research goals. Each design has its characteristics and procedures that help achieve specific objectives.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Qualitative Research

The video begins with an introduction to qualitative research, emphasizing its focus on understanding the world from the perspectives of participants. It highlights the researcher's active involvement in data collection in natural settings and the subjective nature of the results, which are influenced by the participants' experiences and opinions. The video then explores various types of qualitative research designs, including case studies, ethnography, phenomenology, historical analysis, grounded theory, and content and discourse analysis.

05:00

🔍 Case Studies and Ethnography

This section delves into case studies, which involve in-depth, long-term examination of individuals, groups, organizations, or phenomena. Case studies are useful for narrowing broad research fields and testing theories in real-world contexts. An example is provided where researchers observe students' vocabulary development across different academic strands. Ethnography is then discussed, focusing on studying cultural groups to understand their beliefs, practices, and lifestyles. The example of observing people living in remote areas to understand their culture and practices is given, with an emphasis on direct interaction and immersion.

10:01

🌐 Phenomenology, Historical Analysis, and Content Analysis

Phenomenology is introduced as a method to examine unique and meaningful human experiences related to specific phenomena, aiming to present a detailed discussion of participants' lived experiences. An example is provided where researchers explore strategies used by foreign students to adapt to new language learning environments. Historical analysis is then explained, involving the examination of primary documents to understand connections between past events and the present. The example of studying the development of the educational system in the Philippines is used to illustrate this method. Content analysis is also discussed, focusing on analyzing text or communication modes to identify communication trends, attitudes, and behavioral responses.

📊 Grounded Theory and Summary of Qualitative Research Designs

Grounded theory is presented as a method where researchers discover new theories during data collection and analysis, offering explanations about participants' main concerns. It involves various data collection methods to uncover the 'how' and 'why' behind phenomena. The video then provides a summary of the different qualitative research designs, discussing their objectives, data gathering methods, and sampling techniques. It emphasizes that qualitative research is characterized by the involvement of participants' opinions, ideas, beliefs, and perspectives, derived from their meaningful experiences. The video concludes by stressing the importance of understanding the differences among qualitative research designs to select the most suitable approach for research goals.

Keywords

💡Qualitative Research

Qualitative research focuses on exploring and understanding participants' experiences and perspectives in a natural setting. In the video, it is defined as research that explains reality through the subjective experiences of respondents. The researcher plays an active role in gathering data, making the outcomes influenced by participants' personal perceptions.

💡Case Studies

A case study is a qualitative research design involving an in-depth and long-term examination of a specific person, group, organization, or phenomenon. The video provides an example of observing vocabulary development in students over their high school years, which helps narrow broad research fields into more manageable studies.

💡Ethnography

Ethnography is a research method aimed at understanding the culture, beliefs, and practices of a specific group. The video describes it as involving immersion in the group's environment and using interviews and observations. An example in the video is studying people living in remote areas to understand their traditional practices.

💡Phenomenology

Phenomenology focuses on exploring and describing the lived experiences of participants regarding a particular phenomenon. In the video, an example involves examining how foreign students adapt to new language learning environments, emphasizing the uniqueness and meaning of individual experiences.

💡Historical Analysis

Historical analysis examines primary documents and historical data to explore the connections between past and present events. In the video, an example discusses analyzing the evolution of the educational system in the Philippines, using primary sources like archival data and personal records to identify trends over time.

💡Content and Discourse Analysis

Content and discourse analysis involves examining text or modes of communication to understand trends, attitudes, and responses. The video describes this method as useful for analyzing communication patterns and differences, such as studying journalism language to see how it differs from regular communication.

💡Grounded Theory

Grounded theory is a research method where a new theory is developed during data collection and analysis. The video explains that the researcher discovers the underlying concerns of participants through interviews, fieldwork, and artifact studies. Grounded theory provides an explanation for 'how' and 'why' phenomena occur.

💡Subjectivity

Subjectivity refers to the influence of personal perspectives, opinions, and experiences on the results of qualitative research. The video emphasizes that the results of qualitative studies are subjective, as they are shaped by the participants' individual perceptions, making it distinct from objective, data-driven research.

💡Sampling

Sampling in qualitative research involves selecting a small, specific group of participants who are directly relevant to the study. The video highlights purposive sampling, where participants are chosen for their expertise or experience with the research topic. For instance, a researcher might focus on foreign students when studying language adaptation.

💡Interviews and Observations

Interviews and observations are key methods of data collection in qualitative research. In the video, they are mentioned in connection to several research designs, including case studies, ethnography, and phenomenology. These methods allow researchers to gather rich, first-hand data directly from participants, contributing to deeper understanding.

Highlights

Qualitative research focuses on explaining the reality of the world through the perspectives of participants.

Qualitative research is characterized by the researcher's active involvement when interacting with participants.

Results of qualitative research are subjective and affected by the perceptions and opinions of the respondents.

Different types of qualitative research designs include case studies, ethnography, phenomenology, historical analysis, ground theory, and content in discourse analysis.

Case studies involve a long time and in-depth study of a person, group, organization, or phenomena.

Ethnography studies a particular cultural group to understand their belief systems and practices.

Phenomenology examines the human experience regarding a certain phenomenon, recognizing each experience as unique.

Historical analysis examines primary documents to understand the connection of past events to the present time.

Content and discourse analysis involves the examination of text or content of communication modes.

Grounded theory is used when a researcher discovers a new theory during data collection and analysis.

Case studies are useful for testing whether a specific theory applies to real-world phenomena.

Ethnography provides a first-hand experience of the practices of a group and their testimonies.

Phenomenology aims to present a detailed discussion of the lived experiences of the participants.

Historical analysis relies on primary sources of historical data for its study.

Content and discourse analysis helps identify communication trends and differences.

Grounded theory offers an explanation about the main concern of the participants involved in the research.

Qualitative research designs have relatively smaller, context-specific population samples.

Researchers use purposive sampling, involving experts or knowledgeable individuals relevant to the study topic.

Qualitative research is characterized by the involvement of the opinions, ideas, beliefs, and perspectives of selected participants.

Transcripts

good day everyone in this video we're

going to discuss

qualitative research designs

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but before anything else let's have a

short review of what qualitative

research is

qualitative research is a type of

research that focuses on explaining the

reality of the world through the

perspectives of the participants

also

qualitative research is characterized by

the researchers active involvement when

interacting with participants when

gathering data in the natural setting

and lastly in qualitative research the

results of the research study tend to be

subjective

as it is affected by the perceptions and

opinions of the respondents

based on their experiences

now that we have discussed what

qualitative research is the next

question is

what are the different types of

qualitative research designs

it is worth noting that qualitative

research has different types namely

case studies ethnography phenomenology

historical analysis ground theory and

content in discourse analysis

now at this point we're going to talk

about the different types of qualitative

research designs

starting with case studies case studies

involve a long time and in-depth study

of a person

group organization or situation or

phenomena

case studies are often used to narrow

down a very broad field of research into

one or a few easily researchable

examples

it is worth noting that case studies are

also useful for testing whether a

specific theory and model

actually applies to phenomena in the

real world

with this in mind let's have this

example when we have a study on how

students vocabulary development

is influenced by their environment the

theory

is that environment influences a

person's vocabulary acquisition

and development with this in mind

the researcher would then observe

different groups of students

one group of students would be enrolled

in humanities and social sciences strand

while the other group of students would

be enrolled in the strand of science

technology engineering and mathematics

since case studies would involve a long

time the researcher would have multiple

observations starting with the beginning

of the senior high school years

in the middle of the senior high school

and at the end

of the senior high school years of the

students from there

the researcher could compare whether

there's an actual difference or

similarities in terms of the manner of

conversation

expressions used and known vocabulary

words between

the humanities and social sciences group

and the science technology engineering

and mathematics group

based on the results the researcher

would then be able to come up with

conclusions

and recommendations

next we have ethnography ethnography

involves studying a particular cultural

group

in order to get a clear understanding of

their belief systems and practices

ethnography also aims to have a more

in-depth understanding of the

organizational setup and lifestyle

of the members of the group it is also

worth noting

that ethnography falls under the field

of anthropology

with this in mind let's have this

example wherein we're

going to have a study that observes the

culture and practice of people living in

far-flung areas away from modernization

with this in mind the researcher would

observe a group of people

who are members of a group who are

living in far-flung areas

the researcher then directly interacts

with these group of people

through interviews observations and

immersion these kinds of practices help

the researcher have first

hand experience of the practice of the

members of the group

as well as obtain first-hand testimonies

from the research participants

and present accurate reports regarding

the research subject

since the researcher is able to interact

with them directly and personally

however in ethnography since the

research

involves a particular group of people

the results are context

specific when we say context specific it

means that the findings are applicable

only

to that specific group of people and not

to the general public

next we have phenomenology phenomenology

aims to

examine the human experience regarding a

certain phenomenon

also it recognizes that each experience

is unique

and meaningful as such one of the

objectives of phenomenology is to

present

a detailed discussion of the lived

experience of the participants that are

involved in the study

with this in mind let's have this

example when a researcher aims to

recognize the different strategies used

by foreign students

to adapt to new language learning

environments

based on this example the researcher

would involve different foreign students

who are studying

in a particular country from there

the researcher then interacts with the

participants through interviews

such as focus group discussions or

in-depth interviews during these

discussions or interviews

the researcher would then be able to

identify the different experiences

struggles as well as the adapting

strategies that are used by the

participants

and from there the researcher will be

able to come up with a detailed

discussion of results

the next type of qualitative research

design is historical analysis

historical analysis involves examination

of primary documents to make you

understand the connection of past

events to the present time in historical

analysis

researchers rely on primary sources of

historical data

let's have this example where we're

going to discuss the development of the

educational system

in the philippines with this in mind a

researcher needs to have

primary sources of historical data some

examples

would be direct accounts of events

archival data official documents

personal records and eyewitness records

once the researcher is able to have an

analysis

of these sources of information the

researcher would then be able to

identify

how the educational system in the past

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is connected with the educational system

in the present in terms of policy

changes

trends shifts teaching strategy

developments

and update in the materials that have

been used

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next we focus on content in the sports

analysis

this type of qualitative research design

requires an analysis or examination of

text or content of the modes of

communication

furthermore according to

publichealth.columbia.edu

content in this course analysis is

conducted for the following reasons

one would be to identify the intentions

focus or communication trends of an

individual

group or institution another would be to

describe the attitudinal and behavioral

responses to communications

to reveal international differences in

terms of communication content

reveal the patterns in communication

content and to determine the

psychological or

emotional state of a person or groups

for example if a researcher wants to

determine

or understand the language of journalism

as mentioned earlier the researcher

would then have an analysis of the

different modes of communication such as

journals articles and audiovisual

materials

based on this analysis the researcher

would then be able to identify

how journalism jargons or the language

of journalism

has similarities and differences in

terms of

regular communication jargons

and lastly we have grounded theory

this takes place when a researcher

discovers a new theory to underlie his

study at the time of data collection

and analysis also grounded theory helps

offer an

explanation about the main concern of

the participants

involved in the research we have to take

note that in grounded theory a

researcher

through various means of data collection

such as interviews

observations field fieldwork focus group

discussions

and study of artifacts and text is able

to discover an idea

that would explain the how and why

behind a particular phenomenon

now at this point we're going to have a

short summary of the different types of

qualitative research designs in terms of

objectives

case studies are conducted in order to

have an in-depth examination about a

particular case or phenomenon

while ethnography is done to help the

researcher learn more about the life and

practice of a different group of people

or a specific group of people

phenomenology is conducted to provide a

detailed discussion of the meaningful

experiences of the participants

while historical analysis aims to

identify the connections between

past and present events

content and discourse analysis is also

conducted

to analyze the different modes of

communication

in order to determine possible

differences

while grounded theory is done in order

to discover a possible explanation

behind a particular phenomenon

when it comes to data gathering case

studies involve

interviews observations direct

interaction with participants and may

have multiple sessions

while ethnography while it also involves

interviews

observations immersions it is done

within a specific time frame

with regard to data gathering for

phenomenology it involves

interviews observations focus group

discussions and

done at a specific time while historical

analysis involves analysis of primary

sources of data which may involve

also interviews with experts of the

topic

for content in this course analysis it

involves analysis or

examination of text or content of the

different modes of communication

and grounded theory involves interviews

observations

different kinds of fieldwork study of

artifacts and texts

now when it comes to sampling all the

different qualitative research designs

would have

relatively smaller population sample

all population samples are context

specific and are carefully selected

meaning to say that when it comes to

selecting participants

researchers conducting a qualitative

research would usually

involve propositive sampling

participants may

be experts or people who are

knowledgeable with regard to the topic

that is being studied

group members of a specific group that

is being the focus

of a certain study or witnesses or those

who have first-hand experiences

with regard to a particular topic or

phenomenon that is being covered in a

study

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in a nutshell qualitative research is

characterized by the involvement of the

opinions

ideas beliefs and perspectives of the

selected participants

as a result of their meaningful

experiences

much like quantitative research

qualitative research

also has various research designs each

with characteristics and procedures that

would help a researcher achieve his

objectives

when deciding to conduct a qualitative

research it is necessary that

researchers become familiar

with how each qualitative research

design is different

in order to determine which is most

suitable

for their research goals