5 Types of Qualitative Research Design

Summary

In this educational video, Evan Ortley introduces five types of qualitative research designs: ethnography, narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, and case studies. He explains each method with practical examples, focusing on how researchers collect and analyze data to explore cultures, personal experiences, perceptions, and theoretical insights. From studying student behaviors to creating theories based on data, each research type offers unique approaches for investigating educational contexts. The video concludes with a helpful summary chart to clarify the distinctions between these methods.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ethnography involves embedding oneself in the daily life or routine of a group to study their culture or behaviors.
• 😀 Narrative research collects data over time from interviews and documents to understand the experiences of individuals or groups.
• 😀 Phenomenology explores experiences from multiple perspectives, often using interviews, videos, and site visits.
• 😀 Grounded theory starts with data collection to generate a theory or explanation, which is tested through further investigation.
• 😀 Case study research involves in-depth analysis of a particular subject or context to derive insights and strategies.
• 😀 Ethnographic studies often face geographic constraints but offer rich insights into culture, such as bullying on a school bus or math club culture.
• 😀 Narrative research can document journeys, such as the experiences of ESOL students or a new principal’s first years.
• 😀 Phenomenology is experience-based and helps to understand decision-making, like why students choose certain books or after-school activities.
• 😀 Grounded theory uses a cyclical process of data collection, coding, and theory development to validate findings through further fieldwork.
• 😀 Case studies are used for exploring specific situations in-depth, such as understanding how students react to teaching methods or text selections.
• 😀 The five types of qualitative research designs—ethnography, narrative research, phenomenology, grounded theory, and case studies—are distinct but interconnected in understanding human behavior and experiences.

Q & A

What is ethnography, and how is it used in qualitative research?

Ethnography is a research method where the researcher immerses themselves in the daily life or routine of a group or community to observe and understand their customs, traditions, and behaviors. This type of research often requires the researcher to participate actively in the culture they are studying.

Can you provide an example of ethnography in practice?

An example of ethnography would be a researcher spending time on a school bus to study the culture of bullying. Another example could be studying the culture of a specific club, like the Mu Alpha Theta math club, at a high school.

What is narrative research and how does it differ from ethnography?

Narrative research involves collecting data over time through interviews and documents, focusing on the experiences and stories of individuals. Unlike ethnography, which focuses on culture and customs, narrative research looks at personal life journeys and experiences within a particular context.

What are some examples of narrative research?

An example of narrative research might be documenting the experiences of ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students in middle school or studying a new principal's journey during her first two years in a school.

What is phenomenology and how does it gather data?

Phenomenology is used to study an event or activity from multiple perspectives, focusing on participants' experiences and perceptions. It often involves interviews, videos, and on-site visits to gather data from a variety of participants to understand their lived experiences.

Can you give an example of phenomenology in action?

A good example of phenomenology would be a school leader or teacher studying how students choose books to read, decide which colleges to apply to, or engage in after-school activities. The focus is on understanding their choices and experiences.

What is grounded theory, and how is it used in research?

Grounded theory starts with data collection to answer a specific research question. Researchers categorize similar concepts within the data, and then develop a theory or explanation based on the data. This theory is tested and refined through further analysis and fieldwork.

How does grounded theory work in practice?

Grounded theory works in a cyclical process, where researchers collect data, analyze it, develop theories, and then verify those theories through further data collection. The process is grounded in the data itself, which is used to build theoretical frameworks.

What is a case study and when is it used?

A case study involves collecting in-depth and detailed information about a specific subject, such as a person, organization, or event. It can be used to explore, explain, or develop new strategies, understand influences, or solve specific problems within a particular context.

Can you provide an example of a case study in education?

An example of a case study in education might involve a classroom teacher studying the impact of new instructional methods on student learning or exploring how community involvement influences a school's approach to education.

How can qualitative research designs be applied to improve education?

Qualitative research designs like ethnography, narrative research, and case studies can help educators understand cultural dynamics, student experiences, and classroom environments. By gathering deep insights into these areas, teachers and school leaders can develop strategies to improve instruction, student engagement, and overall educational outcomes.

What is the primary difference between case study and grounded theory research?

While both case studies and grounded theory involve detailed data collection, case studies focus on providing an in-depth description of a particular context or subject, whereas grounded theory is aimed at developing and testing theories based on collected data. Grounded theory is more about theory generation, while case studies are more about context exploration.