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.