PR1

• Characteristics of Qualitative Research- Naturalistic Inquiry, Inductive analysis, Holistic perspective, Personal contact and insight, Dynamic systems, Unique case orientation, Context sensitivity, Empathic neutrality, Design flexibility, Qualitative data
• Naturalistic Inquiry- Qualitative observational research is naturalistic because it studies a group in its natural setting. Patton explained that “Naturalistic inquiry is thus contrasted to experimental research where the investigator attempts to completely control the condition of the study”
• Inductive analysis- This characteristic is prevalent in qualitative research because it allows the observer to become immersed in a group. The researcher starts with answers but forms questions throughout the research process. Hypotheses and theories can continuously change depending on what the observer wants to know.
• Holistic perspective- Patton stated, “a holistic approach assumes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. In other words, almost every action or communication must be taken as a part of the whole phenomenon of a certain community or culture. However, this characteristic of qualitative What is It 5 observational research can be bothersome because it can lead researchers into taking every little action into consideration when writing a narrative.
• Personal contact and insight- The researcher is responsible for becoming a part of a group to get a more in-depth study. However, the researcher also has to be aware of biases (both good and bad)
• Dynamic systems- Qualitative observational research is not concerned with having straightforward, right or wrong answers. In addition, change in a study is common because the researcher is not concerned with finding only one answer.
• Unique case orientation- Researchers must remember that every study is special and deserves in-depth attention. This is especially necessary for doing cultural comparisons
• Context sensitivity- Researchers must realize the different variables, such as values and beliefs, that influence cultural behaviors.
• Empathic neutrality- Ideally, researchers should be non-judgmental when compiling findings. Because complete neutrality is impossible, this characteristic is a controversial aspect of qualitative research.
• Design flexibility- Researchers can continue to do research on other topics or questions that emerge from the initial research
• Qualitative data- This is a detailed description of why a culture is the way it is. Triangulation or the use of many data-gathering methods, such as field notes, interviews, writing samples, and other data, helps determine the cultural phenomenon of a group.
• Types of Qualitative Research


  Narrative research, phenomenological research, grounded theory, action research, case study, ethnographical research, historical research, content analysis.
• Narrative Research- It is a method that includes the analysis of the characteristics of the narrative text, and recently of the meaning of interhuman relations in social, historical, and cultural contexts (Felton & Stickley, 2018). It focuses on people’s narratives either about themselves or a set of events. Instead of looking for themes that emerge from an account, it concentrates on the sequential unfolding of someone’s story, so there is an emphasis on characters. It is time consuming and usually includes a very small number of cases
• Phenomenological Research- The meaning of the phenomenon is conceptualized in the interior of the individual’s awareness. Phenomenology is an approach to explore people’s everyday life experience. It is used when the study is about the life experiences of a concept or phenomenon experienced by one or more individuals. A phenomenological researcher investigates subjective phenomena (Creswell, 2009).
• Grounded Theory. This is an approach to theory development grounded/rooted in the data rather than empirical testing of the theory, that is, data are collected and analyzed, and then a theory is developed which is grounded in the data
• Grounded Theory- This is an approach to theory development grounded/rooted in the data rather than empirical testing of the theory, that is, data are collected and analyzed, and then a theory is developed which is grounded in the data
• Action Research- Action research is an emergent inquiry process that integrates theory and action to couple scientific knowledge with existing organizational knowledge and to address real organizational problems together with the people of the system under inquiry
• Case Study- Creswell (2009) defined it as a study where “Researcher makes an in-depth exploration of a program, an event, an activity, a process, or one or more individuals”. The structure of a case study should be the problem, the context, the issues, and the lessons learned (Creswell, 2014). Hence, it is a comprehensive description of an individual case and its analysis.
• Ethnographical Research. Ethnographic observation is the most intensive and in-depth observational qualitative approach. The word ethnography comes from Greek ethnos which means ‘folk, people, and nation’, and grapho means ‘I write’. Therefore, ethnography has a setting in anthropology, which means ‘portrait of a people’. It represents an approach in which the researcher engages in prolonged observations from the group’s everyday life. In this type of research, behaviors, values, and interactions among the members of the group are deeply studied, described, and interpreted by the researcher
• Historical Research. Historical research is one of the methods to describe how and where the study started, how it is developed during time, and where it stands at present. Kerlinger (1972) defined historical research as “Critical investigation of events, development, and experiences of the past, careful consideration of past testimonies from the perspective of information sources validity, and subsequent interpretation of the concerned testimonies.” Historical research seeks not only to discover the events of the past but also to relate these past happenings to the present and to the future
• Content Analysis. Content analysis is “a detailed and systematic examination of the contents of a particular body of materials for the purpose of identifying patterns, themes, or biases.” It was first used as a method for analyzing hymns, newspapers and magazines, articles, advertisements, and political speeches in the 19th century
• Importance of Qualitative Research

  Qualitative research mainly investigates the relationships between individuals and the institutions and society in which they live using a diverse range of approaches
• Research Problem: The need to have a safer, comfortable, and healthful walk or transfer of students from place to place in the School Campus (Name of your school)
• Research Topic: The construction of a covered Pathway in the School Campus (Name of your school)
• General Question: What kind of covered path should the School Campus construct? (Name of your school)
• Rules in Choosing a Research Topic

  1. Interest in the subject matter, 2. Availability of information, 3.timeliness and relevance of the topic,4. limitations on the subject,5. personal resources
• How to start a research study?

  1. The most important element that defines the research problem. 2. It is usually read first and the most read part of the research. 3. It contains the least words enough to describe the contents and the purpose of your research paper. 4. It can be revised any and many times as the research develops and reach its final phase. It becomes final on its final defense before the panel of judges.
• specific questions

  1. What materials are needed for the construction of the covered pathway in the School Campus? (Name of your school) 2. What roofing material is appropriate for the covered path? 3. In what way can the covered pathway link all buildings in the campus? 4. What is the width and height of the covered path? 5. How can the covered path realize green architecture?
• A part of a research title has the following information:

  1. The subject matter or topic to be investigated. (“What?”) 2. The place or locale where the research is to be conducted. (“Where?”) 3. The population like the respondents’ interviewees. (“Who”?) 4. The time period of the study during which the data are to be collected. (“When”?)
• Interest in the subject matter. An interest in a subject drives you to research, investigate, or inquire about it with full motivation, enthusiasm, and energy
• Availability of information. Information will serve as evidence to support your claims about your subject matter from varied forms of literature like books, journals, and newspapers, among others, is a part and parcel of any research work. What to include in the investigation of the available materials? a. Update and authority of the materials. b. Copyright dates of the materials? Are they new or old? c. Expert or qualification of the writers of reading materials about your topic
• Timeliness and relevance of the topic a. How relevant is the chosen topic? The topic should be related to the present. (Except for pure or historical research)
• Limitations on the subject. Connect your choice with course requirements. You need to decide on one topic to finish your course.
• 5. Personal resources. Do an assessment on your research abilities in terms of your financial standing, health condition, mental capacity, needed facilities, and time schedule to enable you to complete your research. You have to raise an amount of money needed to spend on questionnaire printing and interview trips.
• Avoid controversial topics in research as it depends more on the writer’s opinion leading to biases
• Too broad subjects should be avoided as it prevents focusing on the subject matter of the paper
• Vague subjects should be avoided, the subject/focus of the study should be specific
• Highly technical subjects are not advisable for beginners as these topics require advanced study, technical knowledge, and skills
• Narrow down or limit the subject to eliminate the problem of too broad subjects
• Too narrow subjects should be avoided as it requires extensive searching