A Closer Look on Qualitative Research

• Six Blind Men and the Elephant


  The Blind Men and the Elephant is a famous Indian poem that tells the story of six blind men who come across different parts of an elephant in their life journeys. In turn, each blind man creates his own version of reality from that limited experience and perspective.
• Research provides a solid foundation for discovery and creation of knowledge.
• Ethics


  Norms for conduct that distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior
• Ethical Principles:

  1. Honesty
  2. Objectivity
  3. Integrity
  4. Carefulness
  5. Openness
  6. Respect for Intellectual Property
  7. Confidentiality
  8. Social Responsibility
  9. Competence
  10. Legality
• Qualitative Research


  Empirical process of solving problems using data obtained from in-depth observation and interviews from a group of people or set of documents
• Qualitative Research


  A study that investigates the quality of relationships, activities, situations, or materials
• Characteristics of Qualitative Research:

  1. Human Understanding and Interpretation
  2. Multiple Research Approaches and Methods
  3. Contextualization
  4. Diversified Data in Real-life Situations
  5. Abounds with Words and Visuals
  6. Internet Analysis
• Types of Qualitative Research:

  1. Case Study
  2. Ethnography
  3. Phenomenology
  4. Grounded Theory
  5. Historical Analysis
  6. Content and Discourse Analysis
• Case Study


  Involves a long-time study of a person, group, organization, or situation
• Case Study


  Has an in-depth data collection involving multiple sources of information which are rich in context
• Ethnography


  A study of a particular cultural group to get a clear understanding of its organizational set-up, internal operation, and lifestyle
• Phenomenology


  A study of how people find their experiences meaningful
• Phenomenology


  Describes the meaning of the lived experiences
• Grounded Theory


  Generate or discover a theory that relates to a particular situation
• Grounded Theory


  Especially useful if little is known about a topic
• Historical Analysis


  A process of critical inquiry into past events in order to produce an accurate description and interpretation of those events
• Content and Discourse Analysis


  A study of language structures used in the medium of communication to discover the effects of sociological, cultural, institutional, and ideological factors on the content