Qualitative Reasearch

In qualitative research defining the problem of the study that is being researched is a major step in the research process. The problem statement explains the reasoning for engaging in qualitative research. In a qualitative study, the problem statement will focus on investigating some processes, events or phenomenon. Qualitative research is based on the idea that individuals create social reality in the shape of meanings and interpretations, and that these constructions tend to be transitory and situational.

The purpose statement is the statement of the researcher's goal or objective of the study. The purpose statement in a qualitative study should be a statement that the intent of the study is to investigate or understand some phenomenon experienced by certain individuals at a specific research area. In qualitative research, the purpose statement want to convey a sense of an emerging design by stating the purpose of the study; is to describe, understand, develop, or discover something. A problem statement in qualitative research will reiterate and explain the main idea and the method used to collect and analyze the data.

The research questions in qualitative research should be interrogative that asks questions about a process, issue, or phenomenon. The research question is normally general, open-ended and over-arching. During the qualitative study, the analyst has to: discover the relevant variables - independent, mediating and dependent; decide the causal relationships between the variables; and gather consumers' scores on these variables.

Qualitative research typically involves qualitative data; data obtained through methods such as interviews, on-site observations, and focus groups that is in narrative rather than numerical form. Qualitative interviews are distinct from questionnaires; they rely to a larger extent on open-ended questions. Whereas survey questionnaires generally provide a fixed range of answer options, qualitative interviews invite respondents to answer questions in whatever method they like. Ethnography involves placing oneself in direct personal contact with a social group as they go about their routine affairs. In contrast to interview techniques, people are asked to disclose information to the researchers about their lives, ethnography also involves observing people's lives and circumstances first-hand.

Qualitative data analysis involves reading, rereading, and exploring the data. How the data is gathered will affect the ease of analysis and effectiveness of the findings significantly. Three general types of qualitative analysis include: concept analysis, historical analysis, or legal analysis (Penn State University, 2010). In qualitative research, a pilot study can be helpful in exploring the researcher's skills in conducting an interview and to assess whether the questions are clearly understood by the participants or whether they require modification (Vivar,