The Value of Qualitative Research Essays - Qualitative Research

The Value of Qualitative Research George Hinton SOC333: Research Methods Instructor: Risa Garelick 5/8/17 The intent of qualitative research is that of addressing questions relative to development of comprehension where humans' lives and social worlds are concerned by/through dimensions of meaning and experiences (2002). The key to good qualitative research is whether the subjective actions, meanings, and social contexts of the research participants are highlighted, as comprehended by them (2002). What is qualitative research? The term/word qualitative implies emphasis on definitions, traits, and methodologies that aren't looked at on an experimental level or possibly measured in terms of amount, quantity, frequency, or intensity (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000). Many behavioral and social scientists consider qualitative inquiry modes of research to be just as much viewpoint on approaching investigative research problems as it is a method (Denzin 2000). The three key elements that define a qualitative research study are: design, collection of data, and analysis. Each of these take on applied forms in the investigation of a research problem. The design of qualitative research may be naturalistic, emergent, or purposeful. The naturalistic design has a lack of predetermined restrictions concerning findings as the researcher is open to whatever it comes, how it comes. Simply stated, naturalistic references study of real-world scenarios as they naturally unfold. Emergent design refers to the acceptance of adapting the question as comprehension deepens and circumstances change; the researcher pursues new discovery paths as they unveil themselves. The purposeful design presents cases for research/examination because they are rich in information and shed light in terms of interest in the phenomenon/phenomena. These include: people, communities, cultures, events, and critical incidences. Collection of data falls into the categories of data, personal experience and engagement, empathic neutrality, and dynamic systems. With data, observations produce a detailed and deep comprehension by means of interviews capturing personal views from direct quotes or carefully conducted case studies as well as material culture review. With the personal experience and engagement, the researcher's personal insights/experiences bare significance to the query and are crucial to understanding the phenomenon; this stems from the researcher's direct contact with people and situations. Empathic neutrality involves mindfulness of being neutral rather than judgmental by displaying awareness, openness, respect, responsiveness, and sensitivity while working with study respondents in order to gain vicarious understanding. Dynamic systems involve the researcher being actively aware to system and situational dynamics. Attention to process is maintained and assumption is held that change is ongoing, whether the focal point, is an individual person, place, or culture as a whole. The third and final of the key elements of qualitative research is the analysis. The analysis has five types: 1. unique case orientation 2.inductive analysis 3.holistic perspective 4.context sensitive, 5.voice, perspective, and reflexivity. The unique case orientation holds the assumption that every case is unique and special. It entails an initial analysis which captures particulars of the case and a cross analysis which comes after, depending upon the case study quality. Inductive analysis starts with exploration and confirmation of findings. It is immersed in details and data specifics in order to uncover tendencies and relationships. Rather than following rules, inductive analysis is led by analytical principles. The holistic perspective is centered on the entire phenomenon being relative to complicated correlations and system dynamics which are unable to be minimized in any capacity to linear, cause and effect relationships and/or few discrete variables. The context sensitive analysis places findings in a social, historical, and temporal context. The researcher is careful and leery of the potential meaningfulness of generalizations by/through time and space. Emphasis is placed upon careful comparative analyses of cases as well as extrapolating patterns for potential adaptation and transferability in/of new environments. Lastly, the analysis of voice, perspective, and reflexivity is one in which the qualitative methodologist owns and is reflective about his/her own voice as well as his/her perspective. Authenticity and trust is demonstrated by a credible voice. Total neutrality is impossible and pure subjectivity undermines credibility. The focus of the researcher reflects a balance between understanding and depicting the world genuinely in its entire complexity and of being self-analytical, conscious politically, and reflexive in consciousness. Qualitative researchers place emphasis on the socially constructed nature of reality, the intimate relationship between the researcher and the entity studied, and the situational restrictions that shape the query (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000). These researchers stress the value-laden nature of inquiry, and they look for answers to questions that emphasize the means by which social experience is constructed and given meaning (2000). According to cultural anthropologist and ethnographer Brian A. Hoey, ethnography may be defined as a qualitative research process or method and product whose aim is cultural