qualitative process

qualitative process

Introduction

Qualitative data is the information that cannot be measured. It is information about qualities. There are fundamental ways that are used to conduct qualitative process. These include interviews, focus groups, observations and action research.

Interviews

Interviews include unstructured, semi- structured and structured. Structured interviews entail questionnaire administration, in which a series of predetermined questions are asked with no variation. Questionnaires are used in clarification of certain questions that require literacy and numeracy problems (Taylor et al, 2015). Unstructured interviews do not reflect preconceived ideas that are performed with no organization. This interview is always time consuming and very difficult to manage. This type of interview is very difficult to participate in. semi structured interview consist of several critical questions that help establish areas to be explored. Interviews assist in exploring views, beliefs, experiences and motivations. They provide deeper understanding of social phenomena.

Focus groups

This is a group discussion based on particular topic for the purpose of a research purpose.  It is a demographically diverse group of people assembled together for a guided discussion (Mays & Pope, 2011). This discussion is monitored, guided and recorded by a facilitator or a moderator. Focus groups provide collective views. They are useful in creating rich experiences, understandings and beliefs. Mix of sexes, ages and social professional statuses of the participants will always lead to various impacts on the data. This is then sampled to one collective view and agreement.

Observations

This is a systematic data collection approach. Observation involves prolonged engagement in social situation. Observations provide researchers with a way to check for non verbal expressions of feelings and comprehend how participants interact and communicate with each other (Strauss & Corbin, 2010). Observation enables researchers to determine the time that is spent on various activities. Observations provide the researchers with first hand information in the field.

Action research

This is initiated to solve a reflective process of a progressive problem solving led by facilitators with other team as part of community of practice. The two types of action research include participatory action research and practical action research. Action research involves active participation in a situation. Action research assists educators use data rather than hunches to improve efforts. This makes the process of scientific research more scientific.

References

Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (2010). Basics of qualitative research (Vol. 15). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Mays, N., & Pope, C. (2011). Assessing quality in qualitative research.British medical        journal, 320(7226), 50.

Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., & DeVault, M. (2015). Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.