How to Practice Qualitative Research Methods

Since the early 1970s, researchers have been using qualitative research methods in various branches of the social and human sciences. Understanding why and how something has occurred is sometimes more useful than knowing the basic who, what, when and where, especially when dealing with human behavior. Follow these steps to practice effective and ethical qualitative research methods as well as give your theory scientific validity while gaining further understanding.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Begin by researching the difference between quantitative and qualitative research. Know that this is the difference between depth understanding and an understanding of semantics.
2. Select a topic or phenomenon that needs to be understood more fully, with depth and understanding. Write down a question that needs to be explored more fully in which to practice qualitative methods.
3. Understand that qualitative research methods are very detail oriented and experiments will be designed with this notion in mind. Distinguish between the main types of qualitative methods: case study, grounded theory, phenomenon, ethnography and historical.
4. Pick a method of data collection that suits the needs of your hypothesis and is realistic to your time and budget limits, as well as sample population and time constraints. Choose between interactive interviewing, written participant descriptions, and observation techniques to gather your information.
5. Realize that if you choose an observation method, then various forms of observation can be used. You can use standard observation, where one observes the subject. Or use nonreactive observation, such as content analysis, where the subjects are not aware of being observed.

Tips & Warnings

• Make your own observations rather than relying on self reporting.
• Learn the basics behind quantitative methods to help aid your research.
• Do a Delphi Study in which researchers and experts brainstorm themes, needs, and directions for research needs to gather a hypothesis.
• Practice ethical standards for all research methods.