About Qualitative Research
The goal of qualitative research is to generate new insight or knowledge, or to validate existing knowledge. Qualitative research data are usually driven by the participants' thoughts, reactions, perceptions, and experiences. This type of research focuses on systems, steps, rituals, processes, best practices, observations, or personal experiences, and may or may not have an outcome. Qualitative research can be used to gain a better understanding of a topic, inform the reader about how to perform a task, or gain a new perspective on a topic. It's helpful to explain sensitive, unique, and difficult-to-understand information that can't be conveyed quantitatively.
Below you will find helpful resources on qualitative research
Qualitative Data
"The Qualitative Data Repository (QDR) is a dedicated archive for storing and sharing digital data (and accompanying documentation) generated or collected through qualitative and multi-method research in the social sciences. QDR provides search tools to facilitate the discovery of data, and also serves as a portal to material beyond its own holdings, with links to U.S. and international archives. The repository’s initial emphasis is on political science."
What qualitative research consist of
a hypothesis or theory
- an observation through experience or interactive stud
- practice-based interventions
- implementation strategies
- casual or formal approaches
- approaches to adaptation or variation
- how-to guidance
- unanticipated adverse reactions if applicable
- relevant background or circumstantial factors.
To find articles in ERIC and Education Source use the phrase "Qualitative Research" as one of your search terms.
Related terms:
Case Studies; Ethnography; Evaluation Methods; Field Studies; Focus Groups; Grounded Theory; Interviews; Naturalistic Observation; Participant Observation; Research Methodology; Social Science Research; Transcripts (Written Records);
5 types of qualitative research
Ethnography involves the analysis or observation of a culture or social group's customs, rituals, and behaviors, and their understanding of disease and illness within that culture. It requires methodical collection, detailed descriptions, and analysis of the information to help refine or develop cultural theories. Ethnographic studies allow the reader to understand a subject group's way of life and the cultural forces that shape the group's rituals, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings. The research may have a specific or global focus; for example, the group's interaction among themselves or with others, or social norms or taboos.
Grounded theory is often referred to as "theory building" because concepts, problems, and theories are continuously reevaluated. It's designed to discover what problems exist in a specific social environment and how these problems are resolved. It involves devising a theory, testing the theory, and refining the theory until the core problem or solution is identified. This type of research often includes personal or professional first-hand experiences. A common core question within grounded theory is, "What's the basic problem and how are we going to resolve or improve it?" An example is a patient describing how he or she copes with existing or new health conditions. Another example: A nurse describes the methodical steps that have improved a patient's experience or health, or resolves the knowledge deficits of other healthcare personnel.
Symbolic interactionism focuses on patterns of communication, interpretation of that communication, and understanding how this communication forces adjustments between individuals who react to their interpretation of their world or social group. This type of research reflects the theory that people behave or react in response to what they believe is true or correct, and not just based on what's objectively true. Teenagers who are overwhelmed with information on the health risks of smoking are one example: Despite this information, they may still smoke because they believe it will help them fit in with their peer group.
Historical research involves understanding and gathering information on the history of a topic, group, or culture. This type of research allows the reader to systematically evaluate historical information via a detailed analysis of past occurrences and guides the reader to what's been proven to be beneficial or ineffective in certain situations in the past. Armed with this knowledge, nurses can develop a plan to improve results or outcomes for their patients, work environment, or clinical practice. An example of this type of research is Florence Nightingale's discovery that unsanitary wound care and infrequent hand washing led to poor patient outcomes and that sanitary wound care with good hand washing improved patient outcomes.
Phenomenology utilizes personal experiences to gain insight, empathy, or knowledge about a specific topic, situation, or "phenomenon." With this type of research, the investigator attempts to describe or understand a person's or group's perception, perspective, and understanding of a phenomenon and tries to answer the question, "What's it like to experience a given situation?" By understanding how patients view or experience events, nurses can formulate new treatment plans to enhance the healthcare experience or resolve knowledge deficits. By looking at multiple perspectives on the same situation, a researcher can make generalizations about what something is like from an insider's point of view. This research is typically focused on specific topics, such as a patient's response to illness, physical disability, healthcare procedures, or healthcare work environments.
Qualitative Research eBooks
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Nursing Research Using Data Analysis by
This is a concise, step-by-step guide to conducting qualitative nursing research using various forms of data analysis. It is part of a unique series of books devoted to seven different qualitative designs and methods in nursing, written for both novice researchers and specialists seeking to develop or expand their competency. This practical resource encompasses such methodologies as content analysis, a means of organizing and interpreting data to elicit themes and concepts; discourse analysis, used to analyze language to understand social or historical context; narrative analysis, in which the researcher seeks to understand human experience through participant stories; and focus groups and case studies, used to understand the consensus of a group or the experience of an individual and his or her reaction to a difficult situation such as disease or trauma. Written by a noted qualitative research scholar and contributing experts, the book describes the philosophical basis for conducting research using data analysis and delivers an in-depth plan for applying its methodologies to a particular study, including appropriate methods, ethical considerations, and potential challenges. It presents practical strategies for solving problems related to the conduct of research using the various forms of data analysis and presents a rich array of case examples from published nursing research. These include author analyses to support readers in decision making regarding their own projects. The book embraces such varied topics as data security in qualitative research, the image of nursing in science fiction literature, the trajectory of research in several nursing studies throughout Africa, and many others. Focused on the needs of both novice researchers and specialists, it will be of value to health institution research divisions, in-service educators and students, and graduate nursing educators and students. Key Features: Explains how to conduct nursing research using content analysis, discourse analysis, narrative analysis, and focus groups and case studies Presents state-of-the-art designs and protocols Focuses on solving practical problems related to the conduct of research Features rich nursing exemplars in a variety of health/mental health clinical settings in the United States and internationally
Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780826126887Publication Date: 2014-12-01
Nursing Research Using Participatory Action Research by
PAR is the ultimate in social justice practice. I suggest that PAR should be the basis for all nursing research. This book will provide you with the basics for getting started. √>=Patricia J. Kelly, PhD, MPH, APRN University of Missouri√Kansas City (From the Foreword) Participatory action research is a qualitative research method conducted in collaboration with a community of people in order to effect changes in the community that are relevant to the residents. This is a practical, "how-to" resource for conducting participatory action research that guides readers, step by step, through planning, conducting, and disseminating nursing research using this qualitative design. It is part of a unique series of seven books devoted to nursing research using qualitative designs and methods. Examples from actual research along with author commentary illustrate potential pitfalls and challenges that may occur during the process and how to resolve them. Written by a leading scholar of nursing research and nurse experts in participatory action research, the book describes its philosophical underpinnings and state-of-the-art techniques, and provides a concrete road map for planning and conducting studies. It considers why this particular research method is best suited for a particular study, ethical considerations, and potential obstacles. The book also discusses how to ensure rigor during a study, providing examples from scholarly literature and the authors' own work. Each case example features a description of the study, including why the investigator decided to use participatory action rather than another research design, how he or she solved gatekeeper and access-to-sample issues, and institutional review board concerns. Also included is a discussion of how to collect and analyze data and how to disseminate findings to both the scientific community and research participants. With a focus on practical problem solving throughout, the book will be of value to novice and experienced nurse researchers, graduate teachers, in-service educators, students, and nursing research staff at health care institutions. Key Features: Describes, step by step, how to plan, conduct, and disseminate participatory action research Delivers new designs and methods Focuses on solving practical problems related to the conduct of research Features rich nursing exemplars in a variety of health/mental health clinical conditions in the United States and internationally
Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780826126139Publication Date: 2014-12-01
Nursing Research Using Phenomenology by
Phenomenology recognizes that...the work of a nurse is the work of an embodied subject, a feeling and knowing and experiencing person in relationship to another embodied subject, the patient, who is another feeling and knowing and experiencing person. Phenomenology in nursing will be concerned with the subjective, living person in her or his lived body in the experience of health and illness√>=both nurse and patient. As such, it could have radical effects. √>=Jeffrey McCurry, Director, Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (From the Foreword) Phenomenology is a descriptive approach to obtaining knowledge that focuses on capturing the essence of human experience through the point of view of a distinct individual. As a form of qualitative nursing research, it provides a perspective apart from that of empirical sciences, which see the human mind and body as physical or material objects open to study only through empirical science and treatable only through physical remedies. This "how-to" book describes the foundations of phenomenology and the specifics of how to conduct nursing research using phenomenological designs. It is part of an innovative series for novice researchers and specialists alike focusing on state-of-the-art methodologies from a nursing perspective. Authored by international scholars of qualitative nursing research, the book elucidates the theoretical rationale for using phenomenology, describes its components, and delineates a plan to conduct studies that includes appropriate methods, ethical considerations, and potential pitfalls. The book provides guidance for writing a research proposal that justifies the importance or potential impact of a study and describes how to conduct interviews that best elicit information. It focuses on achieving rigor in phenomenological research in regard to accuracy and replicability, and discusses different types of data collection and analysis and when to use them. Appendices include a list of qualitative research journals, textbooks, and other resources for more in-depth study. Chapters provide helpful advice on interviewing and data analysis. The book will be of value to novice and experienced nurse researchers, graduate teachers and students, in-service educators and students, and nursing research staff at health care institutions. Key Features: Comprises the first "how-to" guide to conducting qualitative phenomenological research from a nursing perspective Presents a comprehensive plan for conducting studies and appropriate measures, ethical considerations, and potential challenges Guides readers in construction of a research proposal that justifies the importance or potential impact of a study Provides examples of interviews that best elicit information
Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780826126863Publication Date: 2014-12-01
Nursing Research Using Historical Methods by
This is a concise, step-by-step guide to conducting qualitative nursing research using various forms of historical analysis. It is part of a unique series of books devoted to seven different qualitative designs and methods in nursing, written for both novice researchers and specialists seeking to develop or expand their competency. Historical research is a qualitative research method that systematically examines past events from existing documents or other data, or by interviewing individuals who lived through those events, in order to understand the past. Written by a noted qualitative research scholar and contributing experts, the book describes the philosophical basis for conducting research using historical analysis and delivers an in-depth plan for applying its methodologies to a particular study, including appropriate methods, ethical considerations, and potential challenges. It presents practical strategies for solving problems related to the conduct of research using the various forms of analysis and presents a rich array of case examples from published nursing research. These include author analyses to support readers in decision making regarding their own projects. The book provides a variety of examples of historical method studies, on topics such as mental health research, working with Navajo communities, World War II evacuation nursing, and many others. Focused on the needs of both novice researchers and specialists, it will be of value to health institution research divisions, in-service educators and students, and graduate nursing educators and students. Key Features: Explains how to conduct nursing research using autobiography, biography, oral history, and document review Presents state-of-the-art designs and protocols Focuses on solving practical problems related to the conduct of research Features rich nursing exemplars in a variety of health/mental health clinical settings in the United States and internationally
Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780826126177Publication Date: 2014-12-01
Nursing Research Using Ethnography by
A]n excellent book for researchers who want to conduct nursing research using ethnography... Weighted Numerical Score: 99 - 5 Stars " -- Doody's Book Reviews Ethnography is a qualitative research design that focuses on the study of people to explore cultural phenomena. This concise, "how to" guide to conducting qualitative ethnography research spearheads a new series, Qualitative Designs and Methods, for novice researchers and specialists alike focusing on state-of-the-art methodologies from a nursing perspective. Scholars of qualitative ethnography research review the philosophical basis for choosing ethnography as a research tool and describe in depth its key features and development level. They provide directives on how to solve practical problems related to ethnography research, nursing examples, and discussion of the current state of the art. This includes a comprehensive plan for conducting studies and a discussion of appropriate measures, ethical considerations, and potential problems. Examples of published ethnography nursing research worldwide, along with author commentary, support the new researcher in making decisions and facing challenges. Each chapter includes objectives, competencies, review questions, critical thinking exercises, and web links for more in-depth research. A practical point of view pervades the book, which is geared to help novice researchers and specialists expand their competencies, engage graduate teachers and students and in-service educators and students, and aid nursing research in larger health institutions. Key Features: Includes examples of state-of-the-art ethnography nursing research with content analysis Presents a comprehensive plan for conducting studies and appropriate measures, ethical considerations, and potential challenges Describes theoretical underpinnings, key features, and development level Written by ethnography scholars from around the world
Call Number: eBookISBN: 9780826134653Publication Date: 2014-08-01
