Qualitative Research

Start with the characteristics

For an overview, try the mind map on qualitative research definitions and characteristics. It introduces ideas such as natural settings and interpretative practice. Another map covers direct data collection, inductive data analysis and participant perspectives. Read through the branches and note which terms you want to explore further.

The flashcard deck on research design and analysis offers another way to work through key concepts. Its prompts include social constructionism, reflexivity and ontology. Use the cards after a mind map to check whether you can explain the terms in your own words.

Explore approaches and examples

The Qualitative Research Approaches mind map introduces phenomenological research as an approach concerned with human experiences. Compare it with the characteristics maps to see how an approach relates to the broader ideas presented on the page.

For a research example, read the note titled Research Design. It describes an interest in the habits and practices of a mountain guide community as well as its opinions and beliefs. The Methods note also refers to these aspects of the community. Use them to consider what a researcher might want to understand.

Use maps and questions together

This page has no quizzes, but you can still use quiz-style questions alongside a map. Turn a branch into a question, answer it without looking, then return to the map to check your explanation. The flashcard prompts can also give you terms to discuss.

Place the topic in the unit

Qualitative Research is a section of the Research Design unit in Research methods and academic skills. The notes, maps and cards offer different starting points within that section, whether you want an overview, an approach or a research example. Explore a mind map and test your understanding with your own questions.