Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research

1. Qualitative research is a type of scientific research that consists of an investigation that: seeks answers to a question, systematically uses a predefined set of procedures to answer the question, collects evidence, produces findings that were not determined in advance, and produces findings that are applicable beyond the immediate boundaries of the study. It can help us to interpret and better understand the complex reality of a given situation and the implications of quantitative data.

2. The three most common qualitative methods are

   • • Focus groups are effective in eliciting data on the cultural norms of a group and in generating broad overviews of issues of concern to the cultural groups or subgroups represented.
   • Participant observation is appropriate for collecting data on naturally occurring behaviors in their usual contexts.
   • In-depth interviews are optimal for collecting data on individuals’ personal histories, perspectives, and experiences, particularly when sensitive topics are being explored.

3. Qualitative data take the forms of field notes, audio (and sometimes video) recordings, and transcripts.

4. Quantitative and qualitative research methods differ primarily in

   • their analytical objectives, the types of questions they pose, the types of data collection instruments they use, the forms of data they produce, the degree of flexibility built into study design

5. Flexibility

   • With quantitative methods such as surveys and questionnaires, for example, researchers ask all participants identical questions in the same order. The response categories from which participants may choose are “closed-ended” or fixed. The advantage of this inflexibility is that it allows for meaningful comparison of responses across participants and study sites.
   • Qualitative methods are typically more flexible – that is, they allow greater spontaneity and adaptation of the interaction between the researcher and the study participant. For example, qualitative methods ask mostly “open-ended” questions that are not necessarily worded in exactly the same way with each participant. With open-ended questions, participants are free to respond in their own words, and these responses tend to be more complex than simply “yes” or “no.”

6. Advantages of qualitative methods for exploratory research

   • Open-ended questions have the ability to evoke responses that are meaningful and culturally salient to the participant , unanticipated by the researcher , and rich and explanatory in nature
   • Allo the researcher the flexibility to probe initial participant responses that is, to ask why or how.

7. Recruitment

   • They are typically flexible and can be modified if new topics, research questions, or subpopulations emerge as important to the study, or if initial strategies do not result in the desired number of recruits. The ethics committee that reviews and approves the study protocol determines whether informed consent needs to be obtained for each data collection activity. In case meeting to discuss alternatives, the research team should write down reasons why the strategy was not working or needs to be changed and outline how they would like to change it.

8. Research ethics

   • Whenever we conduct research on people, the well-being of research participants must be our top priority. The research question is always of secondary importance. This means that if a choice must be made between doing harm to a participant and doing harm to the research, it is the research that is sacrificed.
     • Informed consent is a mechanism for ensuring that people understand what it means to participate in a particular research study so they can decide in a conscious, deliberate way whether they want to participate. Informed consent is one of the most important tools for ensuring respect for persons during research.
       • TO MAKE IT CLEAR WE NEED TO CLEARLY TELL
         • • The purpose of the research • what is expected of a research participant, including the amount of time likely to be required for participation • expected risks and benefits, including psychological and social • the fact that participation is voluntary and that one can withdraw at any time with no negative repercussions • how confidentiality will be protected • the name and contact information of the local lead investigator to be contacted for questions or problems related to the research • the name and contact information of an appropriate person to contact with questions about one’s rights as a research participant (usually the chair of the local ethics committee overseeing the research).