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Qualitative Research Methodology
There are many pieces to the puzzle when it comes to a research study. How do we
ensure we are providing accurate information to our readers? Also, how do we know the
information provided followed methods that best represented the study? We need to start at the
beginning to help us better understand the thoughts and behaviors of people. Psychologists and
scientists use two main ways of research, qualitative and quantitative. One focuses on a
collection of information to result in new hypotheses, qualitative. While the other research
method seeks objective, testable hypotheses and designed studies (Crawford, 2023, p. 680). For
this research paper, we will focus on the qualitative research methodology to learn how this can
help researchers and social scientists discover variables needed in a particular study. To ensure
we are getting accurate responses throughout our qualitative research studies we need to follow
the correct methods to produce accurate results. That starts by understanding the different
methods of research, advantages as well as disadvantages.
Qualitative Research
Author Bhattacharya shared in the book “Fundamentals of Qualitative Research: A
Practical Guide”, that qualitative research seeks context from the meaning of human
experiences (Bhattacharya, 2017, p. 6). This term will provide us with an understanding of why
the following study used qualitative research versus quantitative research. As stated in the book,
quantitative and qualitative methods can complement each other. However, qualitative research
focuses more on understanding, interrogating, and deconstructing people’s experiences, and their
stories (Bhattacharya, 2017, p. 19). If a researcher is trying to understand someone’s experiences,
they want to dive in deeper and not generalize their study. Interrogation can also be used by
assuming people are the way they are and act the way they do because of their social categories
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like culture, race, or gender. Deconstructing can also play a part in qualitative research because
researchers sometimes want to break down assumptions and stereotypes that are often caused by
social conditioning.
In terms of abstract standards when focusing on qualitative research there are a few
characteristics to keep in mind. The qualitative meta-analyses should include research problems,
questions, and hypotheses. Characteristics to be sure to include is the “criteria for eligibility in
terms of study topic and research design” (American Psychological Association, 2019, p. 74). As
well as the types of methods that were used to conduct and integrate the studies. Specific details
included, are the “number of participants, observations, or data sources; and their important
characteristics” (American Psychological Association, 2019, p. 74). Ensuring that their context
includes the information that is crucial to their findings. As well as the conclusion and the
implications that were used to share the researcher’s theory or practice.
Examples of Qualitative Research
Example One
An example from our textbook, shared an administrator at a community college in the
Division of Instruction wanted to further investigate why several students were dropping out of
his course right after the withdrawal timeframe had ended (Crawford, 2023, p. 300). Meaning
students didn't realize they weren’t comfortable completing the course until it was too late,
leaving the instructor with a large withdrawal rate. However, the students who pushed through
the course earned high grades for performing well. The instructor assigned one of his
administrators to take a deeper look into these qualitative research questions.
With the help of another colleague, they decided to reach out to the students who dropped
the course to ask one specific question, “What was the reason for leaving the course?”
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(Crawford, 2023, p. 300). So far, they have covered their qualitative approach, the best research
method, as well as their research question. They were able to contact almost a dozen of the
students who dropped the course making their response rate high. These results were used in a
“qualitative data analysis computer program” (Crawford, 2023, p. 301). After entering these
results as well as imputing further information into that database, the administrator and their
colleague were able to find out why the withdrawal rate was so high. These were all students
who planned to transfer to a university that was in their city. That university required the
students to achieve a “B” in the class for those credits to transfer. After this qualitative research,
they were able to confirm that the students didn't feel confident they would receive a “B” in the
class by the time the course had ended.
Example Two
Fairly recently there was a study on why people who need knee replacements due to
osteoarthritis are becoming more hesitant and refusing to act in their health. So, why do people
decline this surgery? Why do people refuse medications or regimens by practitioners to help with
their pain? The University of Toronto wanted these questions answered and decided to use this
qualitative approach to help provide context and understanding throughout these decisions (The
Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 2009, pp. 107-112). It was shared that this specific method was
crucial for a rich and informative study on how to properly care for clients in need of health care.
After further research, it was concluded that past experiences and cultural norms are the main
reasons why people are challenged when making decisions regarding knee osteoarthritis. By
using the qualitative methods, these researchers used a query statement and qualitative
methodologies “which permit the collection and analysis of data to identify new concepts and
themes, thus allowing a deeper interpretation and understanding” (The Journal of Bone & Joint
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Surgery, 2009, pp. 107-112). They proved the importance of using this method to orthopedic
practitioners versus using quantitative research methods.
Example Three
A prime example of why qualitative research can be effective when addressing healthcare
concerns is the study on the overuse of antibiotics to treat acute sinusitis. “Reports in the United
States are similar, with approximately 30 million individuals affected by acute sinusitis every
year and 85-98% receiving a prescription for antibiotics” (Gould et al., 2016, Vol. 14: 63). The
importance of further investigation before prescribing medication can be detrimental to
someone’s health and wellbeing. Researchers zoned in on qualitative methodology to emphasize
this worldwide problem because of the usage of the participant’s characteristics, stakeholder
interviews, as well as patients’ expectations and satisfaction (Gould et al., 2016, Vol. 14: 63).
These results provided a model for the healthcare systems that can improve the lives of clients in
the future, as long as they are applied, and doctors break the cycle of overprescribing
medications and start finding the underlying issues.
Advantages
To help give a better understanding of why using qualitative approaches can be
beneficial for a study, it may be influential when using and how to conduct this method properly.
An advantage when writing a qualitative research paper is that “As long as the necessary
information is present, the paper does not need to be segmented into the same sections and
subsections as a quantitative paper” (American Psychological Association, 2019, p. 99). These
papers tend to be longer than quantitative based on the amount of information that is necessary
to support the findings and context of the study. However, we will discuss later how this can also
be a weakness as much as it is a strength for this type of writing. Another advantage of
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qualitative research is overall you can learn about behaviors and social contexts from certain
populations with this type of approach.
Disadvantages
Before deciding which research, method is appropriate for your study it is crucial to
understand the disadvantages of using a qualitative research approach. Conflicts when writing a
qualitative research paper can occur due to the fact these papers tend to be lengthier. Sometimes
there are journal page limits that can influence the amount of context needed to share all proper
details of the study. However, if this occurs, “Qualitative researchers should work with journal
editors to reach a solution that enables an adequate review of the paper in question” (American
Psychological Association, 2019, p. 95). Another disadvantage to be careful to avoid when
writing a qualitative research paper is bias. These papers may include participants’
characteristics and personal history that may include abuse, socioeconomic, immigration status,
and disabilities. The researchers need to stay sensitive to the fact that these are people’s lives
that they are sharing with the world. These topics may not be something that everyone would
prefer to be shared regardless of the positives this study can come with.
Conclusion
Understanding and conducting research is a complex process that requires us to ensure
we are providing accurate information to our readers and adhering to methods that best represent
the topic of study. Psychologists and even scientists often want to understand the thoughts and
behaviors of individuals. They utilize qualitative and quantitative research methods to develop
hypotheses and their designed studies. After exploring the qualitative research methodology
throughout this paper, we can understand the essentials for how to conduct and when to conduct
this type of research. Being able to interrupt the different research methods, along with their
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Reference
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American
Psychological
Association (7th ed.). https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781433832185
Beaton, Dorcas, Clark, & Jocalyn. (2009). Qualitative Research: A review of methods with use
of examples from the total knee replacement literature. (Vol. 91: 107-112). Journal of
Bone & Joint Surgery. https://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.H.01631
Bhattacharya, K. (2017). Fundamentals of qualitative research: a practical guide.
Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group publishers.https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315231747
Crawford, R. (2023). Introduction to research: Less fright, more insight: A customized version
of
research methods: Are you equipped? (4th ed.). Kendall Hunt Publishing.
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9798385105748
Gould, Hahn, Kanter, Munoz-Plaza, Nguyen, Parry, Sharp, & Tang. (2016). Integrating
qualitative research methods into care improvement efforts within a learning health
system: addressing antibiotic overuse. (Vol. 14). Health research policy and systems.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4986245/
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