Module 01 - Home Page

Introduction to Qualitative Research (1): Philosophical assumptions, Terminology and Possible Factors

Modular Overview

We will start the course by addressing the following:

• What is qualitative research?

• Epistemological assumptions of research paradigms in qualitative research;

• Disciplinary perspectives in qualitative research.

Characteristics of Qualitative Research

How can you recognize research as being "qualitative?" Research is considered to be qualitative if the following statements can be made:

• it is inductive research; (design flexibility)

• the researcher is trying to understand why something is the way it is, (context sensitivity)

• reality can change, based on the perceptions of individuals involved in the study,

• values are important and need to be understood during the research,

• a total (holistic) or complete picture of the situation is sought,

• theories and hypotheses evolve as data are collected (not prior to collection),

• the data collected consist of the perceptions of the participants,

• the researcher is the primary data collection instrument (e.g., observing, interviewing, personal contact with participants)

• the study is conducted under "natural" conditions, (naturalistic enquiry) and

• the focus of the study is on design and procedures that gather rich, real and deep data.

Qualitative v. Quantitative Research

The appropriate method for your research will depend on the problem that you are researching and the study question that you formulate.

It is also common for a research study to include both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Often, the qualitative component of a study is designed to "confirm" or validate, and provide insight into, the quantitative results.

Underlying epistemological assumptions of qualitative research

Diagram source: Philosophical Perspectives

These three underlying epistemological assumptions relate to the popular research paradigms in qualitative research:

i) Positivism

ii) Interpretavism

iii) Constructivism/Critical assumptions

Perspectives on Qualitative Research Methods

One of the best ways to gain an understanding of qualitative research is to consider two important disciplinary or meta-theoretical perspectives used by qualitative researchers.  They are  (1) Critical Social, and (2) Phenomenological research:  

Critical Social Research 

This type of research method is used by a researcher to understand how people communicate and develop symbolic meanings.  

The following report by Marie-Claude Boudreau provides a unique look into the goals and purpose of critical social theory (CST).  

Report on the Discussion at the Panel on Assessing Critical Social Theory Research in Information Systems
Boudreau M.C. (1997). Report on the Discussion at the Panel on Assessing Critical Social Theory Research in Information Systems. Retrieved August 2004 from Virginia Commonwealth University Web site: http://www.people.vcu.edu/~aslee/Philadelphia-CST.htm

Phenomenological research

The following website gives extensive information about the nature of phenomenological research.  A phenomenological approach enables the researcher to understand/explore the experience of an activity or phenomenon from a participant's perspective.

Phenomenology online 
Phenomenology on Line, retrieved June 2007 from http://phenom.educ.ualberta.ca/

Phenomenological research requires that a philosophy be combined with the research method.  In fact, qualitative research generally demands that the researcher has a well developed philosophical approach that serves to guide the direction of inquiry.

The purpose of phenomenological research is to describe the “lived experience” of the study population; however, it is defined simply as the study of phenomena.  Obviously, phenomenology takes on a deeper meaning when referred to as a research method.  To a phenomenologist,  each person experiences his or her own reality of life.  The world is interpreted differently...by each individual; thus, reality is understood as being subjective.

Consider this point about phenomenological research.  It is directly tied to one’s experience.  Phenomenologists explore the meaning of an individual's experience. Phenomenological research deals with families, groups, or even a small community. For example, it explores the meaning of extreme poverty, a serious crime against a family member, or a very poor education.  PBS, National Public Radio, and many other well known media programs often use a phenomenological approach to public interest stories.