Definition of Qualitative Research

Cresswell (1994) has defined qualitative research as,

Qualitative research is an inquiry process of understanding based on distinct methodological traditions of inquiry that explore a social or human problem. The researcher builds a complex, holistic picture, analyzes words, reports detailed views of informants, and conducts the study in a natural setting.

while Denzin and Lincoln (1994) have defined qualitative research as,

Qualitative research is multi-method in focus, involving an interpretive, naturalistic approach to its subject matter. This means that qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of or interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them. Qualitative research involves the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical materials case study, personal experience, introspective, life story interview, observational, historical, interactional, and visual texts-that describe routine and problematic moments and meaning in individuals’ lives.

Types of Qualitative Research

Cresswell (1994) has divided qualitative research into “5 main Qualitative Research Types”:

1. The Biography
2. Phenomenology
3. Grounded Theory
4. Ethnography
5. Case Study

Other qualitative research methods include:

• Descriptive Research
• Naturalistic Observation
• Survey

Data Collection Methods in Qualitative Research

The qualitative method of inquiry and testing requires methods that allow the researcher to capture language and behavior. The key ways of capturing these are:

• Observation (participant and direct)
• In-depth & detailed interviews
• Group Interviews
• Collection of relevant documents (primary or secondary sources)
• Articles & previous works
• Photographs
• Video tapes