Types of Qualitative Research Methods: Things to Know
Science needs different kinds of researches. Their importance is huge. Any research method is targeted at defining certain peculiarities of this or that situation. It studies the factors that led to certain outcomes and how they affect people, how people react to them and similar essentials. One should implement different methods of qualitative research.
The more in-depth researches we conduct, the better it is. Why is it so? Well, frequently it’s not possible to clarify certain developments from a single viewpoint. When we consider a problem from different angles, we have more data to analyze, interpret and explain the phenomenon we study. Consequently, every student and researcher should learn various types of qualitative research methods.
Qualitative Research Methods Definition In Detail
What are qualitative research methods? These sorts of researches are also recognized as exploratory studies. They provide a better understanding of the studied subjects, reasons, viewpoints, and motivational aspects.
This sort of researches sheds more light on different concepts and hypotheses or contributes to the solution of a problem. It opens the doors a bit wider so to speak. We delve deeper into the structure of a studied aspect, review it in bigger details and thus, come to a new level of comprehension. It may be likewise paraphrased with the following phrase – If you want to understand how to fix a thing, you should understand how it works.
List of Qualitative Research Methods — Choose Yours
There are six major types of qualitative researches. All of them are specific and serve their own purposes. Learn the following list of qualitative research methods:
- Narrative
- Phenomenological
- Grounded Theory
- Ethnography
- Case Study
- Historical
Narrative Research Methods to Spot the Influences
That is a pretty simple and easy to understand type. It is given a form of narration. It sheds light on a sequence of certain events related to the studied subject. In order to conduct it, take interviews, read the documentation and find similar themes.
This method reveals great life influencers, which induced certain situations or outcomes. If you want to understand the behavior of a person, the combination of different methods helps. You’ll receive and analyze all reactions and interactions that benefited to the creation of a person’s behavior.
Phenomenology Research Methods to Evaluate the Evidence
This research method is targeted at discovering the details of certain activities, events, and of course, phenomena. It unites various methods, such as interviewing, reading the documentation, visiting locations, watching videos and something of the kind. These activities help to experience and feel the problem from the inside.
Like other types, this method doesn’t have a clear hypothesis. It is required to use multiple themes for research. Sometimes the number reaches 25. These themes are needed to find the essence of the studied issue and comprehend it and its consequences.
Grounded Theory to Receive Clearer Explanations
In comparison to the phenomenological approach, the grounded theory doesn’t describe but explains. All methods used to gather information are being analyzed and interpreted. Oftentimes, people have all the necessary facts, but they aren’t able to understand their meaning and value. Accordingly, this type is used to serve them in such situations.
Ethnography to Dig Deeper Into Environment
This method is possibly the easiest and most sought-after. It helps to dig deeper into your surroundings. Thus, many scholars examine participants in different life situations. They analyze how they act under certain conditions, cope with challenges, find motivation, change their cultural comprehension and so on.
Therefore, it is busy with cultural developments. This research may be pretty lengthy and last for years because cultural and mental alterations don’t commonly occur at once. Every participant is an observer, and he/she shares his impressions, attitudes, opinions, etc.
Case Study for a Better Understanding
That is a popular assignment for students. It is being used to clarify developments in various partnerships, events, enterprises, etc. A researcher ought to gather lots of materials. Every slight fact is vital. This method explores, explains, and describes.
Historical Research Methods for Multiple Data
Every issue can and should be reviewed from a historical viewpoint. Oftentimes, the answers lie hidden in the past. This form manipulates with multiple sources, which have even a distant relation to the primary objective. Nevertheless, their summarization may bring the required solution.
Advantages of Qualitative Research Methods: 5 Points to Consider
As you can see, one may reap great benefits using every method. Let’s review all the advantages of qualitative research methods once again:
- New insights;
- A better comprehension of unknown aspects;
- Varied data to analyze and interpret;
- More possibilities to find an appropriate solution;
- Possibilities to explore, explain, and describe.
Finally, it’s simply exciting. Use all these methods to analyze different situations and understand the outcomes and how they occurred. It will make you more knowledgeable. If you use them effectively, you will definitely reach your academic and scientific objectives.