Paper III Qualitative research methodology

Objective 1.2 Explain strengths and limitations of a qualitative approach to research?

Bellwork Is qualitative research ALWAYS appropriate? Why or why not?

 It is important to choose the most appropriate methods for what is being investigated.  Qualitative research is not appropriate to answer every research question and researchers need to think carefully about their objectives. Explaining strengths and weaknesses of a Qualitative approach to research in context

 Do they wish to study a particular phenomenon in depth (eg, students' perceptions of studying in a different culture)?  Or are they more interested in making standardized comparisons and accounting for variance (eg, examining differences in examination grades after changing the way the content of a module is taught). Research in context

 Clearly a quantitative approach would be more appropriate in the last example.  As with any research project, a clear research objective has to be identified to know which methods should be applied. Research in context

Important Note: Qualitative researchers should be very cognizant of the strengths and limitations of using this approach as ALL research situations are conducive to this method. Strengths of Qualitative Research

Strengths of Qualitative Research: Qualitative research methods are appropriate for particular types of research. They can convey a richness and intensity of detail in a way that quantitative research can not. Qualitative research methods allow for much more detailed investigation of issues. When description is the aim, qualitative methods provide a vivid picture of a phenomena. Strengths of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Strengths of Qualitative Research: More and more recognition is being given to the individual in the process, not just the observable effect of 'treatment' upon a 'patient,' particularly in studies that involve health practices (such as investigating addiction, obesity, etc.) Qualitative methods such as semi- structured interviews, case studies and narrative can ultimately reveal more about the effectiveness (or otherwise) of a form of therapy on an individual. Strengths of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Other Strengths of Qualitative Research: Issues can be examined in detail and in depth. Issues can be examined in detail and in depth. Interviews are not restricted to specific questions and can be guided/redirected by the researcher in real time. Interviews are not restricted to specific questions and can be guided/redirected by the researcher in real time. Strengths of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Strengths of Qualitative Research: The research framework and direction can be quickly revised as new information emerges. The research framework and direction can be quickly revised as new information emerges. The data based on human experience that is obtained is rich and sometimes more compelling than quantitative data. The data based on human experience that is obtained is rich and sometimes more compelling than quantitative data. Strengths of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Strengths of Qualitative Research: Subtleties and complexities about the research subjects and/or topic are discovered that are often missed by more positivistic enquiries. Subtleties and complexities about the research subjects and/or topic are discovered that are often missed by more positivistic enquiries. Although data usually collected from a few cases or individuals cannot be generalized to a larger population, findings can however be transferable to another similar case/setting. Although data usually collected from a few cases or individuals cannot be generalized to a larger population, findings can however be transferable to another similar case/setting. Strengths of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

General Limitations of Qualitative Research: Although it has gained increasing acceptance, qualitative research still has significant limitations. Although it has gained increasing acceptance, qualitative research still has significant limitations. In particular, qualitative research can present challenges in terms of generalizable results, validity, wider implications and reliability. In particular, qualitative research can present challenges in terms of generalizable results, validity, wider implications and reliability. Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Limited Generalizability: One significant limitation of qualitative research involves the limited ability to generalize results to other populations. One significant limitation of qualitative research involves the limited ability to generalize results to other populations. Because qualitative research is often exploratory and often tailored to the needs of one population (as when a researcher adapts an interview question to a participant's prior knowledge, or when case-study analysis is specific to the person or situation under study), it is difficult to extrapolate findings to more broad populations or to draw general or far-reaching conclusions from the findings of a qualitative study. Because qualitative research is often exploratory and often tailored to the needs of one population (as when a researcher adapts an interview question to a participant's prior knowledge, or when case-study analysis is specific to the person or situation under study), it is difficult to extrapolate findings to more broad populations or to draw general or far-reaching conclusions from the findings of a qualitative study. Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Limited Generalizability: For example, one might conduct a case study which finds that teachers at a particular IB school have all articulated a need for more training in technology. For example, one might conduct a case study which finds that teachers at a particular IB school have all articulated a need for more training in technology. Although the findings might be valid for that particular IB school, it is impossible, from that single case study, to draw a wider conclusion and state that all teachers, everywhere, need more training in technology. Although the findings might be valid for that particular IB school, it is impossible, from that single case study, to draw a wider conclusion and state that all teachers, everywhere, need more training in technology. Thus, you have essentially only described behavior at one particular school (not necessarily teachers in general). Thus, you have essentially only described behavior at one particular school (not necessarily teachers in general). Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Validity: Another limitation to qualitative research is that, especially to audiences accustomed to reviewing quantitative research, qualitative research may seem to be less than valid in its approach, methods, or conclusions. Another limitation to qualitative research is that, especially to audiences accustomed to reviewing quantitative research, qualitative research may seem to be less than valid in its approach, methods, or conclusions. Qualitative research often depends on the individual judgment of the researcher and is heavily dependent on the researcher's interpretation and skill (for example, in the analysis of interview data or case study information). Qualitative research often depends on the individual judgment of the researcher and is heavily dependent on the researcher's interpretation and skill (for example, in the analysis of interview data or case study information). Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Threat of Researcher Bias Although this fact allows for research to reflect the complexity of a particular situation or the knowledge of the researcher, it can also allow the researcher's subjective opinions to bias the information presented or the conclusion drawn. Although this fact allows for research to reflect the complexity of a particular situation or the knowledge of the researcher, it can also allow the researcher's subjective opinions to bias the information presented or the conclusion drawn. In such cases, the study becomes more reflective of the researcher's opinions than of the actual data, presenting issues with validity. In such cases, the study becomes more reflective of the researcher's opinions than of the actual data, presenting issues with validity. Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Other Limitations Although this fact allows for research to reflect the complexity of a particular situation or the knowledge of the researcher, it can also allow the researcher's subjective opinions to bias the information presented or the conclusion drawn. Although this fact allows for research to reflect the complexity of a particular situation or the knowledge of the researcher, it can also allow the researcher's subjective opinions to bias the information presented or the conclusion drawn. In such cases, the study becomes more reflective of the researcher's opinions than of the actual data, presenting issues with validity. In such cases, the study becomes more reflective of the researcher's opinions than of the actual data, presenting issues with validity. Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

Other Limitations It generally takes more time to collect the data when compared to quantitative research. Give examples. It generally takes more time to collect the data when compared to quantitative research. Give examples. Data analysis is often time consuming. Give examples of why. Data analysis is often time consuming. Give examples of why. Reliability is often difficult to achieve (because of the subjective nature of the research). Reliability is often difficult to achieve (because of the subjective nature of the research). Limitations of Qualitative Research (all stated strengths must be explained)

 Take the next 5 minutes to outline the general ideas from this objective in your notebook (from the notes that you have).  Have a great lunch! Reflection