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RESEARCH METHOD

Qualitative inquiry employs different philosophical assumptions; strategies of

inquiry; and methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation (Creswell 2009,
173). A qualitative approach emphasizes the qualities of entities, processes and
meanings that are not experimentally examined or measured in terms of quantity,
amount, intensity or frequency (Denzin and Lincoln 2000, 8). Put another way,
quality refers to a things essence and ambience - the what, how, when and where of
it.

List of objectives for Qualitative method (acaps, 2012) :

1. To explore, understand phenomena

2. Provides in depth understanding of specific issues

3. Detailed and complete information, contextualization, interpretation and

description

4. Perspectives, opinions and explanations of affected populations toward

events, beliefs or practices

The process of qualitative methods:

1. Organize and prepare the data for analysis

2. Read through all the data. Gain a general sense of the information and reflect
on the overall meaning

3. Conduct analysis based on the specific theoretical approach and method (eg.
Narrative, content, grounded theory, discourse, archival, semiotics and
phonemic analysis techniques). This often involves coding or organizing
related segments of data into categories

4. Generate a description of the setting or people and identify themes from the
coding. Search for theme connections.

5. Represent the data within a research report

6. Interpret the larger meaning of data

The characteristics of data in Qualitative method :

1. Data can be observed but not measured

2. Mainly textual (words, pictures, audio, video), but also categorical

The characteristics of instruments in qualitative method is :

Flexible, the assessor is the primary instrument for data collection and
analysis.

Trustworthiness

Accounting for validity and reliability in qualitative research projects looks quite
different from quantitative projects. Reliability is an examination of the stability or
consistency of responses. To increase the consistency and reliability of a project,
document all procedures, and if possible set up a detailed protocol. Other reliability
procedures include (Creswell 2009, 191):

Check transcripts for obvious mistakes

Make sure there is no drift in definitions of codes or applications of them

during the coding process.

Generalization in Qualitative Research

At this method (qualitative), the generalize way is possible, but it has a quite different
with quantitative. The different is that its generalization will contribute to a general
theory of the phenomenon being studied which is applicable (Robert Yin, 2003, pp.
31-33)

If working with a team, coordinate and document communication from

meetings.

Cross-check codes with different researchers by comparing results that are

independently derived.

References

Acaps. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Techniques for Humanitarian Needs

Assessments. Better Assessments Better Aid. 2012

Creswell, John W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods

Approaches. 3rd Edition. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc., 2009.

Berg, Bruce L. Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences. 6th Edition.
San Francisco: Pearson Education, Inc., 2007.

Denzin, Norman K., and Yvonna S. Lincoln. Handbook of Qualitative Research.

Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc., 2000.