why is qualitative research important in education

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Importance of Qualitative Research in Education

Introduction.

Qualitative research plays a crucial role in understanding complex educational phenomena.

It offers in-depth insights into student experiences, teacher behaviors, and classroom dynamics.

By focusing on the “why” and “how,” qualitative methods uncover the nuances that quantitative data might overlook.

In education, understanding individual perspectives is essential for improving teaching strategies and student outcomes.

Qualitative research complements quantitative research by providing context to numerical data.

While quantitative methods highlight trends and patterns, qualitative research delves into the underlying causes and implications.

This combination gives educators a fuller understanding of their students’ needs.

Qualitative research methods, such as interviews, observations, and case studies, allow researchers to explore the emotions, motivations, and challenges of students and teachers.

These insights lead to more informed decisions about curricula, policies, and interventions.

Understanding personal experiences in education helps address issues like student engagement, diversity, and inclusivity.

In summary, qualitative research enriches education by offering a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the learning environment.

It works alongside quantitative data, providing educators with comprehensive tools to enhance learning and teaching practices.

Understanding student perspectives

Qualitative research in education plays a crucial role in understanding student perspectives.

By delving into the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of students, educators can gain valuable insights that can inform their teaching practices and enhance student learning outcomes.

Here’s a closer look at how qualitative research contributes to understanding student perspectives:

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Insights into student thoughts

One of the key advantages of qualitative research is its ability to provide a deep understanding of student thoughts.

Through methods like interviews, focus groups, and observations, educators can uncover the underlying beliefs, values, and attitudes that shape students’ perspectives on learning.

By gaining insights into what students are thinking, educators can adapt their teaching strategies to better resonate with student interests and motivations.

Understanding student feelings

Qualitative research also allows educators to tap into the emotional aspects of student experiences.

By exploring students’ feelings and emotions towards different aspects of their education, educators can create a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.

Understanding how students feel about their learning experiences can help educators design interventions that address emotional barriers to learning, such as anxiety, stress, or disengagement.

Exploring student experiences

Qualitative research enables educators to dive deep into the lived experiences of students.

By collecting rich, detailed accounts of students’ daily interactions, challenges, and achievements in education, educators can identify patterns and themes that inform their teaching practices.

This in-depth exploration of student experiences can shed light on the cultural, social, and personal factors that influence learning outcomes, allowing educators to make informed decisions that support student success.

Tailoring teaching methods

Qualitative research helps educators tailor their teaching methods to meet the needs and preferences of individual students.

Once educators have gained a comprehensive understanding of student perspectives through qualitative research, they can use this knowledge to tailor their teaching methods effectively.

By adapting teaching strategies to align with student preferences, learning styles, and needs, educators can create a more personalized and engaging educational experience for each student.

This personalized approach can enhance student motivation, participation, and academic achievement.

In fact, qualitative research in education is instrumental in understanding student perspectives and shaping effective teaching practices.

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By delving into student thoughts, feelings, and experiences, educators can gain valuable insights that inform their decision-making and support student success.

Through qualitative research, educators can create a more student-centered and inclusive learning environment that caters to the diverse needs and preferences of individual students.

Read: Role of Soft Skills in Adult Education Training

Identifying trends and patterns

How qualitative research helps educators identify trends and patterns in student behavior and learning styles.

Qualitative research in education plays a crucial role in helping educators gain a deeper understanding of students, their behaviors, and learning preferences.

One of the key benefits of qualitative research is its ability to identify trends and patterns that may not be easily observable through quantitative data alone.

By utilizing methods such as interviews, observations, and focus groups, educators can gather rich, detailed information about students’ experiences, motivations, and challenges.

This in-depth exploration allows educators to uncover underlying trends in student behavior and learning styles, enabling them to tailor their teaching methods more effectively.

Allows for the development of more effective teaching strategies and curricula

Through qualitative research, educators can also identify patterns in student responses to different teaching strategies or curriculum materials.

For example, they may discover that a particular group of students learns best through hands-on activities, while another group prefers visual aids or group discussions.

By recognizing these patterns, educators can design personalized learning experiences that cater to individual students’ needs and preferences.

This not only enhances student engagement and motivation but also improves learning outcomes in the long run.

Furthermore, qualitative research enables educators to gain insights into the factors influencing student behavior and academic performance.

By delving into students’ perspectives, beliefs, and attitudes, educators can better understand the underlying reasons for certain behaviors or learning challenges.

This deeper understanding allows educators to address these issues more effectively and implement targeted interventions to support students in achieving their academic goals.

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By refining their teaching strategies based on qualitative research findings, educators can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

In essence, qualitative research is a valuable tool for educators in identifying trends and patterns in student behavior and learning styles.

By gaining a deeper understanding of students’ experiences and preferences, educators can develop more effective teaching strategies and curricula that meet the diverse needs of learners.

Read: Advanced Degrees and Courses for Reading Specialists

Improving teacher-student relationships

By conducting qualitative research, educators can better understand the needs and concerns of their students.

Improving teacher-student relationships is crucial in creating a conducive learning environment.

Qualitative research plays a significant role in achieving this goal.

Educators can delve into the intricate needs and concerns of their students through qualitative research methods.

By gaining deeper insights into the unique challenges each student faces, teachers can tailor their approach to meet the individual needs of their students.

Builds trust and rapport between teachers and students, leading to a more positive learning environment

Furthermore, qualitative research helps in establishing trust and rapport between teachers and students.

When students feel understood and supported, they are more likely to engage actively in the learning process.

This trust forms the foundation for a positive teacher-student relationship, which is essential for effective education.

When teachers take the time to listen and empathize with their students through qualitative research, they demonstrate their commitment to their students’ well-being.

This empathy fosters a sense of belonging and connection within the classroom, creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Overall, improving teacher-student relationships through qualitative research is not just about fostering academic success but also about nurturing the emotional and social development of students.

When students feel valued and respected by their teachers, they are more motivated to learn and achieve their full potential.

In short, qualitative research in education is indispensable for enhancing teacher-student relationships.

By understanding the unique needs of each student and building trust through qualitative research, educators can create a positive and empowering learning environment for all students.

Read: Reading Specialists: Roles in Elementary Education

Informing policy and decision-making

In education, qualitative research plays a crucial role in informing policy and decision-making processes.

Here are some key reasons why qualitative research is important in this aspect:

Providing valuable data

Qualitative research offers rich and in-depth insights that quantitative data alone may not capture.

By delving into the why and how of educational phenomena, it provides policymakers with a more holistic understanding of complex issues.

Understanding real-world impact

Through qualitative research, policymakers can gain a deeper understanding of the real-world impact of their decisions on students, educators, and educational institutions.

This helps in making informed and evidence-based policy choices.

Identifying gaps and challenges

Qualitative research helps in identifying gaps and challenges within the education system.

By exploring the experiences, perspectives, and voices of stakeholders, researchers can uncover issues that quantitative data might not reveal.

Creating inclusive policies

Qualitative research allows for the exploration of diverse perspectives and experiences, enabling policymakers to develop more inclusive policies.

By considering the needs and voices of marginalized groups, policymakers can work towards creating a more equitable education system.

Evaluating program effectiveness

Qualitative research helps in evaluating the effectiveness of educational programs and interventions.

By collecting feedback from participants and stakeholders, researchers can assess the impact of initiatives and make necessary adjustments for improvement.

Fostering collaboration and dialogue

Qualitative research fosters collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders in the education sector.

By engaging in conversations based on research findings, policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders can work together towards common goals and solutions.

Enhancing accountability and transparency

By conducting qualitative research, policymakers can enhance accountability and transparency in the decision-making process.

Transparent research methodologies and reporting mechanisms ensure that decisions are based on reliable and valid data.

Informing evidence-based practices

Qualitative research provides the foundation for evidence-based practices in education.

By generating detailed insights and narratives, researchers contribute to the development of practices that are grounded in the realities of educational contexts.

In general, qualitative research is essential for informing policy and decision-making in education.

Its ability to provide rich data, understand real-world impact, identify challenges, and foster collaboration makes it a valuable tool for shaping the future of education.

Policymakers and educators must continue to embrace qualitative research as a means to drive positive change in the education sector.

Read: Reading Specialist vs. General Education Teacher

Enhancing professional development

Qualitative research plays a crucial role in the field of education, offering valuable insights into various aspects of teaching and learning.

Here are some key points highlighting the importance of qualitative research in education:

• Qualitative research allows educators to delve into the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of students.
• Helps in identifying student needs, preferences, and challenges in the learning process.
• Provides a more comprehensive understanding of student behavior and motivation in the classroom.

Improving teaching methods

• Educators can use qualitative research to assess the effectiveness of different teaching strategies.
• Identifies innovative and creative approaches to engage students and enhance learning outcomes.
• Enables teachers to tailor their instructional methods based on student feedback and observations.

Informing curriculum design

• Qualitative research helps in the development of relevant and engaging curriculum materials.
• Assists in aligning instructional content with student interests, abilities, and learning styles.
• Supports the continuous improvement of curriculum design to meet the changing needs of students.

Assessing student performance

• Qualitative research provides insights into student learning progress and achievement.
• Helps in evaluating the effectiveness of assessment methods and tools used in education.
• Supports the identification of individual strengths and areas for improvement in student performance.
• Educators can use qualitative research to reflect on their own teaching practices and identify areas for improvement.
• Supports ongoing professional development and growth in the education field.

In review, qualitative research serves as a valuable tool in education, offering a deeper understanding of students, teaching methods, curriculum design, assessment, and professional development.

By incorporating qualitative research methods into educational practices, educators can enhance the overall learning experience and contribute to continuous improvement in the field of education.

Addressing social and cultural factors

How qualitative research allows educators to explore the social and cultural factors that may influence student learning.

Qualitative research plays a crucial role in understanding how social and cultural factors influence student learning.

Educators can explore students’ backgrounds, beliefs, and values through qualitative methods.

This insight helps teachers recognize unique challenges or opportunities that may arise from these factors.

Social factors such as family dynamics, peer influence, and community norms significantly shape students’ learning experiences.

Qualitative research enables educators to gather firsthand accounts of these influences.

By doing so, they can tailor their teaching methods to better support diverse student needs.

Cultural factors, including language, traditions, and identity, also impact learning.

Through interviews and observations, educators can learn how students’ cultural contexts affect their engagement.

This allows for more meaningful connections between the curriculum and students’ lived experiences.

Helps create more inclusive and culturally responsive educational practices

Using qualitative research, educators can identify gaps in traditional teaching methods that may overlook marginalized groups.

By considering these findings, schools can foster more inclusive environments.

Inclusivity helps ensure that students from all backgrounds feel valued and supported in their educational journey.

Culturally responsive practices benefit from qualitative research by promoting education that respects and incorporates students’ cultural identities.

Teachers can adapt their instruction to be more relevant and accessible.

This strengthens students’ sense of belonging and encourages active participation in learning.

In a nutshell, qualitative research helps educators understand social and cultural factors that affect student learning.

This understanding leads to inclusive, culturally responsive practices that address the needs of all learners.

Schools that embrace these practices are better equipped to support students’ academic success and personal growth.

Encouraging innovation and creativity

How qualitative research fosters a spirit of innovation and creativity in educational settings.

Qualitative research fosters a spirit of innovation and creativity in educational settings. It allows educators to explore new perspectives and ideas.

By delving deeply into students’ experiences and classroom dynamics, qualitative research uncovers unique insights.

These insights lead to innovative approaches that address complex educational challenges.

Encourages educators to think outside the box and experiment with new teaching approaches

This research method encourages educators to think outside the box and experiment with new teaching approaches.

Instead of relying solely on traditional methods, educators can test and refine creative solutions tailored to their students’ needs.

For instance, a teacher might use qualitative findings to design lessons that better engage students through hands-on activities or collaborative learning.

Furthermore, qualitative research promotes flexible, adaptable teaching methods.

Educators become more open to changing their strategies when they see how students respond in real-life settings.

This openness leads to continuous improvement and encourages the use of novel teaching tools and techniques.

For example, educators might experiment with technology, group work, or real-world problem-solving tasks based on qualitative data.

As a result, classrooms become dynamic spaces where creativity thrives.

Teachers and students alike benefit from an environment that supports exploration and innovation.

Qualitative research empowers educators to design programs that go beyond conventional teaching methods, enhancing both student engagement and learning outcomes.

Basically, qualitative research plays a key role in fostering innovation and creativity in education.

By encouraging educators to think creatively and experiment, it enhances the learning experience.

This ultimately leads to more effective teaching and improved student outcomes, paving the way for educational advancements.

Qualitative research in education is crucial for understanding complex human behavior. It provides in-depth insights into students’ experiences and perspectives.

By emphasizing the importance of qualitative research, educators can tailor their teaching methods to meet the individual needs of students.

This approach also allows for a more holistic view of the learning process, leading to more effective education outcomes.

Ultimately, qualitative research has the potential to drive positive change in the field of education by promoting inclusivity, diversity, and student-centered approaches.

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Qualitative research in education : Background information

• Background information

• SAGE researchmethods SAGE Research Methods is a tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. Users can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and other areas of research.
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Using Qualitative Data in Education For Better Student Outcomes

Qualitative data in education is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance instructional practices and improve student outcomes. By understanding and effectively utilizing qualitative data, educators can gain valuable insights into their students’ experiences, perceptions, and needs.

In this article, we’ll uncover the importance of qualitative data in education, discuss different techniques for gathering and analyzing data, and provide strategies for applying this knowledge to make data-informed decisions to benefit students.

• What is Qualitative Data in Education?
• The Importance of Qualitative Data in Education
• Gathering Qualitative Data in the Classroom
• Analyzing Qualitative Data for Educational Insights
• Tools for Qualitative Data Analysis
• Applying Qualitative Data to Improve Student Outcomes
• Overcoming Challenges in Using Qualitative Data

1.  What is Qualitative Data in Education?

When it comes to understanding qualitative data in education, it’s important to have a clear definition. Qualitative data encompasses a wide range of information that is gathered through various methods, including observations, interviews, focus groups, and written documents. These methods include observing students in their natural learning environments, conducting interviews to gather their perspectives, engaging in focus groups to explore shared experiences, and analyzing written documents such as essays or reflective journals.

By using these methods, educators can gather rich and detailed information about students’ experiences, allowing them to gain insights into their thoughts, emotions, and motivations. This type of data is often subjective in nature, as it is influenced by the unique perspectives and interpretations of the individuals involved.

2.  The Importance of Qualitative Data in Education

Qualitative data plays a crucial role in education as it provides insights into complex phenomena that quantitative data alone cannot capture. While quantitative data can provide information about student performance and achievement, it does not provide a complete picture of the factors that influence these outcomes.

Read next: A guide to the different types of data in education

By gathering qualitative data, teachers can gain a holistic understanding of their students’ learning environments. They can uncover factors that may influence their academic performance, such as classroom dynamics, instructional approaches, and socio-cultural factors. For example, qualitative data can reveal how students’ cultural backgrounds impact their learning experiences and how their interactions with peers and teachers shape their attitudes towards education.

Moreover, qualitative data allows educators to explore the why and how behind students’ behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes. It enables them to identify patterns, themes, and trends that can guide instructional practices, curriculum development, and overall school improvement strategies.

By analyzing qualitative data, educators can gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of their teaching methods and make informed decisions to enhance student learning. They can also use this data to tailor their instruction to meet the diverse needs of their students, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

3.  Gathering Qualitative Data in the Classroom

Gathering qualitative data in the classroom involves using various methods to collect and document students’ experiences and perspectives. By employing a range of techniques, educators can gather a rich and diverse set of qualitative data that represents various dimensions of students’ educational journey.

Qualitative data in education can take different forms, including:

• Written reflections
• Classroom observations
• Focus groups, and
• Student work samples.

Each type of data collection method offers unique insights into students’ thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. For example, interviews can provide in-depth information about individual students’ experiences and perceptions. Educators can sit down with students one-on-one and ask open-ended questions to delve into their thoughts and emotions regarding their learning experiences. This method allows for a deeper understanding of the student’s perspective and allows them to express their thoughts freely.

Focus groups, on the other hand, allow for group discussions and the exploration of shared perspectives and experiences. Educators can gather a small group of students and facilitate a conversation around a specific topic or theme. This method encourages students to share their thoughts and engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers, providing valuable insights into their collective experiences.

By employing these techniques, educators can engage students directly in the data collection process, offering them the opportunity to have their voices heard. This participatory approach not only promotes student engagement but also provides a more accurate representation of their experiences and perspectives.

4.  Analyzing Qualitative Data for Educational Insights

Once qualitative data has been collected, the next step is to analyze it to derive meaningful insights. Analyzing qualitative data involves a systematic and rigorous examination of the gathered information to identify patterns, themes, and trends.

Qualitative data analysis is a crucial step in the research process, as it allows educators to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and behaviors of their students. By analyzing qualitative data, educators can uncover valuable insights that can inform their teaching practices and decision-making processes.

The process of qualitative data analysis typically involves several key steps. These include transcribing interviews or observations, identifying codes or themes, categorizing data, and interpreting the findings.

Transcribing interviews or observations is an essential step in qualitative data analysis. It involves converting audio or video recordings into written text, ensuring that every detail and nuance is captured accurately. This transcription process allows educators to review and analyze the data more effectively.

Identifying codes or themes is another crucial aspect of qualitative data analysis. Codes are labels or tags that are assigned to specific segments of data, representing concepts or ideas that emerge from the analysis. By identifying codes, educators can organize the data and make it more manageable for further analysis.

Categorizing data is the process of grouping similar codes or themes together. This step helps educators identify patterns and connections within the data. By categorizing data, educators can gain a holistic view of the information and draw meaningful conclusions.

Interpreting the findings is the final step in qualitative data analysis. It involves making sense of the data and extracting meaningful insights. Educators need to critically analyze the data, considering the context, participants’ perspectives, and their own experiences and knowledge. By interpreting the findings, educators can generate valuable knowledge that can be applied to their teaching practices.

5.  Tools for Qualitative Data Analysis

There are various software tools available that can facilitate the analysis of qualitative data. These tools provide features for coding, organizing, and visualizing data, making the analysis process more efficient and manageable.

One popular qualitative data analysis software is NVivo. NVivo offers a range of features that allow educators to organize and analyze their qualitative data effectively. It provides tools for coding, annotating, and visualizing data, making it easier to identify patterns and themes. NVivo also allows for collaboration, enabling educators to work together on analyzing the data and deriving insights.

Another widely used software for qualitative data analysis is ATLAS.ti. ATLAS.ti provides a comprehensive set of tools for coding, organizing, and analyzing qualitative data. It allows educators to create networks and visual representations of their data, helping them to identify relationships and connections. ATLAS.ti also offers advanced text search capabilities, making it easier to locate specific information within the data.

Overall, the availability of these software tools has revolutionized the process of qualitative data analysis. Educators now have access to powerful and user-friendly tools that can enhance their ability to analyze and derive insights from qualitative data. By utilizing these tools, educators can make more informed decisions and improve their teaching practices based on a deeper understanding of their students’ experiences and perspectives.

6.  Applying Qualitative Data to Improve Student Outcomes

Using qualitative data effectively can lead to tangible improvements in student outcomes. By applying insights gained from qualitative data analysis, educators can tailor their instructional practices and interventions to better support students’ needs.

Strategies for Data-Informed Decision Making

Data-informed decision making involves using qualitative data as a basis for making informed choices about teaching strategies, curriculum development, and student support services. Educators can use qualitative data to identify areas for improvement, monitor student progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or instructional approaches.

For example, qualitative data might highlight areas where students are experiencing difficulties or disengagement. Based on this information, educators can implement targeted interventions or adapt teaching methods to better meet students’ needs.

Read next: How student data can improve your teaching strategy

Monitoring and Evaluating the Impact of Data-Driven Changes

Once changes have been implemented based on qualitative data findings, it is essential to monitor and evaluate their impact. Ongoing assessment ensures that interventions are effective and responsive to students’ needs.

Regularly reviewing the outcomes of data-driven changes allows educators to gather additional qualitative data to inform and refine their practices. This cyclical process of data collection, analysis, implementation, and evaluation enables continuous improvement and better student outcomes.

7.  Overcoming Challenges in Using Qualitative Data

While qualitative data can provide valuable insights, there are challenges to consider when collecting and analyzing this type of data in education. By addressing these obstacles, educators can maximize the benefits of using qualitative data.

One common challenge is ensuring data reliability and validity. To address this, educators should use established research methodologies, such as triangulation, where multiple methods and data sources are used to support or validate findings. Additionally, educators may face time constraints and limited resources when collecting qualitative data. Planning and prioritizing data collection activities, as well as leveraging technology tools for data analysis, can help overcome these challenges.

When working with qualitative data, it is essential to prioritize ethical considerations. Educators must obtain informed consent from participants, protect their privacy and confidentiality , and ensure that the data is used only for educational purposes. By nurturing a culture of ethical data use, educators can build trust with their students and maintain the integrity of their research and decision-making processes.

Final Thoughts

In summary, qualitative data in education is a valuable resource that can enhance and improve student outcomes. Understanding qualitative data, employing effective data collection techniques, and analyzing the gathered information can provide educators with insights into students’ experiences and needs.

While qualitative data provides rich, in-depth insights into student experiences and needs, it’s essential to visualize and interpret this information for maximum impact. Our Inno™ Starter Kits are designed precisely for this purpose. By offering educators a comprehensive platform to easily plug in and showcase qualitative student data, the kits empower you to derive actionable strategies for enhanced student outcomes. Don’t just gather data—transform it into meaningful change with Inno™ Starter Kits.

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The purpose of qualitative research

Cite this chapter.

• Janice M. Morse 3 &
• Peggy Anne Field 4  

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Research fills a vital and important role in society: it is the means by which discoveries are made, ideas are confirmed or refuted, events controlled or predicted and theory developed or refined. All of these functions contribute to the development of knowledge. However, no single research approach fulfills all of these functions, and the contribution of qualitative research is both vital and unique to the goals of research in general. Qualitative research enables us to make sense of reality, to describe and explain the social world and to develop explanatory models and theories. It is the primary means by which the theoretical foundations of social sciences may be constructed or re-examined.

Research is to see what everybody has seen and to think what nobody has thought. (Albert Szent-Gyorgy)

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Noblit, G.W. and Engel, J.D. (1991/1992) The holistic injunction: an ideal and a moral imperative for qualitative research, in Qualitative Health Research , (ed. J.M. Morse), Sage, Newbury Park, CA, pp. 43–63.

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Smith, R.B. and Manning, P.K. (eds) (1982) A Handbook of Social Science Methods , Ballinger, Cambridge, MA.

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• What Is Qualitative Research? | Methods & Examples

What Is Qualitative Research? | Methods & Examples

Published on June 19, 2020 by Pritha Bhandari . Revised on September 5, 2024.

Qualitative research involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data (e.g., text, video, or audio) to understand concepts, opinions, or experiences. It can be used to gather in-depth insights into a problem or generate new ideas for research.

Qualitative research is the opposite of quantitative research , which involves collecting and analyzing numerical data for statistical analysis.

Qualitative research is commonly used in the humanities and social sciences, in subjects such as anthropology, sociology, education, health sciences, history, etc.

• How does social media shape body image in teenagers?
• How do children and adults interpret healthy eating in the UK?
• What factors influence employee retention in a large organization?
• How is anxiety experienced around the world?
• How can teachers integrate social issues into science curriculums?

Table of contents

Approaches to qualitative research, qualitative research methods, qualitative data analysis, advantages of qualitative research, disadvantages of qualitative research, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about qualitative research.

Qualitative research is used to understand how people experience the world. While there are many approaches to qualitative research, they tend to be flexible and focus on retaining rich meaning when interpreting data.

Common approaches include grounded theory, ethnography , action research , phenomenological research, and narrative research. They share some similarities, but emphasize different aims and perspectives.

Note that qualitative research is at risk for certain research biases including the Hawthorne effect , observer bias , recall bias , and social desirability bias . While not always totally avoidable, awareness of potential biases as you collect and analyze your data can prevent them from impacting your work too much.

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Each of the research approaches involve using one or more data collection methods . These are some of the most common qualitative methods:

• Observations: recording what you have seen, heard, or encountered in detailed field notes.
• Interviews:  personally asking people questions in one-on-one conversations.
• Focus groups: asking questions and generating discussion among a group of people.
• Surveys : distributing questionnaires with open-ended questions.
• Secondary research: collecting existing data in the form of texts, images, audio or video recordings, etc.
• You take field notes with observations and reflect on your own experiences of the company culture.
• You distribute open-ended surveys to employees across all the company’s offices by email to find out if the culture varies across locations.
• You conduct in-depth interviews with employees in your office to learn about their experiences and perspectives in greater detail.

Qualitative researchers often consider themselves “instruments” in research because all observations, interpretations and analyses are filtered through their own personal lens.

For this reason, when writing up your methodology for qualitative research, it’s important to reflect on your approach and to thoroughly explain the choices you made in collecting and analyzing the data.

Qualitative data can take the form of texts, photos, videos and audio. For example, you might be working with interview transcripts, survey responses, fieldnotes, or recordings from natural settings.

Most types of qualitative data analysis share the same five steps:

• Prepare and organize your data. This may mean transcribing interviews or typing up fieldnotes.
• Review and explore your data. Examine the data for patterns or repeated ideas that emerge.
• Develop a data coding system. Based on your initial ideas, establish a set of codes that you can apply to categorize your data.
• Assign codes to the data. For example, in qualitative survey analysis, this may mean going through each participant’s responses and tagging them with codes in a spreadsheet. As you go through your data, you can create new codes to add to your system if necessary.
• Identify recurring themes. Link codes together into cohesive, overarching themes.

There are several specific approaches to analyzing qualitative data. Although these methods share similar processes, they emphasize different concepts.

Qualitative research often tries to preserve the voice and perspective of participants and can be adjusted as new research questions arise. Qualitative research is good for:

• Flexibility

The data collection and analysis process can be adapted as new ideas or patterns emerge. They are not rigidly decided beforehand.

• Natural settings

Data collection occurs in real-world contexts or in naturalistic ways.

• Meaningful insights

Detailed descriptions of people’s experiences, feelings and perceptions can be used in designing, testing or improving systems or products.

• Generation of new ideas

Open-ended responses mean that researchers can uncover novel problems or opportunities that they wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.

Researchers must consider practical and theoretical limitations in analyzing and interpreting their data. Qualitative research suffers from:

• Unreliability

The real-world setting often makes qualitative research unreliable because of uncontrolled factors that affect the data.

• Subjectivity

Due to the researcher’s primary role in analyzing and interpreting data, qualitative research cannot be replicated . The researcher decides what is important and what is irrelevant in data analysis, so interpretations of the same data can vary greatly.

• Limited generalizability

Small samples are often used to gather detailed data about specific contexts. Despite rigorous analysis procedures, it is difficult to draw generalizable conclusions because the data may be biased and unrepresentative of the wider population .

• Labor-intensive

Although software can be used to manage and record large amounts of text, data analysis often has to be checked or performed manually.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Chi square goodness of fit test
• Degrees of freedom
• Null hypothesis
• Discourse analysis
• Control groups
• Mixed methods research
• Non-probability sampling
• Quantitative research
• Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Research bias

• Rosenthal effect
• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Selection bias
• Negativity bias
• Status quo bias

Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistics, while qualitative research deals with words and meanings.

Quantitative methods allow you to systematically measure variables and test hypotheses . Qualitative methods allow you to explore concepts and experiences in more detail.

There are five common approaches to qualitative research :

• Grounded theory involves collecting data in order to develop new theories.
• Ethnography involves immersing yourself in a group or organization to understand its culture.
• Narrative research involves interpreting stories to understand how people make sense of their experiences and perceptions.
• Phenomenological research involves investigating phenomena through people’s lived experiences.
• Action research links theory and practice in several cycles to drive innovative changes.

Data collection is the systematic process by which observations or measurements are gathered in research. It is used in many different contexts by academics, governments, businesses, and other organizations.

There are various approaches to qualitative data analysis , but they all share five steps in common:

• Prepare and organize your data.
• Review and explore your data.
• Develop a data coding system.
• Assign codes to the data.
• Identify recurring themes.

The specifics of each step depend on the focus of the analysis. Some common approaches include textual analysis , thematic analysis , and discourse analysis .

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Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research: Comparing the Methods and Strategies for Education Research

No matter the field of study, all research can be divided into two distinct methodologies: qualitative and quantitative research. Both methodologies offer education researchers important insights.

Education research assesses problems in policy, practices, and curriculum design, and it helps administrators identify solutions. Researchers can conduct small-scale studies to learn more about topics related to instruction or larger-scale ones to gain insight into school systems and investigate how to improve student outcomes.

Education research often relies on the quantitative methodology. Quantitative research in education provides numerical data that can prove or disprove a theory, and administrators can easily share the number-based results with other schools and districts. And while the research may speak to a relatively small sample size, educators and researchers can scale the results from quantifiable data to predict outcomes in larger student populations and groups.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research in Education: Definitions

Although there are many overlaps in the objectives of qualitative and quantitative research in education, researchers must understand the fundamental functions of each methodology in order to design and carry out an impactful research study. In addition, they must understand the differences that set qualitative and quantitative research apart in order to determine which methodology is better suited to specific education research topics.

Generate Hypotheses with Qualitative Research

Qualitative research focuses on thoughts, concepts, or experiences. The data collected often comes in narrative form and concentrates on unearthing insights that can lead to testable hypotheses. Educators use qualitative research in a study’s exploratory stages to uncover patterns or new angles.

Form Strong Conclusions with Quantitative Research

Quantitative research in education and other fields of inquiry is expressed in numbers and measurements. This type of research aims to find data to confirm or test a hypothesis.

Differences in Data Collection Methods

Keeping in mind the main distinction in qualitative vs. quantitative research—gathering descriptive information as opposed to numerical data—it stands to reason that there are different ways to acquire data for each research methodology. While certain approaches do overlap, the way researchers apply these collection techniques depends on their goal.

Interviews, for example, are common in both modes of research. An interview with students that features open-ended questions intended to reveal ideas and beliefs around attendance will provide qualitative data. This data may reveal a problem among students, such as a lack of access to transportation, that schools can help address.

An interview can also include questions posed to receive numerical answers. A case in point: how many days a week do students have trouble getting to school, and of those days, how often is a transportation-related issue the cause? In this example, qualitative and quantitative methodologies can lead to similar conclusions, but the research will differ in intent, design, and form.

Taking a look at behavioral observation, another common method used for both qualitative and quantitative research, qualitative data may consider a variety of factors, such as facial expressions, verbal responses, and body language.

On the other hand, a quantitative approach will create a coding scheme for certain predetermined behaviors and observe these in a quantifiable manner.

Qualitative Research Methods

• Case Studies : Researchers conduct in-depth investigations into an individual, group, event, or community, typically gathering data through observation and interviews.
• Focus Groups : A moderator (or researcher) guides conversation around a specific topic among a group of participants.
• Ethnography : Researchers interact with and observe a specific societal or ethnic group in their real-life environment.
• Interviews : Researchers ask participants questions to learn about their perspectives on a particular subject.

Quantitative Research Methods

• Questionnaires and Surveys : Participants receive a list of questions, either closed-ended or multiple choice, which are directed around a particular topic.
• Experiments : Researchers control and test variables to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships.
• Observations : Researchers look at quantifiable patterns and behavior.
• Structured Interviews : Using a predetermined structure, researchers ask participants a fixed set of questions to acquire numerical data.

Choosing a Research Strategy

When choosing which research strategy to employ for a project or study, a number of considerations apply. One key piece of information to help determine whether to use a qualitative vs. quantitative research method is which phase of development the study is in.

For example, if a project is in its early stages and requires more research to find a testable hypothesis, qualitative research methods might prove most helpful. On the other hand, if the research team has already established a hypothesis or theory, quantitative research methods will provide data that can validate the theory or refine it for further testing.

It’s also important to understand a project’s research goals. For instance, do researchers aim to produce findings that reveal how to best encourage student engagement in math? Or is the goal to determine how many students are passing geometry? These two scenarios require distinct sets of data, which will determine the best methodology to employ.

In some situations, studies will benefit from a mixed-methods approach. Using the goals in the above example, one set of data could find the percentage of students passing geometry, which would be quantitative. The research team could also lead a focus group with the students achieving success to discuss which techniques and teaching practices they find most helpful, which would produce qualitative data.

Learn How to Put Education Research into Action

Those with an interest in learning how to harness research to develop innovative ideas to improve education systems may want to consider pursuing a doctoral degree. American University’s School of Education online offers a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Education Policy and Leadership that prepares future educators, school administrators, and other education professionals to become leaders who effect positive changes in schools. Courses such as Applied Research Methods I: Enacting Critical Research provides students with the techniques and research skills needed to begin conducting research exploring new ways to enhance education. Learn more about American’ University’s EdD in Education Policy and Leadership .

What’s the Difference Between Educational Equity and Equality?

EdD vs. PhD in Education: Requirements, Career Outlook, and Salary

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Qualitative Research in Healthcare: Necessity and Characteristics

1 Department of Preventive Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea

2 Ulsan Metropolitan City Public Health Policy’s Institute, Ulsan, Korea

3 Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea

Eun Young Choi

4 College of Nursing, Sungshin Women’s University, Seoul, Korea

Seung Gyeong Jang

5 Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Quantitative and qualitative research explore various social phenomena using different methods. However, there has been a tendency to treat quantitative studies using complicated statistical techniques as more scientific and superior, whereas relatively few qualitative studies have been conducted in the medical and healthcare fields. This review aimed to provide a proper understanding of qualitative research. This review examined the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research to help researchers select the appropriate qualitative research methodology. Qualitative research is applicable in following cases: (1) when an exploratory approach is required on a topic that is not well known, (2) when something cannot be explained fully with quantitative research, (3) when it is necessary to newly present a specific view on a research topic that is difficult to explain with existing views, (4) when it is inappropriate to present the rationale or theoretical proposition for designing hypotheses, as in quantitative research, and (5) when conducting research that requires detailed descriptive writing with literary expressions. Qualitative research is conducted in the following order: (1) selection of a research topic and question, (2) selection of a theoretical framework and methods, (3) literature analysis, (4) selection of the research participants and data collection methods, (5) data analysis and description of findings, and (6) research validation. This review can contribute to the more active use of qualitative research in healthcare, and the findings are expected to instill a proper understanding of qualitative research in researchers who review qualitative research reports and papers.

Graphical abstract

INTRODUCTION

The definition of research varies among studies and scholars, and it is difficult to devise a single definition. The Oxford English Dictionary defines research as “a careful study of a subject, especially in order to discover new facts or information about it” [ 1 ], while Webster’s Dictionary defines research as “studious inquiry or examination - especially: investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of such new or revised theories or laws” [ 2 ]. Moreover, research is broadly defined as the process of solving unsolved problems to broaden human knowledge [ 3 ]. A more thorough understanding of research can be gained by examining its types and reasons for conducting it.

The reasons for conducting research may include practical goals, such as degree attainment, job promotion, and financial profit. Research may be based on one’s own academic curiosity or aspiration or guided by professors or other supervisors. Academic research aims can be further divided into the following: (1) accurately describing an object or phenomenon, (2) identifying general laws and establishing well-designed theories for understanding and explaining a certain phenomenon, (3) predicting future events based on laws and theories, and (4) manipulating causes and conditions to induce or prevent a phenomenon [ 3 ].

The appropriate type of research must be selected based on the purpose and topic. Basic research has the primary purpose of expanding the existing knowledge base through new discoveries, while applied research aims to solve a real problem. Descriptive research attempts to factually present comparisons and interpretations of findings based on analyses of the characteristics, progression, or relationships of a certain phenomenon by manipulating the variables or controlling the conditions. Experimental or analytical research attempts to identify causal relationships between variables through experiments by arbitrarily manipulating the variables or controlling the conditions [ 3 ]. In addition, research can be quantitative or qualitative, depending on the data collection and analytical methods. Quantitative research relies on statistical analyses of quantitative data obtained primarily through investigation and experiment, while qualitative research uses specific methodologies to analyze qualitative data obtained through participant observations and in-depth interviews. However, as these types of research are not polar opposites and the criteria for classifying research types are unclear, there is some degree of methodological overlap.

What is more important than differentiating types of research is identifying the appropriate type of research to gain a better understanding of specific questions and improve problems encountered by people in life. An appropriate research type or methodology is essential to apply findings reliably. However, quantitative research based on the philosophical ideas of empiricism and positivism has been the mainstay in the field of healthcare, with academic advancement achieved through the application of various statistical techniques to quantitative data [ 4 ]. In particular, there has been a tendency to treat complicated statistical techniques as more scientific and superior, with few qualitative studies in not only clinical medicine, but also primary care and social medicine, which are relatively strongly influenced by the social sciences [ 5 , 6 ].

Quantitative and qualitative research use different ways of exploring various social phenomena. Both research methodologies can be applied individually or in combination based on the research topic, with mixed quantitative and qualitative research methodologies becoming more widespread in recent years [ 7 ]. Applying these 2 methods through a virtuous cycle of integration from a complementary perspective can provide a more accurate understanding of human phenomena and solutions to real-world problems.

This review aimed to provide a proper understanding of qualitative research to assist researchers in selecting the appropriate research methodology. Specifically, this review examined the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research, the applicability of qualitative research, and the data sources collected and analyzed in qualitative research.

COMPARISON OF QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

A clearer understanding of qualitative research can be obtained by comparing qualitative and quantitative research, with which people are generally familiar [ 8 , 9 ]. Quantitative research focuses on testing the validity of hypotheses established by the researcher to identify the causal relationships of a specific phenomenon and discovering laws to predict that phenomenon ( Table 1 ). Therefore, it emphasizes controlling the influence of variables that may interfere with the process of identifying causality and laws. In contrast, qualitative research aims to discover and explore new hypotheses or theories based on a deep understanding of the meaning of a specific phenomenon. As such, qualitative research attempts to accept various environmental factors naturally. In quantitative research, importance is placed on the researcher acting as an outsider to take an objective view by keeping a certain distance from the research subject. In contrast, qualitative research encourages looking inside the research subjects to understand them deeply, while also emphasizing the need for researchers to take an intersubjective view that is formed and shared based on a mutual understanding with the research subjects.

Comparison of methodological characteristics between quantitative research and qualitative research

The data used in quantitative research can be expressed as numerical values, and data accumulated through questionnaire surveys and tests are often used in analyses. In contrast, qualitative research uses narrative data with words and images collected through participant observations, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions used in the analyses. Quantitative research data are measured repeatedly to enhance their reliability, while the analyses of such data focus on superficial aspects of the phenomenon of interest. Qualitative research instead focuses on obtaining deep and rich data and aims to identify the specific contents, dynamics, and processes inherent within the phenomenon and situation.

There are clear distinctions in the advantages, disadvantages, and goals of quantitative and qualitative research. On one hand, quantitative research has the advantages of reliability and generalizability of the findings, and advances in data collection and analysis methods have increased reliability and generalizability. However, quantitative research presents difficulties with an in-depth analysis of dynamic phenomena that cannot be expressed by numbers alone and interpreting the results analyzed in terms numbers. On the other hand, qualitative research has the advantage of validity, which refers to how accurately or appropriately a phenomenon was measured. However, qualitative research also has the disadvantage of weak generalizability, which determines whether an observed phenomenon applies to other cases.

APPLICATIONS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH AND ITS USEFULNESS IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD

Qualitative research cannot be the solution to all problems. A specific methodology should not be applied to all situations. Therefore, researchers need to have a good understanding of the applicability of qualitative research. Generally, qualitative research is applicable in following cases: (1) when an exploratory approach is required on a topic that is not well known, (2) when something cannot be explained fully with quantitative research, (3) when it is necessary to newly present a specific view on a research topic that is difficult to explain with existing views, (4) when it is inappropriate to present the rationale or theoretical proposition for designing hypotheses, as in quantitative research, and (5) when conducting research that requires detailed descriptive writing with literary expressions [ 7 ]. In particular, qualitative research is useful for opening new fields of research, such as important topics that have not been previously examined or whose significance has not been recognized. Moreover, qualitative research is advantageous for examining known topics from a fresh perspective.

In the healthcare field, qualitative research is conducted on various topics considering its characteristics and strengths. Quantitative research, which focuses on hypothesis validation, such as the superiority of specific treatments or the effectiveness of specific policies, and the generalization of findings, has been the primary research methodology in the field of healthcare. Qualitative research has been mostly applied for studies such as subjective disease experiences and attitudes with respect to health-related patient quality of life [ 10 - 12 ], experiences and perceptions regarding the use of healthcare services [ 13 - 15 ], and assessments of the quality of care [ 16 , 17 ]. Moreover, qualitative research has focused on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, disabled [ 18 - 20 ], minorities, and socially underprivileged with specific experiences [ 21 , 22 ].

For instance, patient safety is considered a pillar of quality of care, which is an aspect of healthcare with increasing international interest. The ultimate goal of patient safety research should be the improvement of patient safety, for which it is necessary to identify the root causes of potential errors and adverse events. In such cases, qualitative rather than quantitative research is often required. It is also important to identify whether there are any barriers when applying measures for enhancing patient safety to clinical practice. To identify such barriers, qualitative research is necessary to observe healthcare workers directly applying the solutions step-by-step during each process, determine whether there are difficulties in applying the solutions to relevant stakeholders, and ask how to improve the process if there are difficulties.

Patient safety is a very broad topic, and patient safety issues could be categorized into preventing, recognizing, and responding to patient safety issues based on related metrics [ 23 ]. Responding to issues that pertain to the handling of patient safety incidents that have already occurred has received relatively less interest than other categories of research on this topic, particularly in Korea. Until 2017, almost no research was conducted on the experiences of and difficulties faced by patients and healthcare workers who have been involved in patient safety incidents. This topic can be investigated using qualitative research.

A study in Korea investigated the physical and mental suffering experienced during the process of accepting disability and medical litigation by a patient who became disabled due to medical malpractice [ 21 ]. Another qualitative case study was conducted with participants who lost a family member due to a medical accident and identified psychological suffering due to the incident, as well as secondary psychological suffering during the medical litigation process, which increased the expandability of qualitative research findings [ 24 ]. A quantitative study based on these findings confirmed that people who experienced patient safety incidents had negative responses after the incidents and a high likelihood of sleep or eating disorders, depending on their responses [ 25 ].

A study that applied the grounded theory to examine the second victim phenomenon, referring to healthcare workers who have experienced patient safety incidents, and presented the response stages experienced by second victims demonstrated the strength of qualitative research [ 26 ]. Subsequently, other studies used questionnaire surveys on physicians and nurses to quantify the physical, mental, and work-related difficulties experienced by second victims [ 27 , 28 ]. As such, qualitative research alone can produce significant findings; however, combining quantitative and qualitative research produces a synergistic effect. In the healthcare field, which remains unfamiliar with qualitative research, combining these 2 methodologies could both enhance the validity of research findings and facilitate open discussions with other researchers [ 29 ].

In addition, qualitative research has been used for diverse sub-topics, including the experiences of patients and guardians with respect to various diseases (such as cancer, myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, falls, and dementia), awareness of treatment for diabetes and hypertension, the experiences of physicians and nurses when they come in contact with medical staff, awareness of community health environments, experiences of medical service utilization by the general public in medically vulnerable areas, the general public’s awareness of vaccination policies, the health issues of people with special types of employment (such as delivery and call center workers), and the unmet healthcare needs of persons with vision or hearing impairment.

GENERAL WORKFLOW OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Rather than focusing on deriving objective information, qualitative research aims to discern the quality of a specific phenomenon, obtaining answers to “why” and “how” questions. Qualitative research aims to collect data multi-dimensionally and provide in-depth explanations of the phenomenon being researched. Ultimately, the purpose of qualitative research is set to help researchers gain an understanding of the research topic and reveal the implications of the research findings. Therefore, qualitative research is generally conducted in the following order: (1) selection of a research topic and question, (2) selection of a theoretical framework and methods, (3) literature analysis, (4) selection of the research participants (or participation target) and data collection methods, (5) data analysis and description of findings, and (6) research validation ( Figure 1 ) [ 30 ]. However, unlike quantitative research, in which hypothesis setting and testing take place unidirectionally, a major characteristic of qualitative research is that the process is reversible and research methods can be modified. In other words, the research topic and question could change during the literature analysis process, and theoretical and analytical methods could change during the data collection process.

General workflow of qualitative research.

Selection of a Research Topic and Question

As with any research, the first step in qualitative research is the selection of a research topic and question. Qualitative researchers can select a research topic based on their interests from daily life as a researcher, their interests in issues within the healthcare field, and ideas from the literature, such as academic journals. The research question represents a more specific aspect of the research topic. Before specifically starting to conduct research based on a research topic, the researcher should clarify what is being researched and determine what research would be desirable. When selecting a research topic and question, the research should ask: is the research executable, are the research topic and question worth researching, and is this a research question that a researcher would want to research?

Selection of Theoretical Framework and Methods

A theoretical framework refers to the thoughts or attitudes that a researcher has about the phenomenon being researched. Selecting the theoretical framework first could help qualitative researchers not only in selecting the research purpose and problem, but also in carrying out various processes, including an exploration of the precedent literature and research, selection of the data type to be collected, data analysis, and description of findings. In qualitative research, theoretical frameworks are based on philosophical ideas, which affect the selection of specific qualitative research methods. Representative qualitative research methods include the grounded theory, which is suitable for achieving the goal of developing a theory that can explain the processes involved in the phenomenon being researched; ethnographic study, which is suitable for research topics that attempt to identify and interpret the culture of a specific group; phenomenology, which is suitable for research topics that attempt to identify the nature of research participants’ experiences or the phenomenon being researched; case studies, which aim to gain an in-depth understanding of a case that has unique characteristics and can be differentiated from other cases; action research, which aims to find solutions to problems faced by research participants, with the researchers taking the same position as the participants; and narrative research, which is suitable for research topics that attempt to interpret the entire life or individual experiences contained within the stories of research participants. Other methodologies include photovoice research, consensual qualitative research, and auto-ethnographic research.

Literature Analysis

Literature analysis results can be helpful in specifically selecting the research problem, theoretical framework, and research methods. The literature analysis process compels qualitative researchers to contemplate the new knowledge that their research will add to the academic field. A comprehensive literature analysis is encouraged both in qualitative and quantitative research, and if the prior literature related to the subject to be studied is insufficient, it is sometimes evaluated as having low research potential or research value. Some have claimed that a formal literature review should not be performed before the collection of field data, as it could create bias, thereby interfering with the investigation. However, as the qualitative research process is cyclic rather than unidirectional, the majority believes that a literature review can be performed at any time. Moreover, an ethical review prior to starting the research is a requirement; therefore, the research protocol must be prepared and submitted for review and approval prior to conducting the research. To prepare research protocols, the existing literature must be analyzed at least to a certain degree. Nonetheless, qualitative researchers must keep in mind that their emotions, bias, and expectations may interject themselves during the literature review process and should strive to minimize any bias to ensure the validity of the research.

Selection of the Research Participants and Data Collection Methods

The subjects of qualitative research are not necessarily humans. It is more important to find the research subject(s) from which the most in-depth answers to the research problem can be obtained. However, the subjects in most qualitative studies are humans, as most research question focus on humans. Therefore, it is important to obtain research participants with sufficient knowledge, experience, and attitudes to provide the most appropriate answers to the research question. Quantitative research, which views generalizability as a key research goal, emphasizes the selection of research participants (i.e., the research sample that can represent the study’s population of interest), whereas qualitative research emphasizes finding research participants who can best describe and demonstrate the phenomenon of interest.

In qualitative research, the participant selection method is referred to as purposeful sampling (or purposive sampling), which can be divided into various types. Sampling methods have various advantages, disadvantages, and characteristics. For instance, unique sampling (extreme case sampling) has the advantage of being able to obtain interesting research findings by researching phenomena that have previously received little or no interest, and the disadvantage of deriving research findings that are interesting to only some readers if the research is conducted on an overly unique situation. Maximum variation sampling, also referred to as theoretical sampling, is commonly used in qualitative research based on the grounded theory. Selecting the appropriate participant sampling method that suits the purpose of research is crucial ( Table 2 ).

Sampling methods of selecting research participants in qualitative research

Once the researcher has decided how to select study participants, the data collection methods must be determined. Just as with participant sampling, various data collection methods are available, all of which have various advantages and disadvantages; therefore, the method must be selected based on the research question and circumstances. Unlike quantitative research, which usually uses a single data source and data collection method, the use of multiple data sources and data collection methods is encouraged in qualitative research [ 30 ]. Using a single data source and data collection method could cause data collection to be skewed by researcher bias; therefore, using multiple data sources and data collection methods is ideal. In qualitative research, the following data types are commonly used: (1) interview data obtained through one-on-one in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, (2) observational data from various observation levels, (3) documented data collected from personal or public documents, and (4) image data, such as photographs and videos.

Interview data are the most commonly used data source in qualitative research [ 31 ]. In qualitative research, an interview refers to communication that takes place based on a clear sense of purpose of acquiring certain information, unlike conversations that typically take place in daily life. The level of data acquired through interviews varies significantly depending on the researcher’s personal qualifications and abilities, as well as his or her level of interest and knowledge regarding the research topic. Therefore, interviewers must be trained to go beyond simply identifying the clearly expressed experiences of research participants to exploring their inner experiences and emotions [ 32 ]. Interview data can be classified based on the level of structuralization of the data collection method, sample size, and interview method. The characteristics of each type of interview are given in Table 3 .

Detailed types of interview methods according to the characteristics of in-depth interviews and focus group discussion

Observations, which represent a key data collection method in anthropology, refer to a series of actions taken by the researcher in search of a deep understanding by systematically examining the appearances of research participants that take place in natural situations [ 33 ]. Observations can be categorized as participant and non-participant, insider and outsider, disguised and undisguised, short- and long-term, and structured and unstructured. However, a line cannot be drawn clearly to differentiate these categories, and the degree of each varies along a single spectrum. Therefore, it is necessary for a qualitative researcher to select the appropriate data collection method based on the circumstances and characteristics of the research topic.

Various types of document data can be used in qualitative research. Personal documents include diaries, letters, and autobiographies, while public documents include legal documents, public announcements, and civil documents. Online documents include emails and blog or bulletin board postings, while other documents include graffiti. All these document types may be used as data sources in qualitative research. In addition, image data acquired by the research participant or researcher, such as photographs and videos, serve as useful data sources in qualitative research. Such data sources are relatively objective and easily accessible, while they contain a significant amount of qualitative meaning despite the low acquisition cost. While some data may have been collected for research purposes, other data may not have been originally produced for research. Therefore, the researcher must not distort the original information contained in the data source and must verify the accuracy and authenticity of the data source in advance [ 30 ].

This review examined the characteristics of qualitative research to help researchers select the appropriate qualitative research methodology and identify situations suitable for qualitative research in the healthcare field. In addition, this paper analyzed the selection of the research topic and problem, selection of the theoretical framework and methods, literature analysis, and selection of the research participants and data collection methods. A forthcoming paper will discuss more specific details regarding other qualitative research methodologies, such as data analysis, description of findings, and research validation. This review can contribute to the more active use of qualitative research in the healthcare field, and the findings are expected to instill a proper understanding of qualitative research in researchers who review and judge qualitative research reports and papers.

Ethics Statement

Since this study used secondary data source, we did not seek approval from the institutional review board. We also did not have to ask for the consent of the participants.

Acknowledgments

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflicts of interest associated with the material presented in this paper.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Conceptualization: Pyo J, Lee W, Choi EY, Jang SG, Ock M. Data curation: Pyo J, Ock M. Formal analysis: Pyo J, Ock M. Funding acquisition: None. Validation: Lee W, Choi EY, Jang SG. Writing - original draft: Pyo J, Ock M. Writing - review & editing: Pyo J, Lee W, Choi EY, Jang SG, Ock M.