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Hesburgh Library
148 Hesburgh Library
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-8901
librarianmark@nd.edu
Overview
What is qualitative research?
Qualitative research seeks to understand how people make sense of their experiences in the world (Merriam, 2009) by exploring non-numerical data (Nkwi, Nyamongo & Ryan, 2001).
What are the advantages to using qualitative research methods when applicable?
According to FHI et al., the most important characteristic distinguishing qualitative research from quantitative research is the flexibility of qualitative research methods. For example, open-ended questions in surveys allow for greater variety of responses, which can evoke responses with the following qualities:
- "meaningful and culturally salient to the participant
- unanticipated by the researcher
- rich and explanatory in nature"
Further, qualitative approaches may allow a "researcher the flexibility to probe initial participant responses...to encourage them to elaborate...."
Sources
Family Health International, Mack, N., Woodsong, C., & United States Agency for International Development. (2005). Qualitative research methods: A data collector's field guide. North Carolina: FLI. Retrieved from https://youthsextion.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/06fhiqualitative-rm.pdf.
Kellam, L., & Thompson, K. (Eds.). (2016). Databrarianship : The academic data librarian in theory and practice. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.proxy.library.nd.edu
Merriam, Sharan B. (2009) Qualitative research :a guide to design and implementation San Francisco, Calif. : Jossey-Bass.
Nkwi P, Nyamongo I, Ryan G. Field Research into Social Issues: Methodological Guidelines. Washington, DC: UNESCO, 2001.
Visit Duke University Library's qualitative research guide for an excellent table summarizing the major characteristics of a variety of qualitative methods.