What Should One Consider When Conducting a Qualitative Project?

The three methods often used when writing a research project include; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. The approaches are based on assessing the worldview regarding particular research and a specific design. Qualitative research focuses on establishing the natural aspect of a phenomenon while relying on the direct experiences of human beings as individuals who make sense of their daily lives.

Qualitative research is based on collecting non-numerical data and working with it to understand social life by studying targeted populations This type of research mainly answers the how and why questions based on the human experience. The research process entails emerging questions, collection of data from the participant’s setting, data analysis, and making interpretations based on the information gathered.

There are six types of qualitative research, including the narrative model, phenomenological model, historical model, grounded theory method, case study model, and the ethnographic model. The purpose of this article is to explore the fundamental factors that a researcher should consider while writing a qualitative capstone project, thesis, or dissertation.

Factors to Consider when Writing a Qualitative Project

Decisions made regarding the use of a particular approach are often influenced by five main factors; the research problem, the researcher’s personal experiences, the targeted audience, the method of data collection, and data analysis. Some research problems are well addressed by the use of qualitative research, while others are appropriately approached through the use of the quantitative approach or both the qualitative and quantitative methods.

A qualitative approach is often used when there is a need for intensive evaluation of a particular phenomenon because minimal research has been conducted on it, thereby resulting in a gap in the literature or conflicting findings. Overall, for a problem to be researchable, it should be clearly and concisely stated, delineated, significant, and logical.

The Research Problem to be Addressed

When a research problem is delineated, it reduces its chances of modification to a state that it should not be, thereby allowing for practical investigation. Similarly, when a research problem is significant, it is considered non-trivial and reduces the chances of repeating previous work. The problem should also be logical to enable the collection of relevant evidence based on the identified issue. The research problem should also be designed in a manner that allows the investigator to make inferences based on the issue, considering that the investigator aims to find solutions to the research question. In addition, the research problem should be new or be based on a topic that has never been explored with a particular group of individuals. Therefore, the investigator should be unfamiliar with the research topic or lack the knowledge of the variables that are to be examined.

The Researchers Experience

Researchers’ training, experiences, and familiarity with a particular method also influence their selection of an approach. Individuals that are trained to write in a literary manner, or are skilled in conducting personal interviews are more likely to prefer using the qualitative approach because they have sufficient background information for easy comprehension of the relevant concepts and theories.

The Audience

Additionally, it is important to consider the audience intended for the findings from particular research. Audience plays a significant role in influencing the decision made regarding the use of a design. The audience can include faculty committees, journal readers and editors, or conference attendees.

Data Collection Method

The method of data collection is also a significant factor that should also be considered when writing a qualitative project. The methods that are commonly used when conducting qualitative research include extensive literature review, focus groups, interviews, and surveys.

Data Analysis Method

Data analysis is also an important consideration when conducting a qualitative project. In particular, early data analysis by the exploration of the field without narrowing down on any particular subject is critical because it enables the researcher to establish the findings that may, later on, be investigated in depth. Based on a qualitative project, early data analysis can involve doing interviews or focus groups with a small sample.

Steps to Follow When Writing a Qualitative Project

There are various steps that a researcher must follow when writing a qualitative project.

1. It is important to state the research problem clearly.
2. The development or identification of a logical research question is paramount to the successful completion of a project.
3. The researcher should then collect sufficient background information regarding the identified problem to ensure comprehension of the relevant concepts, after which suggestions to the research problem based on the information collected are provided. The suggested interpretations should be used as a guide when searching for evidence.
4. The researcher is then expected to cross-check the quality of the sources of evidence to ensure that they are consistent and accurate, and then confirm the validity and logicality of the instruments that influence the decision-making process. The selection of the most reliable case follows, mainly if various conclusions were made.
5. Finally, the researcher is expected to prepare a report based on the research.

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