What is Qualitative Research?

Extract

“What is qualitative research?” “Is it a valid research methodology?” A few years ago I submitted a manuscript of my dissertation research that utilized a qualitative research method for possible publication. These were the comments I received from one of the reviewers. In our science-based world as medical laboratory professionals, we focus on the numbers. What are the standard deviation, the coefficient of variation, and the p value? What does a ROC curve or an ANOVA comparison indicate? We are accustomed to analyzing numbers, Levey-Jennings control charts, and graphs. However, even in our world of numbers some information is best collected and analyzed utilizing a qualitative research method.

Before we delve into the qualitative research methods, let's review the basics of quantitative research. Quantitative research allows data to be collected that focuses on precise and objective measurements that use numerical and statistical analysis to support or refute a hypothesis. The results of quantitative research are often generalizable, predictable, and provide a causal explanation. The researcher role is considered detached and impartial. Data collection methods consist of random sampling of people that should statistically represent a population, a controlled experiment that can be reproduced in which variables can be adjusted to examine the effect, or documentation of observations as with a case study. Statistical analysis of the data may include calculation of a mean, standard deviation and a t-test. Analysis of the numbers is used to objectify the data. This is the research method with which most of us are probably…