Qualitative Research Methods with Examples

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Writing down a research paper is always a hard-job. As it comes with many specifications, like what will be the type of research? What method will be used to analyze the research? How to dig into a review of the literature? Or how the research question will be constructed. But tell you what, if you will be able to grasp the essence of each section, it will be very easy for you to put ideas accordingly.

Usually, this type of research is used when the researcher wants to discover new theories and to formulate new concepts. Let this be more clear, this type studies the emotions, feelings as well as respondents of the ‘focused group’. This is what qualitative research is about; it is also used to analyze an issue that is impacting the people at large. And you know what? It is the basic tool for marketing research as well. When marketers seek to study people’s minds, and their choices, they always conduct this particular type of research.

Methods with Examples

• 1. One-on-one Interviews

Some people might name it a random conversation, but for a researcher, it is perhaps an opportunity to understand the thoughts of the targeted sample. This type of method might be time-consuming, as it involves one person at one time. Such an interview can also be taken on the phone, which would usually comprise 1-2 hours. But it’s better to prefer face-to-face interaction, as it gives the opportunity to read the body language of the respondent and then matches the responses respectively.

For example; if an essay writer wants to interview a top celebrity, like Ariana Grande, you will ask permission and then conduct an interview over the phone.

• 2. Focus Groups

This usually comprises a limited number of participants, within 7-11 from within the targeted audience. This type of method mainly focuses on why, what, and how questions. Presently with the advent of digital technology, researchers can take online surveys and gather the responses through their online portal. This type of method is very convenient for market analysts when they are trying to test new products and ideas.

For example; if a software company wants to launch a new product. They may select a sample of 10 people from each region wherever their outlets are situated.

• 3. Ethnography

This method is an in-depth observational method that studies the behaviors and environment of the targeted ethnic groups. A researcher might face demographic constraints while collecting data. But, this research is most relevant to analyze cultural challenges, motivations, and the specific environment in which everything is occurring. This method perhaps is the time-consuming method and depends on the credibility of the researcher that the way he analyzes, observes, and figures out the results.

For example; it includes studying different anthropological texts. Or if the researcher wants to get an in-depth analysis of Buddhist culture.

• 4. Record Keeping

This type of method analyzes the already available documents, like legal drafts, pieces of creative writing, statistical data, and so on. You can extract data while going to a library, research center, book store, etc.

For example; if any marketing analyst wants to study the behavior of a particular group of companies, the one will definitely go through the past records of the industry reports.

• 5. Qualitative Observation

This type of method uses subjective methods to collect systematic information. It deals with the 5 major sensation processes, such as smell, touch, taste, sight, and hearing. It doesn’t belong to measurements but the characteristics.

For example; here you will be given a scenario and ask what that particular scenario is depicting? So you will apply your 5 senses and interpret accordingly.

Being able to properly conduct and analyze qualitative research can either make or break your research paper. So if you’re unable to crack the nut, it's always a good idea to hire a professional essay writing service to give you a second opinion.