Definition Of Qualitative Research

Psychology definition of qualitative research.

Definition of qualitative research. Qualitative research is a type of social science research that collects and works with non numerical data and that seeks to interpret meaning from these data that help understand social life through the study of targeted populations or places. For example consider a convenience store looking to improve its patronage. The implication here is that quantitative research simply objectively reports reality whereas qualitative research is influ enced by the researcher s political values. An approach to science that does not use numerical data when analyzing observations.

Qualitative research is compared and contrasted with quantitative research. The defining nature and characteristics of qualitative research are surveyed in this article which identifies key distinctions between method and methodology. The same sort of argument can arise about flexibility. Qualitative research is viewed as holistic whereas quantitative research is viewed as reductionistic.

Qualitative research involves the studied use and collection of a variety of empirical materials case study personal experience introspective life story interview observational historical interactional and visual texts that describe routine and problematic moments and meanings in individuals lives. This method is not only about what people think but also why they think so. What is qualitative research. The authors note that qualitative.

However qualitative and quantitative research are complementary not contradictory. Qualitative research is defined as a market research method that focuses on obtaining data through open ended and conversational communication.