What is Qualitative Research?

Qualitative research is a methodological approach focused on understanding human behavior, motivations, and the meanings individuals assign to their experiences. This form of research emphasizes rich, descriptive data rather than numerical analysis, allowing researchers to gain deeper insights into participant perspectives.

When to use Qualitative Research?

Qualitative research is particularly useful when a researcher aims to explore complex phenomena, understand personal experiences, or gather in-depth insights into user behavior. It is ideal for early-stage research where the goal is to generate hypotheses or gather contextual data to inform further studies.

When not to use Qualitative Research?

Qualitative research may not be suitable when the research question requires quantifiable data or statistical analysis. If the aim is to measure prevalence or test specific hypotheses across large populations, quantitative methods may be more appropriate.

What is the anatomy of Qualitative Research?

The anatomy of qualitative research includes various components such as data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, observations), participant selection (purposive sampling), and data analysis techniques (thematic analysis, grounded theory). Each component plays a crucial role in ensuring that the research produces meaningful and valid findings.