In Defense of Qualitative Research Methods
TOPIC: Qualitative research is often said to be without structure, process and rigor. Discuss.
NAME: Jepter Lorde
SUBJECT: Qualitative Research Methods
ABSTRACT
The continued academic tension between qualitative and quantitative inquiry has continued unabated. Scholarship since the 1980s, to redefine both paradigms, attempt to bring balance and importance of the respective contribution of both research processes. This has resulted in an interesting shift for “ensuring structure, process and rigor” from the investigator’s actions during the course of the research, to the reader of the qualitative inquiry. The emphasis on Quantitative strategies implemented during the research process has been replaced by truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality implemented once a study is completed.
This essay argues that while reliability and validity remain appropriate concepts for attaining rigor in qualitative research the criterion used must not be borrowed from the Quantitative paradigm. Reference is primarily made to Guba 1981 to explain the alternatives. This essay argues for a clear recognition of the values of both the Qualitative and Quantitative processes showing that each offers a specific solution to research with each being judged on its own merit.
INTRODUCTION
In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge. Martyn Shuttleworth (2008). On its own, however, the definition though adequate is not sufficient in an effort to show the depth and richness of the Qualitative process. For this attention is paid to Bruce Berg (2001) who clearly articulated the following:
“Quality refers to the what, how, when, and where of a thing, its essence and ambience. Qualitative research thus refers to the meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and descriptions of things.”
The imperative, therefore, of this essay given Berg (2001) definition
NAME: Jepter Lorde
SUBJECT: Qualitative Research Methods
ABSTRACT
The continued academic tension between qualitative and quantitative inquiry has continued unabated. Scholarship since the 1980s, to redefine both paradigms, attempt to bring balance and importance of the respective contribution of both research processes. This has resulted in an interesting shift for “ensuring structure, process and rigor” from the investigator’s actions during the course of the research, to the reader of the qualitative inquiry. The emphasis on Quantitative strategies implemented during the research process has been replaced by truth value, applicability, consistency, and neutrality implemented once a study is completed.
This essay argues that while reliability and validity remain appropriate concepts for attaining rigor in qualitative research the criterion used must not be borrowed from the Quantitative paradigm. Reference is primarily made to Guba 1981 to explain the alternatives. This essay argues for a clear recognition of the values of both the Qualitative and Quantitative processes showing that each offers a specific solution to research with each being judged on its own merit.
INTRODUCTION
In the broadest sense of the word, the definition of research includes any gathering of data, information and facts for the advancement of knowledge. Martyn Shuttleworth (2008). On its own, however, the definition though adequate is not sufficient in an effort to show the depth and richness of the Qualitative process. For this attention is paid to Bruce Berg (2001) who clearly articulated the following:
“Quality refers to the what, how, when, and where of a thing, its essence and ambience. Qualitative research thus refers to the meanings, concepts, definitions, characteristics, metaphors, symbols, and descriptions of things.”
The imperative, therefore, of this essay given Berg (2001) definition
Cited: Babbie, Earl, “The Practice of Social Research”: Albany Wadsworth Publishing Company: 2003 Berg, Bruce L, “Qualitative Research Methods for the Social Sciences 4th Edition”: New Jersey: Pearson Publishing 2001 Bogdan R,. “Participant Observation in Organisational Settings”: Syracuse, N.Y Syracuse University Press 1972 Guba, Egon G. and Lincoln, Yvonna S. “Effective evaluation”: San Francisco Jossey-Bass Publishers 1981 Malhotra, K,. “Marketing Research, An Applied Orientation (6th ed.)”: New Jersey: Pearson, Prentice Hall 2010 Shuttleworth Martyn and Blakstad Oskar, "How to write a Research Paper": Lulu Enterprises Inc 2010 Weber, Robert, “Basic Content Analysis. 2nd ed”: Newbury Park, CA: Sage 1990