Title: Qualitative Research: Real
Life Experiments
Throughout my academic journey,
I’ve completed two quantitative methods
courses, also known as management science and/or operations research courses. The use of Excel solver, regression analysis,
linear programming, and the various modeling techniques were very useful in
finding solutions to complex problems and scenarios.
In addition to quantitative, the
emerging method known as qualitative
research is an effective and useful way to uncover hidden truths about complex
problems as well. Marie Hoepfl’s
article, Choosing Qualitative Research: A
Primer for Technology Education Researchers defines qualitative research,
as “any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of
statistical procedures or other means of quantification.” She also said, “with qualitative research,
the researcher seeks to observe and
interpret meanings in context.”
I like her statement, "observe and interpret." One of the premier
benefits of qualitative research is being exposed to a number of deep and rich
insights from professionals, researchers, and a vast array of personal
experiences. Where quantitative
research provides scientific results; qualitative research provides real-time,
front row seats to life lived by people from all different backgrounds. You can have all the raw data and results a
research experiment can offer; however, it will never provide the level of access
that an invitation to someone’s life can impart. Hoepfl discussed this truth when she
elaborated on the characteristics of qualitative research. She said, “Naturalistic (qualitative)
researchers are asking participants to “grant access to their lives, their
minds, and their emotions.”
When developing and presenting the “access
to people’s lives,” researchers must maintain the following four elements to be
accepted as “trustworthy.” They are:
Credibility: is the information rich; what are the researchers abilities?
Transferability: is the original situation similar to the transferred situation?
Dependability: does the measurement study remain stable over time?
Confirmability: realizing the information will be presented in a subjective manner?
When stories are presented with these
elements they provide coherence, consensus, and instrumental utility to the
data and allow the readers to understand and ultimately embrace the truths
uncovered by qualitative research.
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment