Definition and Characteristics of Qualitative Research by Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Department of Education, Hazara University, Pakistan

1. Qualitative Research:
Definition and
Characteristics
By
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan,
Department of Education,
Hazara University, Mansehra

2. Research: Quantitative/Qualitative
• Research: Systematic/Scientific process of exploring possible
answers to our questions regarding natural and social
phenomena.
• Origin of research in the ‘natural’ sciences: Physics, chemistry,
biology.
• Focus: Quantification, measurements, statistical analysis,
calculations (Observations/Experimentation)

3. Research: Quantitative/Qualitative
• Origin of research in the ‘natural’
sciences: Physics, chemistry, biology
• Focus:
• Quantification, measurements,
statistical analysis, calculations,
replicability, generalization.
• Observations/Experimentation/
Manipulation
• How much? How many?
• Application of the scientific method
in ‘social’ sciences: Sociology,
Psychology, Education
• Difficulties in quantification of social
phenomena, human behaviour.
• Focus:
Understanding/Interpretation/
Contextuality/Naturalistic
• Why? How?

4. Characteristic of Qualitative Research
• Naturalistic
• Focus on contextual
understanding/Detailed description of
the research settings
• Development of theory rather than
testing hypotheses
• Inductive
• Focus on ends rather than means
• Flexible/evolving research designs
• Usually begins with data rather than theory
• Long-term personal involvement of the
researcher in the field
• Smaller/purposive samples
• Textual (non-numerical data) focus
• Validity/Reliability in broader sense