Qualitative research is exploratory and understanding-oriented, with a focus on participants' experiences. It uses a small number of individuals and collects text and image data, which is then analyzed through description and identification of themes to develop the larger meaning of findings in a flexible and reflexive manner. The research problem is generally broad and justified through a literature review, while protocols emerge during data collection and analysis interprets data to describe, analyze, and find themes.

1. CHARACTERISTICS
OF QUALITATIVE
RESEARCH
RESEARCH METHODS
6 STEPS
STEP #1
Exploratory & understanding-oriented
IDENTIFYING A RESEARCH PROBLEM
STEP #2
it has a minor role
It a justification for the research problem
REVIEWING THE LITERATURE
STEP #3
It has to be general & broad
it has to be based on participants' experiences
SELECTING PARTICIPANTS/SAMPLE
STEP #4
Protocols shall emerge
Text & image data shall be collected
It has a small number of individuals
COLLECTING DATA
STEP #5
It is a text analysis
Text Analysis has to describe, analyze & develop
themes
Larger meaning of findings
ANALYZING & INTERPRETING DATA
CREATED BY TARIQ AL-BASHA
STEP #6
It has to be flexible & emerging
It has to be reflexive & biased
REPORTING & EVALUATING RESEARCH