PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
Quarter 3- Module 2: Qualitative Research and Its Importance in Daily Life
Learning Objectives:
After going through this module, you are expected to be able to:
1. describe the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses and kinds of qualitative research; and
2. Illustrate the importance of qualitative research across fields.
Lesson 1: The Value of Qualitative Research Its Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses and Kinds
I. Definition of Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research is a scientific method of observation to gather non-numerical data. It refers to
the meanings, concepts, characteristics, metaphors, symbols and description of phenomena, and not to
their counts or measures.
II. Purpose of Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research promotes a deep, holistic understanding of a particular phenomenon.
III. Characteristics of Qualitative Research
1. Human understanding and interpretation in data analysis
2. Active, powerful and forceful in data gathering and rephrasing interview questions
3. Multiple research approaches and methods that allows you to plan your study and being multi-method
research
4. Specificity to generalization on specific ideas will lead to generalizations or conclusions.
5. Contextualization - context or situation of individual’s life
6. Diversified data in real-life situations on collecting data in a natural setting
7. Abounds with words and visuals that presents people’s view in a picture, video, drawing or graphs.
8. Internal analysis on examining the data yielded by the internal traits of the subject persons.
IV. Strengths of Qualitative Research
1. It adopts a naturalistic approach to its subject matter.
2. Promotes a full understanding of human behavior/personality traits in their natural setting.
3. It is instrumental for positive societal changes.
4. It engenders respect for people’s individuality.
5. It’s a way of understanding & interpreting social interactions.
6. Increases researcher’s interests in the study.
7. Offers multiple ways of acquiring and examining knowledge about something.
V. Weaknesses of Qualitative Research
1. It involves a lot of researcher’s subjectivity in data analysis.
2. It is hard to know the validity/reliability of the data.
3. It is open-ended questions yield “data overload” that requires long-time analysis.
4. It is time-consuming.
5. It involves several processes; whose results greatly depend on the researcher’s views or interpretations.
VI. Kinds of Qualitative Research
1. Case Study - Long-time study of a person, group, organization or situation and an empirical inquiry that
investigates current phenomenon. Example: “Teenage Pregnancy in the Public High Schools”
2. Ethnography- a study of a particular cultural group. Example: “Cultural Awareness and Integration of
Peace Education in the Indigenous Peoples (IP) Communities”.
3. Phenomenology- “live-experienced” of a phenomenon. Example: “Life without Gadget”
4. Content and Discourse Analysis- Content Analysis- is a research technique that analyzes the modes of
communication such as letters, e-mails etc. Discourse Analysis- is the study of social life, understood
through analysis of language it includes face-to-face talk, non-verbal interaction, images and symbols.
Materials for Discourse Analysis include books, newspapers, periodicals, brochures and advertisements.
Example: “A Discourse Analysis on the Impact of Modern Technologies on Communication”
5. Historical Analysis- is a qualitative method where there is an examining of past events to draw
conclusions and make predictions about the future. Example: “The Impact of Ferdinand Marcos’ Speech”
6. Grounded Theory- takes place when there is a discovery of new theory which underlies your study at
the time of data collection and analysis. Example: “The Story Behind the Migration of Christians from
Visayas and Luzon to Mindanao”
7. Narrative Report - designed to present things or events that have happened in the past through a
logical progression of the relevant information. The main purpose of a narrative report is to present a
factual depiction of what has occurred. Example: “Vocabulary Building of Students through Proper Solid
Waste Management”
8. Biography- is the study of an individual’s life and struggles and how they reflect cultural themes of the
society. It deals with an interesting story found in documents and archival materials. It is concerned with
the reconstruction of life histories and the constitution of meaning based on biographical narratives and
documents.
Five common types of biography are (1) Scholarly Chronicles -focus on the historical portrayal of an
individual life. e.g. “Biography of Gloria M. Arroyo, the First Woman President of the Philippines” (2)
Intellectual Biography- narrative of a life through the conceptual analysis of the subject’s motives and
beliefs within the world of ideas. e.g. “Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal” (3) Life History Writing- recording
of life memories, experiences, whether one’s or another’s. e.g. “The Hardships of Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFW’s)”. (4) Memoir Biography- stylistic presentation of the biographer’s reflections and
insights in relation to the factual account of life. e.g. “The Experiences of Stranded Students in the COVID-
19 Pandemic” (5) Narrative Biography-a nonfiction account of life experiences of a person.
9. Action Research- is a classroom-based or school-based research seeks transformative change through
the process of taking action and doing research, which are linked together by critical reflection. This type of
research is commonly conducted by the teachers to give solutions to the existing problems to improve
students’ academic performance and positive attitudes.
Activity 1: Question and Answer
Directions: Answer the questions briefly. Write your answers on a piece of paper.
1. How will you use qualitative research in real life?
2. How do the strengths and weaknesses help us in writing the research proposal?
Activity 2: Assessment
Direction: Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. “A student really idolizes his English teacher who is very expert in grammar and literature. The former
wants to write a scholarly chronicle about the latter’s experiences including his family background, how he
achieved his success in life, his likes and dislikes, his achievements and struggles in life.” What type of
qualitative research should a student employ?
`a. Historical Research b. Discourse Analysis c. Biography d. Narrative Report
2. It is a qualitative research in which data related to the past events are systematically collected and
evaluated to describe potential causes, effects, or trends related to those events.
a. Historical Research b. Discourse Analysis c. Biography d. Narrative Report
3. All of the following are strengths of qualitative research EXCEPT
a. Explores sensitive issues b. Captures diversity of experiences and perceptions
c. Allows participants to freely exchange ideas d. Proves a certain theory or principle
4. Which of the following is one of the weaknesses of a qualitative research?
a. Results are limited as they provide less elaboration of human perceptions.
b. Data created through qualitative research are always accepted.
c. Data analysis involving numerical data is difficult.
d. There is a limited review of related literature or in-depth information about the topic.
5. Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the importance of qualitative research in daily life?
a. Qualitative unveils individual’s perception, feelings and attitudes about a certain phenomenon.
b. Qualitative research allows the researcher to immerse in the community where the participants
live.
c. Qualitative research stimulates people’s interdependence or interpersonal relationship.
d. Qualitative research lets the researcher to validate the previously constructed theory or
principle.
6. It is the most familiar and applicable type of qualitative research which refers to the investigation of a
culture through an in-depth study of the members of the cultural society
a. Ethnography b. Phenomenology c. Grounded Theory d. Case Study
7. It is primarily used to generate theory through relevant information taken from very reliable sources and
its focus is theory development.
a. Ethnography b. Phenomenology c. Grounded Theory d. Case Study
8. Which of the following types of qualitative research is designed to focus on the commonality of a “lived
experience” with a particular group and its aim is to determine what an experience means for the persons
who have had the experience of living in a certain community which is the subject of the research?
a. Ethnography b. Phenomenology c. Grounded Theory d. Case Study
9. It is an exploration of a “bounded system” over time through detailed, in-depth data collection involving
multiple sources of information rich in interesting stories.
a. Ethnography b. Phenomenology c. Grounded Theory d. Case Study
10. It is a qualitative research which analyzes the language “beyond the sentence”. It is the study of the
ways in which language is used by the people, both written and spoken contexts.
a. Historical Research b. Discourse Analysis c. Biography d. Narrative Report
Activity 3: Complete the table
On the table below, draft your proposed topics for a research paper. The first column is for the
topic, second for the purpose and third for the type of qualitative research to be used. Give five topics.
Topic Purpose Type of Qualitative Research
Example: Post Traumatic To determine the experiences of Phenomenological
Experiences of the COVID-19 those survivors in the COVID-19
Survivors phenomena.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lesson 2: The Importance of Qualitative Research Across Fields of Inquiry
Research in Different Areas of Knowledge
Research studies happen in any field of knowledge: Anthropology, Business, Communication,
Education, Engineering, Law and Nursing.
A. Basic Research Approaches in a Specific Area of Discipline
1. Scientific or Positive Approach
Deals with empirical data instead of personal views, feelings or attitudes.
Allows control of variables or factors affecting the study (Laursen 2010).
Express and records findings quantitatively.
Presents structured interviews, questionnaires and observational checklists.
2. Naturalistic Approach
A people-oriented approach focusing on discovering the real concept or meaning behind people’s
lifestyles and social relations.
Present things qualitatively through verbal language. Using words as unit of analysis.
Bases determining universal social values to define ethical and unethical that society ought to
know, not only for the benefit of individual and community but also for the satisfaction of man’s
quest for knowledge.” (Sarandakos 2013; Ransome 2013)
Example: Talking to ethnic groups or people with other culture in a natural setting. In this case, the
researcher uses unstructured interviews and the participants’ answer/response is not scripted.
3. Triangulation/ Mixed Method
Allows a combination or a mixture of research designs, data collection and data analysis techniques.
Enhance the validity and reliability of qualitative research design.
Enhances accuracy of interpretation.
Has an opportunity to view every angle of the research from different perspectives.
(3) Main Methods of Data Collection
a. Interactive interviewing- people asked to verbally described their experiences of phenomenon.
b. Written descriptions by participant- people asked to write descriptions of their experiences of
phenomenon.
c. Observation- descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.
In the field of Humanities, researchers ought to focus not to man’s social life but instead studies its
meanings, significance and visualizations of man’s experiences in the field of Fine Arts, Literature, Music,
Drama, Dance and other artistically inclined subjects.
Humanistic Categories
1. Literature and Art Criticism – Focus on language depends on interpretative and reflective thinking.
2. Philosophical Research – The focus of inquiry is on knowledge and principles of being and on the
manner human beings conduct themselves on Earth.
3. Historical Research Investigation – centers on events and ideas that took place in man’s life at a
particular period.
II. Hard Sciences versus Soft Sciences
Quantitative Research Qualitative Research
Hard Sciences Soft Sciences
Studies natural data driven phenomenon. Studies human behavior in a scientific manner.
Objective Subjective
Tests Theory Develops Theory
Numbers Words
Cause and Effect Relationship Knowing meaning & discovery
Statistical Analysis and Generalizations Researcher’s interpretation
Examples: Examples:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Astronomy, Earth Sociology, Psychology, Political Science,
Science Economics, Anthropology, History
Qualitative and Quantitative Research can go together in a research approach.
There is a symbiotic relationship between these two research methods, in which they reinforce or
strengthen each other.
Moreover, any form of knowledge, factual or opinionated and any statistical or verbal expression of
this knowledge are deduced from human experience that is subjective. (Hollway 2013; Letherby
2013)
Activity 4: Complete the table
Given the following Research topics, name the specific subject on each topic and give the importance on
researching such topic in a person’s day to day life. The first one is done for you.
1. Nutrient Contents of Spices and Herbs 6. SHS Learners Study Habits
2. Juan dela Cruz: A Filipino Inventor 7. Medicinal Elements of Lemon Leaves
3. Parents Views About The New Normal Education 8. History Development of Asian Novels
4. Body Parts of a Korean Car 9. Higa-onon Wedding Rites
5. Bacteria in a Food 10. The Nature of Corona Virus Disease
Topics Subject Importance of Research
1 Spices and Herbs To know its nutrient content use as medicine
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Activity 5: True or False
Directions: Read the following statements. Answer TRUE if the statement is true, FALSE if you think it is
not.
1. Research studies what happens in any field of knowledge.
2. Scientific approach expresses and records your findings qualitatively.
3. Triangulation or mixed method enhances accuracy and interpretation.
4. Naturalistic approach is people oriented.
5. A qualitative research is exclusive to both hard and soft sciences.
6. Soft science studies human behavior in a scientific manner.
7. The scientific approach gives stress to measurable and observable facts instead of personal views,
feelings, or attitudes.
8. All research types apply to all data collecting techniques.
9. Reasons happens in just one field of knowledge.
10. Past events in a person’s life are the focus of triangulation
