Lesson 4

IMPORTANCE OF AND STEPS IN DOING

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, I can:
 Illustrate the importance of qualitative research across fields;
 Decide on suitable qualitative research in different areas of interest; and
 Formulate a topic for qualitative research in a chosen field of interest.

MOTIVATE
Now that you have already learned the nature, characteristics,
and the different approaches to qualitative research, let’s now find
out the importance of conducting qualitative research in
the different fields of study.

In what way do you think qualitative research will be beneficial to you?

ORGANIZE
In educational research, qualitative research is essential in
generating tentative explanations and describing events
and phenomena. It also helps in understanding local context
and studying processes and theories in education.

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 Qualitative research methods are becoming popular in
medical and allied health fields nowadays. While it is still
debatable how qualitative research can help address clinical
questions, there is wealth of knowledge that can be gained using the
data provided by qualitative approaches. For example, qualitative
research may be able to explain, or at least capture, the
perspectives of the clients on healthcare which will enable
healthcare providers to understand the clients’ attitude in healthcare
services. Additionally, the outcomes of qualitative studies can give a
better understanding of the healthcare providers’ and patients’
experiences which can further improve healthcare delivery.

In the behavioral and social sciences, qualitative research

involves the understanding of attitudes and behavior of groups of
people. Ultimately, qualitative approaches in these fields of
study can solicit understanding and meaning to the complex human
experiences and processes.

Qualitative research is also important in natural sciences. It is

basically qualitative data that are gathered first in any scientific
investigation through observation. From these
observations, you can infer predictions as basis for interpretations.

You are now ready to conduct qualitative research. But before that,
let’s find out the steps in qualitative research. Fraenkel and Wallen
(2010) enumerated the following steps:

1. Identification of the phenomenon to be studied.

The first task of a research who will use qualitative
methods is to identify the phenomenon to be studied. The Merriam
– Webster dictionary defines phenomenon as “something (such
as interesting fact or event) that can be observed and studied and
that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully.”
Tardiness and bullying among students are examples of
phenomena.

2. Identification of the participants in the study.

The participants of the study are to be observed or
interviewed by the researcher. The sample is usually selected
purposively.

3. Generation of hypothesis
In a qualitative research, hypothesis is not usually
formulated at the beginning of the study. Hypothesis emerges
from the data collected. This can be discarded, modified, or
refined as the study progresses.

4. Data Collection
Manipulation of data is not observed in qualitative
research. Researcher studies the participants in their setting as
they are. The collection of data is a continuous process until data
is sufficient, and relevant information is obtained.

5. Data Analysis
Inductive reasoning is used in the collected data. While
some analysis involves numbers, only simple statistics such as
mean or percentage can be used in qualitative research. Data
analysis in qualitative research involves more of descriptions.

6. Interpretations and conclusions

This is the last step in qualitative research. Interpretation is
crucial in this process and this is done continuously all throughout
the study.

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
 In this lesson, you have learned the importance of qualitative
research applied in various disciplines. You also studied
the steps in qualitative research especially the first step and
that is to identify and choose a topic for research. The lesson
also gives you the experience to formulate your own topic for
qualitative research.

VALIDATE
E
Read the passage below and answer the guide questions that
follow.

Jan Michael is interested in classical music. Moreover, he is fond of

the composers behind this music. He has studied the life stories of
Beethoven and Mozart. In his research, he also made a
comparison of the two composers in terms of family background,
hobbies, compositions, and inspirations for their
compositions.

Guide Questions:

1. What is the field of interest of Jan Michael?

_ Jan michael is interested in all classical music. and
he also made a comparison of the two composers in
terms of family background, hobbies and
etc.____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
__

2. What do you think is the topic he decided to conduct qualitative

research?
_ Qualitative research involves asking participants
about their experiences of things that happen in their
lives.__________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
____

3. Why is formulation of the topic important in any qualitative research?

There are several benefits of formulating a research
problems. A research problems help you formulate
that
sequence. ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
___________

4. What should be considered in identifying the topic of research?

 is__ brainstorm for ideas

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1
 choose a topic that will enable you to read and understand the
literature

 ensure that the topic is manageable and that material available

 make a list of key words

 be flexible

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________

ENGAGE
Your school principal is alarmed on the dwindling attendance
of the students in coming to school. As a guidance counselor, you
are requested to investigate the cause of this problem. On
your initial investigations, you found out that one possible cause
of this problem is rampant use of computer applications such as
social networking sites and online games. Your task now is to
survey and come up with a report on the possible effects of computer
applications like social networking sites and online
games on the attitude of students toward school attendance. Your
report should be well-written, the data are presented in a table or
graph, and possible recommendations are suggested to
minimize the
(You can have the space provided below for your report, data in graph
and recommendations).

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MY TREASURE

References:

Avila, Ruel. “DIWA Senior High School Series: Practical Research 1”, Makati City,
DIWA Learning Systems, Inc., 2016, 124 pages
Fong, Stella Eloisa. “Practical Research 1”, Quezon City, Vibal Group, Inc., 2016,

158 pages
Barraceros, Esther L. “Practical Research 1”, Quezon City, Rex Book Store, Inc.,

2016, 300 pages

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1