Qualitative Research Methods
Question 1 Compare and contrast the following qualitative research methods: case study, phenomenological, and grounded theory. Synthesize the findings and determine which is best suited to a study on your potential dissertation topic. Analyze the issues associated with sample selection, validity, and bias in such a study.
Qualitative Research Methods
Introduction
It is common for researchers to compare qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods originate from positivist and post- positivist research paradigms. Also, the methods objectively examine statistical data to determine cause and affect and often use generalizable data. There are various methods used in quantitative research such as surveys, experiments, statistical analysis, and numerical modeling (Myers 1997; Creswell 2003). Therefore, such a researcher gains knowledge through the use of hypotheses, measurement, and observation.
In contrast, the focus of qualitative research methods is on relativistic and constructivist ontology that suggest a lack of objective reality (Lythcott & Duschl, 1990). In some ways, participants construct realities by imposing their experiences on social and cultural phenomena. There are five types of qualitative research methods: case study, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and narrative research. These methods allow researchers to gather an in-depth understanding of social and cultural phenomena using inquiry tactics to determine the why, when, where, what, and how of the study. The qualitative inquiry is subject to the participant’s interpretations of the occurrences through observation and in-depth interviews.
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast three of the five qualitative research methods: case study, phenomenological, and grounded theory. According to Merriam (1998), the research methods are similar in their quest for understanding and meaning, data collection and analysis, the use of
Qualitative Research Methods
Introduction
It is common for researchers to compare qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods originate from positivist and post- positivist research paradigms. Also, the methods objectively examine statistical data to determine cause and affect and often use generalizable data. There are various methods used in quantitative research such as surveys, experiments, statistical analysis, and numerical modeling (Myers 1997; Creswell 2003). Therefore, such a researcher gains knowledge through the use of hypotheses, measurement, and observation.
In contrast, the focus of qualitative research methods is on relativistic and constructivist ontology that suggest a lack of objective reality (Lythcott & Duschl, 1990). In some ways, participants construct realities by imposing their experiences on social and cultural phenomena. There are five types of qualitative research methods: case study, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and narrative research. These methods allow researchers to gather an in-depth understanding of social and cultural phenomena using inquiry tactics to determine the why, when, where, what, and how of the study. The qualitative inquiry is subject to the participant’s interpretations of the occurrences through observation and in-depth interviews.
The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast three of the five qualitative research methods: case study, phenomenological, and grounded theory. According to Merriam (1998), the research methods are similar in their quest for understanding and meaning, data collection and analysis, the use of
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