Characteristics,

Strengths and
Weaknesses, Kinds,
and
Importance of
Qualitative
Research
 Put a check (/) if the
given situation
describes a qualitative
research, cross (X) if
otherwise.
1. Carlos conducts a
study which focuses
on real-life situations
of working
students.
2. To solicit the opinion of the
participants in relation to the
challenges and difficulties
faced by struggling readers,
Justine has utilized an
objective type of
questionnaire.
3. In order to understand
the life of indigenous
people, Claire immerses
herself in their
community for certain
months.
4. In the data analysis of the
study, Michael modifies some
ideas that came from the
responses of the participants
because he believes that
these might affect the result of
the study.
5. Nathan conducted
his study through a
linear and cause and
effect relational
approach.
6. To ensure the reliability
of the result of the study,
Marco considered both
interview and observation
as his primary research
instruments.
7. To study the cases of
the COVID-19 survivors
in the province of
Bataan, Leandro utilized
200 samples.
8. Daniel uses
statistical formula to
analyze the data
gathered from the
participants.
9. Catherine carefully
observes the emerging
themes from the responses
she gathered from her
conducted interview to
answer her research
questions.
10. Leah employed a
discourse analysis
approach in order to extract
meaningful context from
the gathered documents.
 1. /
 2. X
 3. /
 4. X
 5. X
 6. /
 7. X
 8. X
 9. /
 10. /
Inside the thought balloon are
words associated with either
quantitative or qualitative
research. List five (5) words
each associated with
quantitative and qualitative
research.
Subjective specific
hypothesis generating predictive
Quantifiable holistic
Objective explanatory
hypothesis testing
non-quantifiable
 Words for quantitative research: (in no order)
1. specific
2. predictive
3. quantifiable
4. objective
5. Hypothesis testing
 Words for qualitative research: (in no order)
1. subjective
2. Hypothesis generating
3. holistic
4. explanatory
5. non-quantifiable
Characteristics of
Qualitative
Research
1. Qualitative research is naturalistic.
-A study to be conducted by the researcher
should be based on real-life situations.
Likewise, the researcher should also unfold
the study in a natural manner, that is, the
findings are derived from the analysis of
authentic data gathered from the
participants. Such a concept makes
qualitative research known for its non-
controlling characteristic.
2. Qualitative research is purposeful.
-In conducting a qualitative type of study,
the researcher should select the
participants in a purposive manner, that is,
they will be selected because they either
have easy access to the information needed
or simply have the knowledge to provide a
great deal of information needed to the
study. Hence, these participants are called
“information rich” in the context of
research.
This type of participant selection
will validate the concept that
qualitative study focuses on rich
insights regarding the
phenomenon rather than on
mere numerical data simply
obtained from surveys and
questionnaires.
3. Qualitative research is detailed.
-A thick description of gathered
data from the participants makes
this type of study a detailed one. It
is important that the researcher
should capture the direct quotations
of the responses of the participant/s
from the conducted interview or
observation.
4. Qualitative research requires engagement
and neutrality.
-Direct contact with the people, situation, and
phenomenon under investigation should be
established by the researcher. Immersing oneself
would enable the researcher to acquire personal
experiences and insights which are essential to better
understand the phenomenon. Further, the researcher
should also be neutral in the responses and
observations he/she may get while engaging with the
participant/s. The researcher should likewise show
openness, sensitivity, and respect.
5. Qualitative research follows an
inductive procedure.
-As the researcher immerses himself/herself
in the phenomenon under investigation,
specific details and data will be gathered
from the target participant/s. These data then
can be used to discover emerging patterns
and themes. Following an inductive
procedure, the researcher will start from
exploring the phenomenon and will end to
confirming findings of the works.
6. Qualitative research is viewed in a
holistic perspective.
-A study in a qualitative type cannot be
simply done in a linear and cause and
effect relationship approach. Rather, it
requires the researcher to view the
whole phenomenon under investigation
in a complex system, that is, different
variables can either cause or effect the
phenomenon.
 Strengths and
Weakness of
Qualitative Research
Strengths:
1. Qualitative research complements
quantitative data.
Interview and observation are the
common instruments used in the conduct
of a qualitative study. Such instruments
can provide qualitative data that can be
utilized as a support for any quantitative
data appearing in a study, hence, a more
reliable result will be ensured.
2. Qualitative research provides more detailed
information to explain complex issues.
-Since this type of research study requires the
researcher to immerse himself/herself in the
phenomenon under investigation, direct
experiences can be acquired. Similarly,
considering “information rich” participant/s, as
well as utilizing interview and observation as
qualitative research instruments, may enable
the researcher to gather more accurate data
needed in explaining a complex phenomenon.
3. Qualitative research is cost efficient. -
Small number of participants is usually
considered in qualitative research. Hence,
less resources will be needed to
accomplish the study. Likewise, interview
schedule and observation checklist as
qualitative research tools demand the
researcher to spend less resources unlike
questionnaires as a primary tool utilized
in quantitative research.
Weaknesses:
1. Qualitative research cannot generalize
the findings to the study population.
-The use of a small number of
participants in qualitative research may
result in limited responses. Thus, findings
of the study might not be possibly
generalized to a larger population.
Replication of the study is often
suggested.
2. Qualitative research is more difficult
to analyze.
-Unlike quantitative research which deals
with numeric data and can be interpreted
through statistical formula, qualitative
research presents non-numeric data which
are all based on the subjective responses of
the participants. If data are not critically
analyzed and carefully interpreted, results
may become biased and even less credible.
3. Qualitative research is time
consuming.
-Though qualitative research utilizes a small
number of participants, this, however,
demands the researcher to spend more time in
dealing and engaging with them. Similarly, the
analysis and interpretation phase of the study
also requires the researcher to take more time
in observing the emerging patterns and
themes derived from participants’ provided
data.
 Kinds of
Qualitative
Research
1. Phenomenological
This kind of qualitative research focuses on
subjective lived experiences of the participants
in order to understand phenomenon. Here, the
researcher is concerned with the feelings of the
participants regarding a particular event or
activity, hence, the uniqueness of their lived
situations can be described. Interview is the
common instrument used for its data collection
with the suggested sample size ranging from 5
to 25.
Examples:
A researcher aims to determine the
challenges and coping mechanisms
of senior high school working
students in the second district of
Bataan.
A researcher aims to explain the
lived experiences of the COVID-19
survivors in the province of Bataan.
2. Ethnographic
Itis a kind of qualitative research which
concentrates on the study of a group of people
in a particular environment. To characterize
behaviors, cultures, challenges, and possible
occurring themes, the researcher is required to
engage himself/herself with the participants
through immersion in an extended period of
time. Observation, along with the use of
interview and survey, is an essential instrument
for this type of study.
Examples:
A researcher seeks to determine
the cultural practices and
healthcare beliefs of the ethnic
group living in Bataan province.
A researcher seeks to characterize
the survival strategies of families in
an urban poor community.
3. Grounded Theory
 Thiskind of qualitative research intends to
explain a phenomenon through developing a
theory. In comparison with phenomenological
study that primarily describes lived experiences,
grounded theory aims to provide explanation
and theory behind those lived experiences.
Interview and supporting documents are the
commonly used data collection instrument for
its participants approximately ranging from 20
to 30 or until data achieve saturation.
Examples:
 A researcher attempts to
conceptualize the breast cancer
survivorship process among
Bataeños.
A researcher attempts to generate a
theory of defense mechanisms of
students who experience school
bullying.
4. Case Study
It is a qualitative research kind which
allows the researcher to have an intensive
analysis of the phenomenon. The aim of
this study is to accurately describe the
case through an in-depth examination of
a single person or single institution. With
this, thorough interview, observation, and
documentation are all utilized as multiple
data collection instruments.
Examples:
A researcher aims to explain the
causes of the reading difficulty of
a grade 5 struggling reader.
A researcher aims to describe the
language challenges of hearing-
impaired students in a SPED
class.
5. Historical
This qualitative research kind is
concerned with the identification,
evaluation, and synthesis of past event
data. Further, it aims to understand
present patterns and to anticipate future
choices through clearly relating the past
event data which are obtained from
sources such as documents, relics and
artifacts, and oral reports.
Examples:
A researcher attempts to explore
the nature and context of the
political leadership of Bataan
governors.
A researcher seeks to explore the
development in the courtship letter
writing style among Bataeños.
6. Narrative
 Lifeaccounts of individuals based on their personal
experiences are typically obtained and analyzed in the
conduct of this kind of qualitative research. The primary
objective of the study is to extract meaningful context
based on the documented experiences. Unlike
phenomenological research which focuses on describing
and explaining a phenomenon through the lived
experiences of the participants, narrative research focuses
merely on the nature of the story told by the participants.
Hence, phenomenological research may use narrative, but
narrative research does not necessarily need
phenomenological. Discourse analysis is one of the
commonly and widely employed approaches of narrative
research
Examples:
A researcher seeks to
characterize the struggles
faced by student-athletes.
A researcher seeks to describe
the daily teaching experiences
of millennial teachers in the
Schools Division of Bataan.
Importance of
Qualitative
Research
Qualitative research is known for
providing meaning to understand
an existing phenomenon. With
this, the perspectives,
expressions, and activities of the
participants play a vital role to
unveiling the local context across
different fields.
The development in any
fields such as in
education, business,
medical and health allied
services, etc. is made
possible by means of
qualitative research.
For example, the researcher may study
the experiences of individuals and
their access to health care by
determining their perspectives. These
solicited responses reflecting their
experiences, attitudes, and
circumstances may help the researcher
to understand the phenomenon,
hence, suggestions for improvement
and development can be sought.