Qualitative Research Methods

What are qualitative research methods?

• These are methods that often yield what is typically referred to as “soft
data” or descriptive data

• This is in contrast to use of questionnaire which result in quantitative

data

• Qualitative methods emphasize prose data (words)

• Qualitative methods are typically used to collect data relating to views,

opinions, attitudes, beliefs and practices of study participants

• Qualitative methods are flexible and interactive

 Examples of qualitative methods
• Focus group discussion
• Key informant interview
• In-depth interview
• Observation
 Focus group discussion
• This consists of a group of persons who have
been invited to discuss a particular issue that
is of interest to an investigator

• FGD is typically used to collect information

relating to beliefs, opinion and attitudes of
study participants
 How is FGD conducted?
• Recruitment: This is usually done long before the discussion
takes place: a purposive method of recruitment is adopted

• Size: Ideally an FGD should consist of between 6-10 persons;

if the number is smaller the discussion will turn into a group
interview

• If the group is larger it would not allow everyone to make

meaningful contribution; if a discussant does not have ample
chance to contribute then the group may be fragmented
 FGD (cont)
• Timing: the discussion should not exceed two hours;
when discussion lasts longer it becomes cumbersome

• Instrument for data collection: A guide must be

developed to moderate the discussion; the guide
should contain not more than ten questions which must
be framed in an open-ended fashion

• The use of open-ended questioning format is preferred

to closed-ended format which inhibits full discussion
 Sample FGD guide on VCT project among
young person
Introduction

Greetings. My name is___________________ and I am from the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. We
have invited you all to discuss use of VCT among young persons this area. This discussion is important because it will deepen our
understating of the problem. It would also help in developing ideas that will be used to develop interventions. Responses to all
questions will be kept confidential. Names are not required. We shall be grateful if you are honest in answering them.

1. What are some of the problems affecting young persons in this area?

2. What have you heard about HIV/AIDS?

3. What are the ways of preventing further spread of the HIV/AIDS?

• Probe if not mention VCT

4. Let us discuss about VCT, have you heard about VCT? What are the sources of information?

5. What are its benefits? What are the problems associated with it?

6. What are the main reasons why young people do not use VCT services? How can these be solved? What do you think needs to be done to motivate
you to use VCT?

Appreciation
 FGD (cont)
• Personnel: Three persons are involved in
conducting the discussion; these are the
• The moderator
• The recorder
• The observer

• The role of the moderator is to guide the

discussion in such a way that the goals of the
research is accomplished
 FGD (cont)
• The moderator needs good communication skills to
ensure that all participants make meaningful
contributions to the discussion
• Recorder documents discussion, operates tape
recorder used during discussion
• Observer notes the non-verbal cues and group
dynamics
• Venue: should be conducive with face-to-face sitting
arrangements
 Analysis of FGD data
• The discussion is the data

• The discussion should be recorded on audio-tape

(audio recording is preferred because it helps
investigator capture all issues discussed)

• The tape should be played and the recorder

transcribes the data

• The report is then written based on themes that

emerge from the discussion
 Merits of FGD data
• It provides opportunity for respondents to
express their perspectives or world view

• Gives insight into reasons why people behave

the way they do

• Provides rich data that is required to plan

appropriate interventions
 Limitations
• FGD data provide reasons for behavior but not
prevalence or extent to which people engage
in a particular behavior

• May yield data that are subjective since

sample is not scientifically selected

• Can be very difficult to conduct

 Key informant interview
• This is the type of interview is conducted with someone
that is knowledgeable about a group of people

• It is one of the methods used to conduct community

diagnosis

• The informant is identified through a thorough

understanding of the community

• He/she is contacted because of the perception that he/she

possess a store of information that the investigator can tap
into
 How KII is conducted
• The interviewer uses a guide to conduct interview

• A suitable date and time is chosen for the

interview; this should be at the convenience of
the informant

• Questions are framed in an open-ended fashion

that provide opportunity for respondent to
express his/her mind
 Merits
• Yield rich data that provides insight on a
particular issue

• Offers opportunity for the informant to

express his worldview

• Provides rich data for planning appropriate

intervention
 Limitations
• The data may be the opinion of one person

• Takes too long to complete

• Do not measure frequency of the issue or

event under study

• Do not measure actual but reported behavior

 In-depth Interview
• Necessary when the investigator is interested
in collecting information from someone
because of a peculiar, unique, characteristic or
experience (e.g. a survivor of rape, someone
living with HIV, infertile couple)

• The interview will provide insights into the

unique experience of the respondent
 How IDI is conducted
• The interviewer use a guide

• A suitable date and time is chosen for the interview;

this should be at the convenience of the interviewee

• Questions are framed in an open-ended fashion that

provide opportunity for interviewee to narrate
experience on the unique experience that is of
interest to researcher
 Merits of IDI
• Yield rich data that provides insight on the
experience of the interviewee

• Offers opportunity for the interviewee to

narrate experience & receive intervention

• Provides rich data for planning appropriate

intervention
 Limitations of the IDI
• Raises ethical issues on need for interview if
intervention will not be provided

• May bring back previous unpleasant experiences of

interviewee

• Takes a long time to complete

• They do not measure frequency of the issue or event

under study
 Observation
• Observation involves systematically watching
people, events & recording them in their natural
environment

• There are two types of observation:

1. Unstructured
a) Participant
b) Mystery client technique

2. Structured
 Participant observation
• This is done when the investigator actually participates in
the activities on which data are being collected

• The investigator’s participation in unobtrusive i.e. he/she

does not alter the activities; instead he is in the
background

• It is a method that allows the investigator access into the

daily lives of the group he/she wants to investigate

• The investigator must have determined ahead of time

what he/she wants to observe
 Merits
• It provides opportunity to understand processes, events,
norms and social context

• Helps provide rich data on a particular practice such as

hygiene practices, circumcision

• Helps to identify disconnection between what

respondents report that they do and what they actually
do

• It is a flexible method of data collection over which

investigator has control
 Limitations
• May yield data that is subjective; people sometimes see
what they want to see

• Takes a long time to complete; typically trust must be

developed before such a method can be applied

• Raises ethical issues (should participants know that

they are being observed?)

• Will this information affects behavior of participants?

 Mystery client technique
• This is a type of observation in which the observer pose as a
client

• This method is widely used in reproductive health research in

which provider/client interactions are observed

• The clients do not reveal to the provider that they are

participating in a research

• After the observation, clients are de-briefed by the researcher

 Merits
• Minimizes the problem of bias and normative behavior
encountered in structured observation

• Information collected may be used to plan appropriate

intervention

• May be the only method of collecting reliable information

on sensitive issues e.g.
-Use of condoms by sex workers
-Quality of services provided by health workers
 Limitations
• Raises ethical issues of application of
deception in research

• Is it possible for a mystery client to become

actual client?

• How can one verify claims of mystery client?

 Structured observation
• This is a type of observation in which both the
observed and observer are aware that they are
participating in a study

• Usually a check-list is developed & used to ensure

that the events being observed are recorded
systematically
 Merits
• Data are collected & recorded systematically
• Data collected can be quantified & expressed
in percentages
 Limitations
• There is chance of bias in reporting as
behavior may be modified if someone knows
that he/she is being observed
 Methods of data collation & reporting
• All discussions & interviews should be recorded on audio-
tapes

• Used audio-tapes should be labeled for identification

• Transcription of recorded discussion & interview are required

• Read texts of transcription to identify themes

• Write report using prose

• Use verbatim quotations judiciously to capture worldview of

participants
 Conclusion
• Qualitative methods yield data described in prose and not in
figures

• They are best used as complementary to quantitative method

of data collection

• Qualitative methods are used to collect data that explain why

people behave the way they do

• Qualitative methods are flexible and interactive

Types of analysis in Qualitative analysis
• Qualitative content analysis
• Narrative analysis
• Discourse analysis
• Ground theory
• THEMATIC analysis
• Interpretive phenomenological analysis
 Types of Quantitative research
• Questionnaire
• Survey
• Record review, registry (cancer)
• Hospital data, health data
• Census/vital statistics
Appreciation