Practical Research 1

Quarter 1 – Module 2:
Characteristics and Importance of Qualitative Research
Week 3

Introduction
What makes human race distinct from each other, specifically on its uniqueness of
traits, similarities and differences? In a way, qualitative research can respond to such
questions. According to Silverman (2013); Litchman (2013); Walliman (2014); and Suter
(2012), qualitative research is an act of inquiry or investigation of real-life events. It is
concerned with own experiences of a life event, and the aim is to interpret what has been said
in order to explain why it is said. This is called natural setting.
Qualitative research is important practically because most things cannot just be
quantified: they need to be described. Appreciating the nature of life and experience is vital
than simply counting things .We need to understand the quality of some things in order for
them to have meaning.

This module will assist you in understanding:

Lesson 1 The Value of Qualitative Research

Its Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses and Kinds
Lesson 2 The Importance of Qualitative Research Across Fields of Inquiry

Learning Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses and kinds of

qualitative research; and
2. Illustrate the importance of qualitative research across fields.

Lesson The Value of Qualitative Research

1 Its Characteristics, Strengths,
Weaknesses and Kinds
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 The general purpose of qualitative research is to develop concepts which help you to
understand social phenomena in, wherever possible, natural rather than experimental settings,
to gain an understanding of the experiences, perceptions and/or behaviors of individuals, and
the meanings attached to them. The effective applications of qualitative methods to other
disciplines, including health and education research have expanded. This module outlines the
nature and potential value of qualitative research features its various parameters.

In the previous module, you learned the nature of inquiry and research. Inquiry and
research encourage high levels of critical thinking in order to attain appropriate methods and
resources .As a researcher you have to follow the different processes in research equipped
with the etiquettes in conducting your study. Those samples of research in areas of interest
will help you guide to choose you topic or research problem.

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.

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 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 Research2

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”

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 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 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 is commonly conducted by the teachers to give solutions
to the existing problems to improve students’ academic performance and positive
attitudes.

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 Activity 1: Explain the concepts you have learned by answering the following questions.

1. What comes to your mind when you hear qualitative research?

______________________________________________________________
2. Pretend you are the subject of a phenomenological study, how will the researcher obtain data
from you?

3. Name the type of qualitative research best suited for the following topics.
Grade 11 Science Textbook _ _____________
Filipino COVID-19 Front liners in Europe ______________________ __________
Travails of SHS Graduates in Public Schools ___________
The Ifugao Wedding Practices __________
Relatives of COVID-19 Victims_ __________

Discussion of Activity 1
You just learned the valuable aspects of qualitative research.

1. Can you recognize the nature of qualitative research; its kinds, characteristics,
strengths, and weaknesses? Kindly provide your brief explanation.

2. How do the strengths and weaknesses help us in writing the research proposal

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ACTIVITY 2: 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 Experiences To determine the Phenomenological
of the COVID-19 Survivors experiences of those
survivors in the COVID-
19 phenomena.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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Activity 3: Question and Answer: Answer the questions briefly. Write your answers on the
space provided.
1. How will you use qualitative research in real life?

2. What are the kinds of qualitative research?

____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
________________

Activity 4
Contemplate on the matters you see in your surroundings, your house, appliances and
gadgets, school, your friends, etc. Ponder over these things, think of a good topic you can
research on qualitatively. Write a short descriptive paragraph on your chosen topic applying
what you have learned about qualitative research. Write in a separate sheet of paper.

Activity 5:
Choose two kinds of qualitative research and find one example of actual research
studies/articles for each. Make a summary for each study and explain why it belongs to that
type of qualitative research.

Sample Article: Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines

The issue of teenage pregnancy is widespread in various parts of the country.

Today, we face the painful reality that at a very young age, most young people
have children of their own.

During the World Population Day Forum held in Quezon City last July 2019, the
Commission on Population (Popcom) raised concerns about early and unplanned
pregnancies by citing that around 500 teenage girls have given birth in the
country every day as more adolescents engage in premarital sex. Popcom said
some 196,000 Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 19 years old get pregnant
each year.

In the Philippines, according to the 2013 National Demographic and Health

Survey (NDHS) and the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study
(YAFSS), the number of women aged 15-19 who have begun childbearing
increased from eight percent in 2003 to 10 percent in 2013.

Summary: The rising teenage pregnancy rate in the Philippines has contributed to the
country's population crisis.
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a g e study belongs to a case study type of qualitative research as it explores a case
through a detailed, data collection which involves sources of information within the
natural setting.
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Assessment: Direction: Write the letter of your correct answer in your answer sheet.
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 c. Grounded Theory
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 b. Phenomenology 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 c. Grounded Theory
b. Phenomenology 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 c. Grounded Theory
b. Phenomenology 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 c. Grounded Theory
b. Phenomenology 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

Direction: Write True if the statement is true, otherwise, false.

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.

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 Lesson The Importance of Qualitative
2 Research Across Fields of Inquiry

Qualitative research is an emerging area of inquiry that graces through disciplines and
subject matter. However it's also essential to recognize that qualitative research is a method
generally used in the social sciences searching social interactions, schemes and processes. It
delivers a detailed appreciation of the ways people come to understand and achieve their
daily life in particular situations.

In the previous lesson, you learned to describe the nature and characteristics of
qualitative research with its kinds, strength and weaknesses. Qualitative research is capable to
give rich information about the respondents, be it humans or animals. Despite having such
strength, its weakness is perceived on its approach being not applicable to some research
objectives. The kinds of qualitative research will help you discover facts and information
about the object of your interest and working with others. The lessons you had learned will
guide you to appreciate 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

Scientific or Positive Approach

 Deals with empirical data instead of personal views, feelings or attitudes. control of
variables.
 Allows factors affecting the study (Laursen 2010).
 Express and records findings quantitatively.
 Presents structured interviews, questionnaires and observational checklists.

1. 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.

2. Triangulation/ Mixed Method

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  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 it’s 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 Studies human behavior in a
phenomenon. scientific manner.
Objective Subjective
Tests Theory Develops Theory
Numbers Words
Cause and Effect Relationship Knowing meaning & discovery
Statistical Analysis and Researcher’s interpretation
Generalizations
Examples: Examples:
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science,
Astronomy, Earth Science Economics, Anthropology, History

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  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 1: Question and Answer

Directions: Answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Write your answers in a space provided.

1. What are the three types of approach to basic research? Describe each type.

2. How do you differentiate soft sciences from hard sciences?

Activity 2: 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

2. Juan dela Cruz: A Filipino Inventor
3. Parents Views About The New Normal Education
4. Body Parts of a Korean Car
5. Bacteria in a Food
6. SHS Learners Study Habits
7. Medicinal Elements of Lemon Leaves
8. History Development of Asian Novels
9. Higa-onon Wedding Rites
10. The Nature of Corona Virus Disease

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 Topics Subject Importance of the Research
1 Spices and Herbs To know its nutrient content use as medicine
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Activity 3: As a continuation on Lesson 1 of this Module from the table you have drawn which
listed your own three topics for a qualitative research, purpose and type to use, add a fourth column
as what approach of research you will use, and the fifth column your choice of data collection.
Copy your answers from the previous table to complete column 1 to 3.

Topic Purpose Type of Research Data Collection

Qualitative Approach Choice
Research

Sample:
Post To determine the Triangulation or Written
Traumatic experiences of Phenomenological mixed description/
Experiences of those survivors in Interview
the COVID-19 the COVID-19
Survivors phenomena.

1.

2.

3.

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Activity 4: You just learned the importance of qualitative research across fields of inquiry.
1. Can you figure out the importance of qualitative research? Organize your ideas by
presenting three important functions of qualitative research.

2. How do you inquire data in a certain field of study? Write your top three methods
when collecting data and describe each.

Activity 5: What are your views to the qualitative research across fields of inquiry? Identify
possible contribution of research in the given fields below by providing specific topic you can
relate and work on that particular field or branch of knowledge.

Health: Through qualitative research, we will be able to understand the causes and effects of
Covid-19 to people’s mental and physical health.

1. Social:_
2. Economical:
3. Political:

Activity 6: Ask somebody whom you know has already done a research work or is
currently conducting a research study. Ask him the details of his study and tabulate the results
from your interview with him.

1. Title
2. Method of Research ( data gathering and data analysis)
3. Subject Area or areas of interest where the study belongs
4. The importance of the research work.

Assessment: 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.

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 REFERENCES

Abdullah, S.N. (2018) .Practical Research 1: Qualitative Research [PowerPoint

slides].Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu./ppt

Baraceros, E.L. (2016).Practical Research 1. Ist ed. Rex Book Store. Manila Buenseco,

D.B, Dacanay, D.E., Manalo, G.A. (2016).Department of Education

Practical Research 1. Teachers Guide .Ist ed. Lexicon Press, Inc. Pasig City.

Calmorin, L.P. (2016).Research and Thesis Writing with Statistics and Computer
Application. Rev.ed.Rex Book Store

Cristobal, A.P., Jr, & Cristobal, M.D. (2016). Practical Research 1 for Senior High School.
Ist ed.C & E Publishing Inc. Quezon City.

Hollway, W. (2013).Doing Qualitative Research Differently. (2nd ed.).SAGE Pub.USA

Letherby, G. (2013).Methodological Innovations. (1st ed) SAGE Journals.USA

Palasan, E.B (2018). Qualitative Research: Importance in Daily Life [PowerPoint]

available online with http://www.slideshare.net.ppt

Rancome, P (2013).Ethics and Values in Social Research.

https://www.macmillanihe.com/page/detail/

Accessed in June 2020

https://quizlet.com/256714214/unit-ii-lesson-4-qualitative-research-in-different-areas- of-
knowledge-flash-cards/

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