Module 19

Qualitative Data
The word ‘qualitative’ suggests an emphasis on the

characteristics of things as well as on actions &
meanings that are not empirically investigated or
measured.
Qualitative research focuses on the real world, in order to

Qualitative understand, describe & explain social phenomenon’s
Research from inside in multiple ways.
It is done by analysing experiences of individuals or

groups, by analysing interactions and communications
or by analysing documents.
How and
How people why
How are affected cultures
Why people
opinions by the and
behave the
and events that practices
way they
attitudes go on have
do .
are formed. around developed
them. in the way
they have.
• The goal of qualitative research is to understand why individuals act, react
and think the way they do. Interview method is used massively within the
qualitative research.
• In qualitative research , the samples are typically small. In the gathering &
analysis of data, the focus of qualitative research is typically on words
rather than quantitative.
• Interaction between the researcher and the subject of the study is

emphasised in qualitative research. It acknowledges how connections &
human interaction are constantly evolving.
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
• Natural Setting: Qualitative researchers gather data in the actual environment where participants
experience the problem or topic. They don’t change the participants’ routines or surroundings.
Instead, they talk directly to people and observe their actions naturally.
• Researcher as Key Tool: Qualitative researchers collect their own data through methods like
observing participants, keeping records, and interviewing people directly. They usually don't use
tools or surveys made by others.
• Multiple Data Sources: Instead of relying on just one source, qualitative researchers gather
information from different places, like interviews, documents, and observations.
• Inductive Data Analysis: Researchers look for patterns, themes, and categories in the data to
form a complete understanding.
• Participants’ Meaning: The focus is on understanding what the participants think and feel about
the subject, rather than relying on what previous researchers have said.
• Flexible Design: Qualitative research is adaptable and can change as the researcher gathers more
data. The plan can evolve as long as it still helps achieve the research goals.
• Theoretical Lens: Researchers often use specific viewpoints, like cultural, gender, or ethnic
perspectives, to guide their study.
• Interpretive: Qualitative research involves interpretation, meaning different people (researchers,

readers, participants) might see things differently based on their perspectives.
• Comprehensive Account: The goal is to create a detailed and complete picture of the study,
considering all the different viewpoints and aspects of the issue.
Qualitative research in law focuses on understanding how
laws and legal systems influence society and people's
behavior. Its main goals are:
✓ To find out if laws and legal systems are meeting

society's needs.
Qualitative ✓ To see if these laws fit well within the social environment
they operate in.
Research in Law
✓ To identify the factors that shape and change the law.
✓ To assess how well the law is being applied and enforced.
✓ To understand why the law might not be performing

well.
✓To examine the attitudes and behaviors of those who enforce the law and how they interpret
it.
✓To determine if people are actually using the benefits provided by the law or if the law is
just a formality.
✓To check if the intended beneficiaries of the law are truly benefiting from it.
✓To figure out where the problem lies if the law isn’t helping people as intended.
✓To explore how laws impact the behavior and attitudes of society, individuals, and groups
Basic Tools of Qualitative Research
• Interviews: Interview is a two-way method which permits an exchange of ideas and

information.
✓It is structured when the researcher uses a set of pre-determined questions and
highly standardized technique of recording responses.
✓It is unstructured when there is flexibility in the approach to the questioning and
much lesser standardized way of recording the responses.
✓In-depth interviews allow the researcher to delve deeply into a participant's
experience, behaviour, feelings, and/or attitudes to uncover underlying concepts and
develop a theory about the research issue.
• Interview Guide: It contains only the topics or broad headings upon which the
respondents are asked to answer. Usually, the questions are formulated on the spot
and the responses are thereby recorded.
• Observation: It is a visual method of data collection. It is another scientific way

of data collection, when planned in a systematic manner and recorded
systematically, and is subject to check and control on validity and reliability.
• Case study
• Focus groups
• collection of documented material such as letters, diaries, photographs
• collection of narrative
• open ended questions in questionnaires.

Characteristic of Interview
• The interviewer can probe into casual factors, determine attitudes, discover the
origin of problem.
• It's appropriate to deal with young children and illiterates' person.
• It can make cross questioning possible.
• It helps the investigator to gain an impression of the person concerned.
• It can deal with delicate, confidential and even intimate topics.
• It has flexibility.
• Sincerity, frankness, truthfulness and insight of the interviewee can
be better judged through cross questioning.
• It gives no chance for respondent to modify his earlier answer.
• It is applicable in survey method, but it is also applicable in historical,

experimental, case studies and clinical studies.
Demerits of Interview
• May provides misleading information.
• Defects due to interviewee(low level of intelligence

or may be emotionally unbalanced)
• Result may be affected due to prejudices of

interviewer.
• Result may be affected due to the difference in the

mental outlook of interwee and interviewer.
• One sided and incomplete research.

Difference between Interview & Questionnaire
Questionnaire Method Interview Method
Data is gathered indirectly. Data is gathered directly.
No face-to-face contact between two. There is face to face contact between

interviewer and interviewee
Interviewer should have the general Skilful interviewer is needed
knowledge of the topic.
Interviwee will hesitate to write it Some confidential information can also
be obtained.
We get written information only. We get written and oral both type of
information.
• Qualitative research has the following limitations:
1. It takes a lot of time and can be expensive.
2. The researcher needs to have a strong

understanding of existing theories and concepts.
Limitations of
Without this foundation, the research won’t be
Qualitative
Research effective.
3. Collecting data through interviews,

questionnaires, and observations requires specific
skills, from planning to carrying out the research.
Qualitative Research: This type of research focuses on the
quality or substance of human experiences. It provides
detailed descriptions and in-depth analysis of people's
emotions, behaviors, and interactions.
Quantitative
& Qualitative
: Commonalities with Quantitative Research: Although
Relationship qualitative and quantitative research approaches are

different, they share some similarities. Both are
empirical, meaning they rely on observations, data, and
evidence from the real world to understand social,
cultural, and legal processes.
➢ Differences in Approach: The main difference between these
two research types lies in how they gather and analyze data.
Quantitative research deals with numbers and statistical
analysis, while qualitative research focuses on descriptions
and interpretations of social phenomena.
➢ Practical Perspective: The passage suggests that instead of

rigidly sticking to either qualitative or quantitative
methods, researchers should adopt a more practical
approach, using the method that best suits the research
question. This idea is known as the utilitarian perspective,
which emphasizes using "what works" rather than worrying
about whether one method is better than the other.

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Qualitative Data

The word ‘qualitative’ suggests an emphasis on the

Qualitative research focuses on the real world, in order to

It is done by analysing experiences of individuals or

• Interaction between the researcher and the subject of the study is

• Interpretive: Qualitative research involves interpretation, meaning different people (researchers,

✓ To find out if laws and legal systems are meeting

✓ To assess how well the law is being applied and enforced.

✓ To understand why the law might not be performing

• Interviews: Interview is a two-way method which permits an exchange of ideas and

• Observation: It is a visual method of data collection. It is another scientific way

• collection of documented material such as letters, diaries, photographs

• open ended questions in questionnaires.

• It's appropriate to deal with young children and illiterates' person.

• It can make cross questioning possible.

• It helps the investigator to gain an impression of the person concerned.

• It can deal with delicate, confidential and even intimate topics.

• It gives no chance for respondent to modify his earlier answer.

• It is applicable in survey method, but it is also applicable in historical,

• May provides misleading information.

• Defects due to interviewee(low level of intelligence

• Result may be affected due to prejudices of

• Result may be affected due to the difference in the

• One sided and incomplete research.

Data is gathered indirectly. Data is gathered directly.

No face-to-face contact between two. There is face to face contact between

1. It takes a lot of time and can be expensive.

2. The researcher needs to have a strong

3. Collecting data through interviews,

Relationship qualitative and quantitative research approaches are

➢ Practical Perspective: The passage suggests that instead of

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