Characteristics and appropriate uses of the qualitative research designs

Full Answer Section

• Appropriate uses: Phenomenology is appropriate for research questions that seek to understand the meaning of a particular experience for the individual. For example, a phenomenological study could be used to understand the experience of being a new parent, the experience of living with a chronic illness, or the experience of being a refugee.

• Characteristics: Ethnography is a qualitative research design that seeks to understand a culture or subculture. It is an inductive approach that involves immersion in the culture and the collection of data through observation, interviews, and document analysis.
• Appropriate uses: Ethnography is appropriate for research questions that seek to understand the shared beliefs, values, and practices of a group of people. For example, an ethnographic study could be used to understand the culture of a particular workplace, the culture of a religious group, or the culture of a street gang.

• Characteristics: Grounded theory is a qualitative research design that seeks to develop a theory from the data. It is an inductive approach that involves the collection of data through interviews, observations, and document analysis. The data is then analyzed to identify patterns and themes, which are used to develop the theory.
• Appropriate uses: Grounded theory is appropriate for research questions that seek to develop a new theory or to refine an existing theory. For example, a grounded theory study could be used to develop a theory of how people make decisions, a theory of how organizations change, or a theory of how people cope with stress.

• Characteristics: A case study is a qualitative research design that seeks to understand a particular case in depth. It is an in-depth approach that involves the collection of data through multiple sources, such as interviews, observations, and document analysis.
• Appropriate uses: Case studies are appropriate for research questions that seek to understand a complex phenomenon in depth. For example, a case study could be used to understand the decision-making process of a particular company, the implementation of a new policy, or the impact of a natural disaster.

• Characteristics: Action research is a qualitative research design that seeks to improve a situation through the process of research. It is a participatory approach that involves the collaboration of researchers and participants in the research process.
• Appropriate uses: Action research is appropriate for research questions that seek to improve a particular situation. For example, an action research study could be used to improve the performance of a team, to develop a new training program, or to improve the quality of care in a hospital.

Sample Answer

• Characteristics: Phenomenology is a qualitative research design that seeks to understand the lived experiences of individuals. It is a descriptive approach that focuses on the participant's perspective and how they make sense of their experiences.