(Lofland, 2006)
What problems might you face with qualitative research?
There are several different problems that could be faced when conducting qualitative research the most notable would include: a limited sample size and the possibility of identify various anomalies as the underlying trend. This is problematic, because all qualitative research will involve selecting a certain sample and then corroborating it with other findings. In cases where, the sample size could be millions or billions of people, the results could be different from the views of the majority. This is because the population sample would normally focus, on a few hundred to tens of thousands of participants. This is a small portion of the population demographic, as their views could represent the minority. The fact that the sample was so small and then corroborated with similar studies, highlights how these false perceptions could take place. Once this occurs, it means that the analysis is completely wrong and the underlying data could be showing something different. Where, the various anomalies are...
This will cause the results, of the survey to be completely different. As the corroboration of: the various anomalies will create a false sense of certainty. At which point the chances increase, that false assumptions could take place, based upon these facts. These are the biggest weaknesses associated with qualitative research.
Bibliography
Do the Ends Justify the Means. (2010). Online Ethics Center. Retrieved September 18, 2010, from http://www.onlineethics.org/CMS/research/rescases/gradres/gradresv1/justify.aspx
Ethics in Qualitative Research. (n.d.). Ethics in Health Care Research. Retrieved September 18, 2010, from http://www.sahealthinfo.org/ethics/ethicsqualitative.htm
Qualitative Measures. (2006). Research Methods. Retrieved September 18, 2010, from http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qual.php
Berg, B. (2007). Qualitative Research Method for Social Science. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Lofland, J. (2006). Analyzing Social Settings. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
