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1. Qualitative research does not depend on numbers or statistics, unlike quantitative research. Liberated from the need to devise surveys or instruments to measure only quantifiable results, the research can gather information that is more abstract, subjective, or exploratory in nature. Both qualitative and quantitative research are empirical methods relevant to the social sciences, and can be used together to bolster understanding of a specific subject, population, theory, issue, or set of variables. Some of the most common research designs used in qualitative research include interviews, observations, and case studies.
Some of the drawbacks of qualitative research methods include the small sample size, and the lack of generalizable data. To make up for this drawback, researchers can supplement their initial qualitative research with a follow-up study that focuses on some of the key variables that were elucidated in the qualitative research. Qualitative research is systematic, even though it is not quantitative in its design. For example, a researcher can use systems of verbal coding when analyzing interview responses to determine which themes or phrases are repeated most often by participants. Similarly, a researcher can catalog gestures or behaviors in an observational research design. Using systematic methods that are thoroughly explained in the report helps to improve the rigor of any qualitative research. On the contrary, researchers undermine the integrity and validity of their qualitative research when they do not use systematic means of analyzing the data, or when they do not frame their research in terms of prevailing theories or prior literature. Researchers also need to minimize bias when designing their qualitative studies, such as by carefully crafting interview questions or methods of observation.
References
Wyse, S. E. (2011). What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative research? Retrieved online: https://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research/
2. As Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson, and Spiers (2002) point out, qualitative research is not exempt from issues like research rigor, methods, validity, and reliability. Qualitative research seems more nebulous or softer than quantitative research, because of its exploratory nature. The factors most important in determining the validity and reliability of a qualitative study include “the overall significance, relevance, impact, and utility of completed research,” (Morse, Barrett, Mayan, Olson & Spiers, 2002, p. 3). The authors are absolutely correct to point out not only that qualitative research can and should conform to rigorous standards, but also that the means by which to ensure reliability and validity are not too dissimilar from those used in quantitative research.
For example, reliability and validity in qualitative research depend on how the researchers designed their study, and whether that research design was appropriate. A researcher needs to use an adequate representative sample, also indicating when the sample was non-representative. Participants can be randomly selected, even if they cannot be randomly assigned as they are in an experimental research design. However, in a qualitative study, the methods used need to be standardized. Definitions need to be operationalized, and the researchers need to clarify why they are asking certain questions. Tying in the research with prior research and theory helps to bolster the validity of any claims being made.
The methods of evaluating data also need to be rigorous and standardized. For example, the researchers need to show how they classified and coded interview responses, and why they are drawing specific conclusions. The results of the research cannot be arbitrary, and they must be relevant and applicable for further research.


References
Morse, J.M., Barrett, M., Mayan, M., Olson, K. & Spiers, J. (2002). Verification strategies for establishing reliability and validity in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods 1 (2). Retrieved online: https://sites.ualberta.ca/~iiqm/backissues/1_2Final/pdf/morseetal.pdf