QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHOD IN SOCIAL AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Abstract

This paper examines the relevance of qualitative research methodology as a systematic method of inquiry that seeks to build a holistic approach that is largely narrative, a description to inform researchers’ understanding of social or cultural phenomena. Qualitative research method has some common characteristics including: natural setting, researcher as participant, subject-based communication, subject intentionality and pragmatic. Similarly, qualitative research methods are key importance in; developing an understanding on human and social sciences to find the way people think. It is also holistic in nature because it focuses on a wide range of population and concentrated on problems that affect population entirely. Qualitative research is also subjective in approach among other key importance. In the same vein, there are many circumstances that warrant the use of qualitative research method. For instance, it is appropriate to the study of attitudes and behaviors best understood within their natural setting. It is well suited to the study of social processes overtime where statistics are not use at all. Also, qualitative research are suitable for small group discussions for investigating beliefs, attitudes and concept of normative behavior, semi-structured interviews to find out views on a focused topic or with key background information or an institutional perspective, in-depth interviews to understand a condition, experiences or event from personal experience, analysis of texts and documents. Finally, qualitative researchers fine-tune the pre-conceived notions, analyzing and estimating the issue from an in-depth perspective.