How to Do a Qualitative Research Study

Qualitative research aims to understand certain behaviors and the reasoning behind such behaviors. It is the opposite of quantitative research, which studies measurable data that can be counted and analyzed in the form of numbers. Qualitative research studies the intangible factors that drive specific outcomes. It is most commonly used in sociological research and in market research. Performing a qualitative research study is easy and will only require a sample set of participants who belong to the group you are studying.

Instructions

    • 1

      Gather a group of participants together who share the characteristic you are looking to study.

    • 2

      Develop a questionnaire that explores the reasoning behind the group's behaviors. Ask them to describe emotions, feelings and the pros and cons of certain decisions.

    • 3

      Pass the questionnaire to each participant and ask her to fill it out. Compile the feedback and begin to analyze it, looking for common patterns and traits in the responses.

    • 4

      Conduct a focus group with the participants. This serves as an open discussion that is guided by the common traits and patterns that you've extracted from responses to the questionnaire.

    • 5

      Record audio of the focus group and analyze it later, looking for further insights into what drives the patterns that you have noticed.

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