Qualitative research focuses on the experience of the subject matter. A researcher invests time in knowing the complexities of the subject itself, instead of focusing on independent variables. For example, if a researcher wants to find information concerning poverty, a quantitative framework would be to find and research data on poverty rates. However, a researcher using qualitative research techniques might interview people who are living in poverty.
Contextualization is a central framework for all qualitative research. Through contextualization, a researcher is able to take small instances or variables and extrapolate the variables to define or comment on a larger social problem. For example, if a researcher interviews drug addicts and gang members within an inner city area, the researcher may be able to use their insights and experiences to describe social phenomena. The commentary may lead to an explanation of how the urban center creates or condones certain lifestyle choices, or how political corruption and lack of investment has led to the decay of cities.
Interpretation is another framework found within qualitative research. Interpretation helps a researcher see social or scientific phenomena through the lens of an interpretative paradigm. For example, if a researcher is trying to understand how urban centers have decayed, he might use the analysis frameworks of Marxism to describe how class schisms have created a system of exploitation. Whatever analysis the researcher wishes to use, the interpretation framework allows the researcher to apply an entire school of thought to explain an event or social phenomena.
A quantitative researcher might not want to use qualitative methods, mainly because qualitative frameworks argue that all knowledge is usable knowledge. A qualitative researcher would utilize variables and information from any source. For example, a qualitative researcher could utilize literature as a way to describe or assess economic analysis. Another example is using pop culture resources, such as magazines, to explain demographic trends. Although to some people these uses seem strange, qualitative research frameworks are based on the idea of pluralism. Pluralism allows all phenomena to be assessed and analyzed. Any piece of data or variable can help a researcher reach further information concerning phenomena.