Getting Started with Qualitative Research

Topic Overview

Case Study Research

One of the most prominent types of qualitative research is case study research, where researchers get very close to a small set of cases of a phenomenon. The results of this may then be transferred to other cases (though not generalized to absolute truths), or used as the foundation for subsequent quantitative research. Note that qualitative research is often used in nursing and medicine as well, and you may see sources that talk about it in those domains; generally, the concepts are relatively transferable.

For more comprehensive information, see:

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research

Choosing between qualitative and quantitative research is not always an easy task. There are some variables and phenomena that seem like they may be measurable numerically, but that really should be described qualitatively before trying to create valid constructs. The sources below should help you choose whether qualitative or quantitative research is right for you. Note that qualitative research is often used in nursing and medicine as well, and you may see sources that talk about it in those domains; generally, the concepts are relatively transferable.

Scholarly Resources

These are scholarly resources useful for starting a deep dive into the topic. You’re welcome to use some of these in your assignments, although everyone will need to find many resources far beyond those listed on this web site.

Qualitative research has been the subject of much meta-research into its reliability and usefulness. Below are some scholarly sources that talk about the value of qualitative research, and especially how to use it in education. Note that qualitative research is often used in nursing and medicine as well, and you may see sources that talk about it in those domains; generally, the concepts are relatively transferable.

For more comprehensive information, see:

Additional resources can be found in the following general journals:

General Media

These sources would generally not be suitable for use in your assignments, but they may provide a useful general overview of the topic if you find yourself struggling with the more scholarly resources.

Qualitative research is an enormous field. Below are some resources to get you started, followed by some more in-depth (but still novice-friendly) sources and courses.

Additional sources for learning more about qualitative methods include: