Strenghts and weaknesses of qualitative research method. Essay Example

Strenghts and weaknesses of qualitative research method. Essay Soma S? ¤gi Strengths and weaknesses of different research methods This semester my group was tasked with the conduction of a research about how the University of Baths great employability rates affected their University choice. We used qualitative research methods, every member of the group interviewed a first year Social Science student. We then later summarised the data, and looked for common points. All the interviews were semi-constructed, we asked questions which let the interviewee make his/her own points about the subject, thus the answers were not arrowed to the generic ones one could receive when conducting a survey. The interviews were recorded and transcribed for easier summarisation and can be accessed online ( see bibliography ). We found that the interviewees had mainly altruistic motives, they wanted to influence disadvantaged peoples lives, and one interviewee stated that his main motive was to make a world a better place ( see the interview with Adeel ). About the influence of employability rates, the results were mixed, less than half of the participants stated that such rates were a highly influential, for the others the ourse and academical structure was the bigger influence. When the interviewees were asked more specifically about the impact of their course choice on their employability, most stated that the reputation of the Universitys Social Sciences Department will give them an edge on the Job market. The great placement options and excellent quality of teaching will have a positive influence on their employability. It is unsurprising that none of the interviewees mentioned that their University choice would give them any disadvantages. We will write a custom essay sample on Strenghts and weaknesses of qualitative research method. specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Strenghts and weaknesses of qualitative research method. specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Strenghts and weaknesses of qualitative research method. specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer On the topic of employability itself, the subjects agreed on that it is the skills that one acquires that will later being successful on ones field of employment. Extra languages, good communication skills and the ability to function as a member of a team were the most common examples given. I myself found the qualitative method much more enjoyable than the quantitative. Even though both methods have their own advantages and disadvantages, and both can be used with equal success in most cases, the fact that due to the interviews one an actually meet those who are the subjects of the research. Through survey questionnaire one can not do but narrow down the possible answers. The interview format can lead to much nuanced results, the interviewer can ask specific questions related to the answers, thus can clear up any misunderstandings or can acquire new information which later on can prove to be critical for the research. The personal The problem is common in natural scientific experiments as well, and is called The Observer Effect. Just by being there, one can influence the outcome of the xperiment, this even more true when conducting experiments which rely on human honesty. For my research this did not prove to be a problem but it is easily imaginable that for more personal questions, which can cause shame or other strong emotions in the subject ( for example those which involve traumatic events ) this could cause serious issues and could hinder the research until necessary trust is developed, which may cost substantial time and energy and may even not develop fully. All in all, I am satisfied how I conducted my interview. I do not know the subject ery well, thus I was a bit nervous about the trust issues mentioned above, but it turned out there were not any. I chose an environment where the subject could feel at ease, and tried to make it as unofficial as possible, turning the serious questionnaire to a light chat. I conducted my interview in the University Canteen over a cup of coffee and used Just pen and paper to write down the subjects answers, thus making it possible to maintain contact and not barricading myself behind a computer. I do not feel like I made any mistakes during the interview session, but due o its rather light questions and short duration there were no real mistakes to be made. I would prefer using the qualitative research method in the future when needing to acquire data. The quantitative methods, the survey questionnaire feels like it is narrowing down the possible answers too much and Just by the wording of the question one can influence the subjects answers. There are some ethical issues with the qualitative method that need to be addressed. First of all, one always needs the permission of the subject to use the data acquired through the interviews in ones research. Anonymity is often sought after subjects affected by trauma or when answering other personal questions, including but not limited to those about intimacy, physical and mental health. Qualitative research could require the researcher to participate in the subjects everyday life to a great degree, especially in those cases when the subject of the research is a closed group, for example a tribe, rather than a single person. Researchers need to know their boundaries and when not to push these, because that can lead to the subject group shutting out the researcher and to a loss of trust, hus making the research impossible to conduct. Another issue is the question of interception. Does one try to help a child suffering from domestic violence? Does one get involved in issues out of their authority? By doing so they destroy their own research subject. Is that such a great price for actually making an another human beings life better? What if, due to the research, a hundred lives would become better? Those conducting qualitative research in serious issues face these dilemmas every day. In the end, let me express my feeling about such matters. I believe that the main oal of every social scientist should be to somehow, through their own research, may whole but we can bring small changes, even if it is to slightly alter and improve an academic topic, or even a smaller, yet equally important change: bring happiness. Bibliography: All interviews of Qualitative Group 7: httpwwww. scribd. com/doc/190612665/Qu-Alres-Group-7-Data [10. 12. 2013] orb, A. , Eisenhauer, L. , Wynaden, D. , 2000. Ethics in Qualitative Research. Journal of nursing scholarship, 33(1), pp 93-96. Accessed from: http://www. columbia. edu/†mvp19/RMC/ M5/QualEthtcs. pdf [9. 12. 2013]