Qualitative research tradition

Although the specific methods of analysis vary somewhat amongst die different qualitative traditions, most qualitative research designs include the concepts of coding data and inductive data analysis to develop categories. For example, after interviews are transcribed verbatim, text is segmented into phrases or sentences and given a code that labels the main idea of this chunk of text. 

The previous chapters by Bretz on qualitative research (P) and Sanger on quantitative research 8) have examined methods of data analysis germane to those traditions. In a research endeavor that employs a mixed methods design, the important analysis question focuses on how the data is integrated, related, and mixed 3, 12). How is data transformed from one type into another so that the results from sequential studies may be compared Similarly, how is data transformed during a concurrent study to facilitate interpretation ... 

In contrast to the qualitative better and worse approach of traditional SAR, many researchers have sought to develop a method that is able to quantitatively link molecular structure changes to biological activity, a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). As a method, QSAR strives to develop a mathematical formula to relate biological activity as a function of molecular or substituent properties. 

Creswell, J.W. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design Choosing from among Five Traditions. Sage Publications Thousand Oaks, 1998. 

Other research questions are better suited to a design that uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Mulford and Robinson (2) developed an instrument to measure the extent of students alternate conceptions about topics found in a traditional first semester general chemistry course. Initially, an instrument consisting of 18 free-response questions was piloted. Qualitative analysis of the responses allowed the researchers to develop a multiple-choice survey instrument with incorrect answers that reflected the conceptions of students. The survey was used in a pre-test and post-test format with general chemistry students and the results were analyzed quantitatively to document changes in alternate conceptions among the students. This study was well matched to a mixed methods design where qualitative methods were used to... 

Qualitative, data-driven research in the tradition of Glaser and/or Strauss that aims to formulate theories or hypotheses based on data. A qualitative study that analyses data to build a model to explain that the working of the investigated topie fits well here ... 

A military unit was chosen for the research of the risks of occupational exposure to NIEMR. The Checkhst Analysis method to identify NIEMR sources and traditional brainstorming to define qualitatively priorities of risks were applied. The stay of employees in the NIEMF of radar side lobes was analyzed as a critical risk which was subjected to detailed examination. 

Yet conducting DA with consumers is extremely appealing, as it is a potential way to assess consumers diversity in their perception of products, while this cannot be achieved using trained panellists (because of the training and of the limited panel size). Alternately, qualitative techniques that are traditionally used in market research would only partially render this diversity, and would fail to provide actionable or quantitative data. 

Creswell, J. W. 2007. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Choosing among Five Traditions (2nd edition). Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications Inc. 

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