Learning activity 6.4-Unit 6
As a consumer of research reports, the most important thing(s) for me in the methods and results section of a high-quality qualitative research report is/are . . .
In qualitative research, participants are the key to explore the central phenomenon; therefore it’s essential to identify the participants and the site purposefully to best suit qualitative research. Selecting specific strategies to guide the purposeful sampling, and the small number of site and participants to present the complexity of the site and the information provided by participants to help researchers answer the research question (Plano-Clerk & Creswell, 2015, p.330,332,335).
A rigorous research design shows all elements of the study fit together logically and coherently and help consumers understand the study. Understanding the how to critique the study is significant in quantitative and qualitative research. The purpose of choosing the procedures is crucial in qualitative research; hence, it’s necessary for interaction to answer the research question.
Method of collection informs the consumer and conveys the details of data analysis process, knowing the qualitative data analysis is Inductive, interpretive, simultaneous, and iterative may return to consumer more information to the gap in their exploratory research. The interaction in the data analysis process plays a dynamic role and defines the theme, therefore lead to emerged theory.
Finally, validating findings to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the findings and triangulation is a sign in a notion of finding evidence to support the theme, therefore, providing a good exploration of the central phenomenon.
Question
Considering saturation point and systematic review, does the limitations in a qualitative research influence the consumer in the way of how they evaluate the research report?
Hi Wafa,
Thank you for your reflection on the most important part of a high quality qualitative research report. In order to answer your question above, would you be able to elaborate on what you think the limitations of a qualitative research study are?
Dr. Strong
Thank you Dr. Strong;
The researchers usually include at the end of their research what they call limitation. The capacity of qualitative research limited to saturation point, and It’s pertinent to reach the central phenomenon. Russell et al. (2017) included some limitation to his research, “This study is limited to the data collected from the participants in the form of a written questionnaire” (p.93). As a consumer, I found this type of limitation does not weigh much when combined with rich information provided by researchers. However as a reader; it might be crucial to a specific extent. Russell et al., (2017) mentioned, the questionnaire didn’t allow the researchers to ask follow-up questions or seek clarification to answer and didn’t allow for discovering how these leaders arrived at their position of leadership. On the other hand, authors provided participants quotes as evidence of their experiences (Russell et al., 2017, p.87). The pilot study allowed the researchers to edit and refine the questions to develop a rich and meaningful script for the actual research study. To my understanding, and the excerpts that I included from Russell et al., (2017), this study informed the researchers about the central phenomenon to a specific extent and limitation included furthering research interest.