PRACTICAL RESEARCH 1

Qualitative Research and its

Importance in Daily Life

MODULE 2

NAME: _______________________________________

GRADE & SECTION: __________________________

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pages

MODULE 3 IDENTIFYING THE INQUIRY AND STATING THE PROBLEM

Learning Objectives 1

Pretest 2
Lesson 1 The Value of Qualitative Research
Its Characteristics ,Strengths ,Weaknesses and Kinds
I. Definition of Qualitative Research 4
II. Purpose of Qualitative Research 5
III. Characteristics of Qualitative Research 5
IV. Strengths of Qualitative Research 5
V. Weaknesses of Qualitative Research 6
VI. Kinds of Qualitative Research 6
Post test 13

Pretest 16
Lesson 2 The Importance of Qualitative Research Across Fields of
Inquiry
Research in Different Areas of Knowledge 17
I. Basic Research Approaches in a Specific Area of 17
Discipline
II. Hard Sciences versus Soft Sciences 19
Post test 24

2
 What I need to Know

Introduction
What makes human race distinct from each other, specifically on its uniqueness
of traits, similarities and differences? In a way, qualitative research can respond to such
questions. According to Silverman (2013); Litchman (2013); Walliman (2014); and
Suter (2012), qualitative research is an act of inquiry or investigation of real-life
events. It is concerned with own experiences of a life event, and the aim is to interpret
what has been said in order to explain why it is said. This is called natural setting.
Qualitative research is important practically because most things cannot just be
quantified: they need to be described. Appreciating the nature of life and experience
is vital than simply counting things .We need to understand the quality of some things
in order for them to have meaning.

This module will assist you in understanding….

Lesson 1 The Value of Qualitative Research

Its Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses and Kinds
Lesson 2 The Importance of Qualitative Research Across Fields of Inquiry

Learning Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses and kinds of

qualitative research; and
2. Illustrate the importance of qualitative research across fields.

1
 What I know

Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. It is the most familiar and applicable type of qualitative research which refers to the
investigation of a culture through an in-depth study of the members of the cultural
society.
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
2. It is primarily used to generate theory through relevant information taken from very
reliable sources and its focus is theory development.
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
3. Which of the following types of qualitative research is designed to focus on the
commonality of a “lived experience” with a particular group and its aim is to determine
what an experience means for the persons who have had the experience of living in a
certain community which is the subject of the research?
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
4. It is an exploration of a “bounded system” over time through detailed, in-depth data
collection involving multiple sources of information rich in interesting stories.
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
5. It is a qualitative research which analyzes the language “beyond the sentence”. It is
the study of the ways in which language is used by the people, both written and spoken
contexts.
a. Historical Research
b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography
d. Narrative Report.

2
6. “A student really idolizes his English teacher who is expert in grammar and literature.
The former wants to write a scholarly chronicle about the latter’s experiences including
his family background, how he achieved his success in life, his likes and dislikes, his
achievements and struggles in life.” What type of qualitative research should a student
employ?
a. Historical Research
b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography
d. Narrative Report
7. It is a qualitative research in which data related to the past events are systematically
collected and evaluated to describe potential causes, effects, or trends related to those
events.
a. Historical Research
b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography
d. Narrative Report
8. All of the following are strengths of qualitative research EXCEPT
a. Explores sensitive issues
b. Captures diversity of experiences and perceptions
c. Allows participants to freely exchange ideas
d. Proves a certain theory or principle
9. Which of the following is one of the weaknesses of a qualitative research?
a. Results are limited as they provide less elaboration of human perceptions.
b. Data created through qualitative research are always accepted.
c. Data analysis involving numerical data is difficult.
d. There is a limited review of related literature or in-depth information about
the topic.
10. Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the importance of qualitative research
in daily life?
a. Qualitative unveils individual’s perception, feelings and attitudes about a
certain phenomenon.
b. Qualitative research allows the researcher to immerse in the community
where the participants live.
c. Qualitative research stimulates people’s interdependence or interpersonal
relationship.
d. Qualitative research lets the researcher to validate the previously
constructed theory or principle.

1
This set of questions presented in the pre-test are extracted from the work of Abdullah, S.N.2018) .Practical
Research 1-Pre/Post Test. Department of Education. Sultan Kudarat

3
 Lesson The Value of Qualitative Research
1 Its Characteristics, Strengths,
Weaknesses and Kinds

The general purpose of qualitative research is to develop concepts which help

you to understand social phenomena in, wherever possible, natural rather than
experimental settings, to gain an understanding of the experiences, perceptions and/or
behaviours of individuals, and the meanings attached to them. The effective
applications of qualitative methods to other disciplines, including health and education
research have expanded. This module outlines the nature and potential value of
qualitative research features its various parameters.

( What’s in?

In the previous module, you learned the nature of inquiry and research. Inquiry
and research encourage high levels of critical thinking in order to attain appropriate
methods and resources .As a researcher you have to follow the different
processes in research equipped with the etiquettes in conducting your study. Those
samples of research in areas of interest will help you guide to choose you topic or
research problem.

What’s New?

I. Definition of Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research is a scientific method of observation to gather non-numerical

data. It refers to the meanings, concepts, characteristics, metaphors, symbols and
description of phenomena, and not to their counts or measures.

4
II.Purpose of Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research promotes a deep, holistic understanding of a particular

phenomenon.

III.Characteristics of Qualitative Research

1. Human understanding and interpretation in data analysis

2. Active, powerful and forceful in data gathering and rephrasing interview questions

3. Multiple research approaches and methods that allows you to plan your study and

being multi-method research

4. Specificity to generalization on specific ideas will lead to generalizations or

conclusions.

5. Contextualization - context or situation of individual’s life

6. Diversified data in real-life situations on collecting data in a natural setting

7. Abounds with words and visuals that presents people’s view in a picture, video,

drawing or graphs.

8. Internal analysis on examining the data yielded by the internal traits of the subject

persons.

IV.Strengths of Qualitative Research

1. It adopts a naturalistic approach to its subject matter.

2. Promotes a full understanding of human behavior/personality traits in their natural

setting.

3. It is instrumental for positive societal changes.

4. It engenders respect for people’s individuality.

5. it’s a way of understanding & interpreting social interactions.

6. Increases researcher’s interests in the study.

7. Offers multiple ways of acquiring and examining knowledge about something.

5
V.Weaknesses of Qualitative Research

1. It involves a lot of researcher’s subjectivity in data analysis.

2. It is hard to know the validity/reliability of the data.

3. It is open-ended questions yield “data overload” that requires long-time analysis.

4. It is time-consuming.

5. It involves several processes, whose results greatly depend on the researcher’s

views or interpretations.

VI. Kinds of Qualitative Research2

1. Case Study - Long time study of a person, group, organization or situation and
an empirical inquiry that investigates current phenomenon.
Example: “Teenage Pregnancy in the Public High Schools”

2. Ethnography- a study of a particular cultural group.

Example: “Cultural Awareness and Integration of Peace Education in the
Indigenous Peoples (IP) Communities”
.
3. Phenomenology- “live-experienced” of a phenomenon.
Example: “Life without Gadget”

4. Content and Discourse Analysis-

Content Analysis- is a research technique that analyzes the modes of
communication such as letters, e-mails etc.

Discourse Analysis- is the study of social life, understood through

analysis of language it includes face-to-face talk, non-verbal interaction,
images and symbols.

Materials for Discourse Analysis include books, newspapers, periodicals,

brochures and advertisements.

Example: “A Discourse Analysis on the Impact of Modern Technologies on

Communication”

5. Historical Analysis- is a qualitative method where there is an examining of past

events to draw conclusions and make predictions about the future.

Example: “The Impact of Ferdinand Marcos’ Speech”

6
 6. Grounded Theory- takes place when there is a discovery of new theory which
underlies your study at the time of data collection and analysis.
Example: “The Story Behind the Migration of Christians from Visayas and Luzon
to Mindanao”

7. Narrative Report - designed to present things or events that have happened in

the past through a logical progression of the relevant information. The main
purpose of a narrative report is to present a factual depiction of what has
occurred.

Example: “Vocabulary Building of Students through Proper Solid Waste

Management”

8. Biography- is the study of an individual’s life and struggles and how they reflect
cultural themes of the society. It deals with an interesting story found in
documents and archival materials. It is concerned with the reconstruction of life
histories and the constitution of meaning based on biographical narratives and
documents.

Five common types of biography are

(1) Scholarly Chronicles -focus on the historical portrayal of an individual life.
e.g. “Biography of Gloria M. Arroyo, the First Woman President of the
Philippines”
(2) Intellectual Biography- narrative of a life through the conceptual analysis of
the subject’s motives and beliefs within the world of ideas.
e.g. “Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal”
(3) Life History Writing- recording of life memories, experiences, whether
one’s or another’s.
e.g. “The Hardships of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s)”.
(4) Memoir Biography- stylistic presentation of the biographer’s reflections and
insights in relation to the factual account of life.
e.g. “The Experiences of Stranded Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic”
(5) Narrative Biography-a nonfiction account of life experiences of a person.

9. Action Research- is a classroom-based or school-based research seeks

transformative change through the process of taking action and doing research,
which are linked together by critical reflection. This type of research is
commonly conducted by the teachers to give solutions to the existing problems
to improve students’ academic performance and positive attitudes.

2
For more information on these kinds of qualitative research, see Palasan, E.B (2018). Qualitative
Research: Importance in Daily Life [PowerPoint] available online with http://www.slideshare.net.ppt

7
Activity 1: Question and Answer
Directions: Answer the questions briefly. Write your answers on the space
provided.
1. How will you use qualitative research in real life?

2. What are the kinds of qualitative research?

What is it?

Discussion of Activity 1
You just learned the valuable aspects of qualitative research.

1. Can you recognize the nature of qualitative research; its kinds, characteristics,
strengths, and weaknesses? Kindly provide your brief explanation.

2. How do the strengths and weaknesses help us in writing the research

proposal?

8
 What’s more?

On the table below, draft your proposed topics for a research paper. The first
column is for the topic, second for the purpose and third for the type of qualitative
research to be used. Give five topics.

Topic Purpose Type of Qualitative Research

Example:
Post Traumatic To determine the Phenomenological
Experiences of the experiences o f those
COVID-19 Survivors survivors in the
COVID-19
phenomena.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

9
 What I have learned

Explain the concepts you have learned by answering the following questions.

1. What comes to your mind when you hear qualitative research?

.
2. Pretend you are the subject of a phenomenological study; how will the
researcher obtain data from you?

3. Name the type of qualitative research best suited for the following topics.
a. Grade 11 Science Textbook _ _
b. Filipino COVID-19 Front liners in Europe _
c. Travails of SHS Graduates in Public Schools _
d. The Ifugao Wedding Practices__
e. Relatives of COVID-19 Victims_

What I can do

Contemplate on the matters you see in your surroundings, your house,

appliances and gadgets, school, your friends, etc. Ponder over these things, think of
a good topic you can research on qualitatively. Write a short descriptive paragraph on
your chosen topic applying what you have learned about qualitative research. Write in
a separate sheet of paper.

10
 Additional Activities

Choose five kinds of qualitative research and find one example of actual
research studies/articles for each. Make a summary for each study and explain why it
belongs to that type of qualitative research.

Sample Article: Teenage Pregnancy in the Philippines

The issue of teenage pregnancy is widespread in various parts of the

country. Today, we face the painful reality that at a very young age, most
young people have children of their own.

During the World Population Day Forum held in Quezon City last July 2019,
the Commission on Population (Popcom) raised concerns about early and
unplanned pregnancies by citing that around 500 teenage girls have given
birth in the country every day as more adolescents engage in premarital
sex. Popcom said some 196,000 Filipinos between the ages of 15 and 19
years old get pregnant each year.

In the Philippines, according to the 2013 National Demographic and Health

Survey (NDHS) and the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Study
(YAFSS), the number of women aged 15-19 who have begun childbearing
increased from eight percent in 2003 to 10 percent in 2013.

Summary: The rising teenage pregnancy rate in the Philippines has

contributed to the country's population crisis.

This study belongs to a case study type of qualitative research as it explores

a case through a detailed, data collection which involves sources of information
within the natural setting.

11
1

12
 Assessment

Direction: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. “A student really idolizes his English teacher who is very expert in grammar and
literature. The former wants to write a scholarly chronicle about the latter’s experiences
including his family background, how he achieved his success in life, his likes and
dislikes, his achievements and struggles in life.” What type of qualitative research
should a student employ?
a. Historical Research
b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography
d. Narrative Report
2. It is a qualitative research in which data related to the past events are systematically
collected and evaluated to describe potential causes, effects, or trends related to those
events.
a. Historical Research
b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography
d. Narrative Report
3. All of the following are strengths of qualitative research EXCEPT
a. Explores sensitive issues
b. Captures diversity of experiences and perceptions
c. Allows participants to freely exchange ideas
d. Proves a certain theory or principle
4. Which of the following is one of the weaknesses of a qualitative research?
a. Results are limited as they provide less elaboration of human perceptions.
b. Data created through qualitative research are always accepted.
c. Data analysis involving numerical data is difficult.
d. There is a limited review of related literature or in-depth information about
the topic.
5. Which of the following is EXCLUDED from the importance of qualitative research
in daily life?
a. Qualitative unveils individual’s perception, feelings and attitudes about a
certain phenomenon.
b. Qualitative research allows the researcher to immerse in the community
where the participants live.
c. Qualitative research stimulates people’s interdependence or interpersonal
relationship.

13
 d. Qualitative research lets the researcher to validate the previously
constructed theory or principle.
6. It is the most familiar and applicable type of qualitative research which refers to the
investigation of a culture through an in-depth study of the members of the cultural
society
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
7. It is primarily used to generate theory through relevant information taken from very
reliable sources and its focus is theory development.
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
8. Which of the following types of qualitative research is designed to focus on the
commonality of a “lived experience” with a particular group and its aim is to determine
what an experience means for the persons who have had the experience of living in a
certain community which is the subject of the research?
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
9. It is an exploration of a “bounded system” over time through detailed, in-depth data
collection involving multiple sources of information rich in interesting stories.
a. Ethnography
b. Phenomenology
c. Grounded Theory
d. Case Study
10. It is a qualitative research which analyzes the language “beyond the sentence”. It
is the study of the ways in which language is used by the people, both written and
spoken contexts.
a. Historical Research
b. Discourse Analysis
c. Biography
d. Narrative Report.

1
This set of questions presented in the post-test are extracted from the work of Abdullah, S.N.2018) .Practical
Research 1-Pre/Post Test. Department of Education. Sultan Kudara

14
 What I know

Direction:
Read the following statements. Answer TRUE if the statement is true,
FALSE if you think it is not.

1.Research studies what happens in any field of knowledge.

_2.Scientific approach expresses and records your findings qualitatively.
_3.Triangulation or mixed method enhances accuracy and interpretation.
_4.Naturalistic approach is people oriented.
_5.A qualitative research is exclusive to both hard and soft sciences.
_6.Soft science studies human behavior in a scientific manner.
_7.The scientific approach gives stress to measurable and observable
facts instead of personal views, feelings, or attitudes.
_8.All research types apply to all data collecting techniques.
_9.Reasons happens in just one field of knowledge.
_10.Past events in a person’s life are the focus of triangulation.

15
 Lesson The Importance of Qualitative
2 Research Across Fields of Inquiry

Qualitative research is an emerging area of inquiry that graces through

disciplines and subject matter. However it's also essential to recognize that qualitative
research is a method generally used in the social sciences searching social
interactions, schemes and processes. It delivers a detailed appreciation of the ways
people come to understand and achieve their daily life in particular situations.

( What’s in?

In the previous lesson, you learned to describe the nature and characteristics of
qualitative research with its kinds, strength and weaknesses. Qualitative research is
capable to give rich information about the respondents, be it humans or animals.
Despite having such strength, its weakness is perceived on its approach being not
applicable to some research objectives. The kinds of qualitative research will help you
discover facts and information about the object of your interest and working with others.
The lessons you had learned will guide you to appreciate the importance of qualitative
research across fields of inquiry.

What’s New?

Research in Different Areas of Knowledge

Research studies happen in any field of knowledge:

Anthropology, Business, Communication, Education, Engineering, Law and Nursing.

A. Basic Research Approaches in a Specific Area of Discipline

1. Scientific or Positive Approach

eals with empirical data instead of personal views, feelings or attitudes.
control of variables or factors affecting the study (Laursen 2010).
records findings quantitatively.
resents structured interviews, questionnaires and observational checklists.
16
2. Naturalistic Approach
A people-oriented approach focusing on discovering the real concept or
meaning behind people’s lifestyles and social relations.
Present things qualitatively through verbal language. Using words as
unit of analysis.
Bases determining universal social values to define ethical and
unethical that society ought to know, not only for the benefit of individual
and community but also for the satisfaction of man’s quest for
knowledge.” (Sarandakos 2013; Ransome 2013)

Example: Talking to ethnic groups or people with other culture in a natural

setting. In this case, the researcher uses unstructured interviews and the
participants’ answer/response is not scripted.

3. Triangulation/ Mixed Method

Allows a combination or a mixture of research designs, data collection
and data analysis techniques.
Enhance the validity and reliability of qualitative research design.
Enhances accuracy of interpretation.
Has an opportunity to view every angle of the research from different
perspectives.

(3) Main Methods of Data Collection

a. Interactive interviewing- people asked to verbally described their experiences

of phenomenon.

b. Written descriptions by participant- people asked to write descriptions of their

experiences of phenomenon.

c. Observation- descriptive observations of verbal and non-verbal behavior.

In the field of Humanities, researchers ought to focus not to man’s social life
but instead studies it’s meanings, significance and visualizations of man’s
experiences in the field of Fine Arts, Literature, Music, Drama, Dance and other
artistically inclined subjects.

Humanistic Categories
1. Literature and Art Criticism
Focus on language depends on interpretative and reflective thinking.

17
 2. Philosophical Research
The focus of inquiry is on knowledge and principles of being and on the
manner human beings conduct themselves on Earth.

3. Historical Research
Investigation centers on events and ideas that took place in man’s life at a
particular period.

II.Hard Sciences versus Soft Sciences 3

Quantitative Research Qualitative Research

Hard Sciences Soft Sciences

Studies natural data driven Studies human behavior in a
phenomenon. scientific manner.
Objective Subjective
Tests Theory Develops Theory
Numbers Words
Cause and Effect Relationship Knowing meaning & discovery
Statistical Analysis and Researcher’s interpretation
Generalizations
Examples: Examples:

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, Psychology, Political

Astronomy, Earth Science Science, Economics, Anthropology,
History

Qualitative and Quantitative Research can go together in a research

approach.
There is a symbiotic relationship between these two research methods,
in which they reinforce or strengthen each other.
Moreover, any form of knowledge, factual or opinionated and any
statistical or verbal expression of this knowledge are deduced from
human experience that is subjective. (Hollway 2013; Letherby 2013)

3
For more information on these hard sciences versus soft sciences, see Palasan, E.B (2018).
Qualitative Research: Importance in Daily Life [PowerPoint] available online with
http://www.slideshare.net.ppt.

18
Activity 1: Question and Answer
Directions: Answer the questions in 3-5 sentences. Write your answers in a space
provided.

1. What are the three types of approach to basic research? Describe each type.

2. How do you differentiate soft sciences from hard sciences?

What is it?

You just learned the importance of qualitative research across fields of inquiry.

1. Can you figure out the importance of qualitative research? Organize your ideas
by presenting three important functions of qualitative research.

19
 2. How do you inquire data in a certain field of study? Write your top three methods
when collecting data and describe each.

What’s more?
As a continuation on Lesson 1 of this Module from the table you have drawn
which listed your own three topics for a qualitative research , purpose and type to use
, add a fourth column as what approach of research you will use, and the fifth column
your choice of data collection. Copy your answers from the previous table to complete
column 1 to 3.
Topic Purpose Type of Research Data
Qualitative Approach Collection
Research Choice

Sample:
Post To determine the Triangulation Written
Traumatic experiences of Phenomenological or mixed description/
Experiences of those survivors Interview
the COVID-19 in the COVID-19
Survivors phenomena.

1.

2.

3.

20
 What I have learned

Given the following Research topics, name the specific subject on each topic
and give the importance on researching such topic in a person’s day to day life. The
first one is done for you.

1. Nutrient Contents of Spices and Herbs

2. Juan dela Cruz: A Filipino Inventor
3. Parents Views About The New Normal Education
4. Body Parts of a Korean Car
5. Bacteria in a Food
6. SHS Learners Study Habits
7. Medicinal Elements of Lemon Leaves
8. History Development of Asian Novels
9. Higa-onon Wedding Rites
10. The Nature of Corona Virus Disease

Topics Subject Importance of the Research

1 Spices and Herbs To know its nutrient content use as medicine

10

21
 What I can do

What are your views to the qualitative research across fields of inquiry? Is
research important? Why? Present your answers in various viewpoints in
terms of:

Sample: Health issues: Through qualitative research, we understand how

HIV patient go through bodily changes, etc.

1. Social:_

2. Economical

3. Political:

Additional Activities

Ask somebody whom you know has already done a research work or is
currently conducting a research study. Ask him the details of his study and tabulate
the results from your interview with him.
1. Title

2. Method of Research ( data gathering and data analysis)

3. Subject Area or areas of interest where the study belongs

22
 4. The importance of the research work

Assessment
Direction:
Read the following statements. Answer TRUE if the statement is true,
FALSE if you think it is not.

1.Research studies what happens in any field of knowledge.

_2.Scientific approach expresses and records your findings qualitatively.
_3.Triangulation or mixed method enhances accuracy and interpretation.
_4.Naturalistic approach is people oriented.
_5.A qualitative research is exclusive to both hard and soft sciences.
_6.Soft science studies human behavior in a scientific manner.
_7.The scientific approach gives stress to measurable and observable
facts instead of personal views, feelings, or attitudes.
_8.All research types apply to all data collecting techniques.
_9.Reasons happens in just one field of knowledge.
_10.Past events in a person’s life are the focus of triangulation.

23
24