Qualitative Research

Methods

Dr. N. Nakkeeran
Assistant Professor
Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar
Ph: 91 79 40240444; Mobile – 91 9913388528
Fax: 91 79 40240445
E-mail – nnakkeeran@gmail.com
 Communicating across cultures

An English lady decides to buy a house in

Switzerland. So she visits Switzerland to see the
house. On her return after seeing the house, she
realizes that she forgot to see the toilet of her new
house. So she writes to the real estate agent asking
him about the details of the W.C.

The estate agent has very little knowledge of the

English language and so asks a parish priest to
translate the letter to him. The only equivalent of
W.C that the parish priest can think off is the way
side chapel. This is the reply the English lady got
from him.
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the W.C. is
situated nine miles from the house in the center of
beautiful pine groves surrounded by lovely grounds.
It's capable of holding 250 people and is open only on
Sundays and Thursdays. As there are a great number
of people expected there during the summer months,
I suggest that you come early. Although there is
usually a standing room this is an unfortunate
situation, especially if you are in the habit of going
there regularly.
It may be of some interest to you to note that my
daughter got married there and it was there where
she met her husband first. I can remember the rush
for seats there. There were 10 people for each seat
usually occupied by one. It will be really wonderful to
see the expression on their faces.
It will be very interesting for you to note that a good
number of people bring their lunch there and make a
day of it while those who can afford to go by car
arrive just in time. I would especially recommend
you're ladyship to go there only on Thursday's when
there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustic is
very clear here and the most delicate sounds can be
heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell
donated by a wealthy resident of the district. It rings
every time a person enters. I shall most delighted to
reserve the best possible seat for you where you can
be seen by all. My wife is rather delicate and she
cannot go there regularly and you will be surprised to
note that it's one year since she went there last.
Naturally, it pains her very much when the mention
of W.C is made to her. Hoping to be of some service
to you.
Regards,
Estate Agent
 MODASA IIPHG.xls
Qualitative Research Methods
 In-depth Techniques

 Key Informant Interview

 Participant Observation
 Focus Group Discussion
 Key-Informant Interview
 Unstructured –informal interview
 There is a total lack of structure or control
(Everything is negotiable, an informant is free
to treat a question as s/he likes)
 No written set of questions
 Conducted usually in natural settings
 No formal role of the interrogator
 As the study progress the interview may get a
little more structured, controlled, and focused.
 Subsequently an interview guide or checklist
may be used
 Participant Observation
 It involves getting close to people and
making them feel comfortable enough
with your presence so that you can
observe and record information about
their lives. It involves establishing
rapport in a new community
 Is always combined with informal
interviews.
 Ethnographic work primarily depend on
unstructured interview and participant
interview
 Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
 FGs usually have 6 to 12 members,
preferably 8-10 members who are willing
to talk on the issue under consideration,
plus a moderator and a note-taker.
 Selection of members is by criteria or
through random sampling
 Members should be homogenous with
respect to our issue of our concern
 Group has to be supportive and non-
judgmental.
 Participants should ideally speak one at a
time.
 FGD - II
 Everyone should participate more or less
equally.
 The entire discussions should be recorded
- including the verbal and non-verbal
communication taking place, speakers'
identity, arrival and departure of
participants as well as to back-up the
moderator.
 Duration should not be too short or too
long. An hour and a half are fine.
 More than one FGDs have to be conducted
 Role of moderator is very crucial
 Strengths of In-depth Methods
 Very versatile and flexible – can be used
with any group, for any situation
 Very high validity
 Excellent for establishing rapport
 To focus by exploring in greater depth
the problems to be investigated -
Research definition & develop hypothesis
 Strengths - II

 To formulate appropriate questions for

more structured survey instruments (or
even appropriate messages for
education modules)
 To orient oneself to a new field, to
generate vocabularies
 To bring out variations in responses
across groups and over time
 Weakness / Situations where
Qualitative Methods should not
be preferred

 Requires longer time

 Cannot be used to test hypothesis
 Cannot be used for wider
generalisation
 Where quantification is the intention
 Data recording
 Field Jottings
 Field Diary
 Audio / Video tapes
 Photographs
 Transcripts
 Log
 Data Reduction

 Coding
 Notes / Memos - Methodological
Notes, Descriptive Notes, Analytic
Notes
 Case Studies
 Life Histories
 Pictorial Representations

 Timelines
 Flow diagrams
 Matrices
 Network diagrams (Classifications)
 Maps
 Other Schematic diagrams
 Data Analysis
 Inextricably linked with Data
collection, data reduction and theory
building
 Concurrent
 Inductive
 Iterative
 Emergent
 Grounded
 Data Analysis (II)
 Find out if an observation is an isolated event
or more common / frequent.
 Look for it in a wide range of situations:
• Different groups
• Different areas / locations
• Different time
 Is it salient / central?
 Are there any variants of it? (Including
negative cases)
 Is it indicative of a more basic / fundamental
aspect?
 Content analysis
• Text Management Programs: Atlas Ti, Ethnograph
• Quasi statistics
 Rapid Assessment Procedures

 Transect (walk).
 Mapping (Social Mapping, Body Mapping)
 Seasonal Calendar.
 Venn/Institutional Diagram.
 Pie Chart/Histogram.
 Daily Routine Diagram.
 Flow/causal Diagram
 Timelines
 Indigenous Categories and Terms,
Taxonomies, Ethnoclassification
 Systematic Techniques

 Free Listing.
 Pile Sorts.
 Rating Scales.
 Rank Order Methods
THANK YOU