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Qualitative Methods - Graduate Specialists

Qualitative Methods

Welcome to the qualitative methods guide! Here, you will find information on qualitative methods research and ways the Rutgers University library can help you. Additionally, you may find information on upcoming workshops led by our specialist, Anastasia Perez

If you have any specific questions about a qualitative research project, would like to request a specialized workshop, or need an individual consultation, please reach out to our graduate specialist, Anastasia Perez, at amp680@scarletmail.rutgers.edu.

Workshops

There is currently one qualitative research workshop being offered by the Rutgers New Brunswick library:

Intermediate Level Interviewing Skills: Integrating Oral History into Qualitative Research

This intermediate-level workshop is designed for students and researchers looking to refine their interviewing skills and effectively incorporate oral history into qualitative research. We will explore best practices for conducting structured and semi-structured interviews, ethical considerations, data analysis techniques, and strategies for integrating interview data with other qualitative methods. Participants will gain insights into navigating complex interviews, handling sensitive topics, and ensuring rigor in qualitative research. This session is ideal for those with experience in research methods who want to enhance their ability to collect and analyze rich, narrative-driven data. 

Register for the workshop here.

Glossary

Qualitative Research: A type of research that focuses on collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, like text or descriptions, on gaining a deep understanding of people's experiences, perceptions, beliefs, and motivations, often through methods like in-depth interviews, focus groups, and observations, to answer "why" and "how" questions rather than "how many" or "how much.”
Oral Storytelling: A method of sharing knowledge, history, and experiences through spoken word. In research, it is used as a tool to understand how individuals make sense of their lives and communities.
Narrative Inquiry: A qualitative research method that uses storytelling to explore the meaning individuals assign to their experiences. It involves analyzing how stories are structured and what they reveal about identity, culture, and values.
Thematic Analysis: A method for identifying, analyzing, and reporting patterns or themes within qualitative data.
Narrative Analysis: A technique focusing on participants' stories to understand their experiences and perspectives.
Grounded Theory: A method for developing theory grounded in systematically gathered and analyzed data, commonly used for exploratory research.
Field Notes: Detailed notes recorded by researchers during or after their observations, capturing contextual insights and observations.
Reflexivity: The process of reflecting on the researcher’s influence, biases, and assumptions, ensuring transparency and ethical awareness in research.
Positionality: An awareness of how a researcher’s background, identity, and perspective may impact the research process and interpretation.
Focus Group: A qualitative method where a small group discusses a topic guided by a moderator, allowing for interaction and collective insights.
Triangulation: The use of multiple data sources, methods, or researchers to enhance the credibility and validity of research findings.
Case Study: An in-depth analysis of a specific individual, group, or event used to explore complex issues in real-world contexts.
Saturation: The point in data collection when no new themes or insights emerge, indicating sufficient data has been gathered.
Snowball sample: Where a researcher asks people who agree to be interviewed to put him or her in touch with others who fit the criteria 
Ethnography: A qualitative research approach involving immersion in a community to observe and understand cultural practices and narratives. Oral storytelling is often a key method in ethnographic work.
Purposive Sampling: The process of selecting participants based on specific characteristics relevant to the research question, often used in qualitative studies.
Emic vs. Etic Perspective: Emic refers to understanding from the insider’s (participant's) viewpoint, while etic involves an outsider’s (researcher’s) perspective.
Member Checking: A process where researchers share findings with participants to verify accuracy and resonance with their experiences.
Thick Description: Detailed, contextualized descriptions of social actions and interactions, aiming to convey meaning and cultural context.
Phenomenology: A qualitative approach that seeks to understand and describe individuals’ lived experiences regarding a particular phenomenon.

Recommended Readings

Weiss, Robert S. (1994). Learning from Strangers : The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies. 

Qualitative Research Methods: A DATA COLLECTOR’S FIELD GUIDE Free PDF 

Oral History Association Archives Principles and Best Practices Task Force, Archiving Oral History: Manual of Best Practices, Oral History Association, 2019.

WATCH: Fundamentals of Qualitative Research

Oral History Collections