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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

Workshops

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

Interviewing for Insight: Introductory Strategies and Skills for Data Collection in Qualitative Research 

The objective of this workshop is to equip participants with essential qualitative interview methods and practices, fostering confidence and readiness for research and project work. Participants, regardless of their experience level, will learn the fundamental skills for conducting interviews. We will review strategies for building rapport, crafting strategic questions, and actively listening to find meaningful insights. Participants will learn techniques for constructing questions, responding, handling sensitive topics, navigating cultural nuances, and recording data. This workshop is designed to be inclusive and is perfect for students new to qualitative research or those looking to deepen their skills in interviewing.

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.”
Participant Observation: A method where researchers immerse themselves in a community or setting, observing and interacting to gain deeper insights.
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 
Stratified sample: Some people from each of two or more defined subsamples, such as adults and children  
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 

WATCH: Fundamentals of Qualitative Research