Qualitative research uses the collection and study of non-numerical data to learn more about how people act, think, and feel.
Here are some ways to look at the results of a qualitative research study:
Thematic analysis is the process of using systematic coding to find trends and themes in a set of data. To find themes, people look at how often, how similar, and how important certain ideas or concepts are.
Grounded theory: Instead of testing a claim that has already been made, this method builds a theory or explanation from the facts. It is a cycle that includes gathering data, analyzing it, and coming up with a theory.
Discourse analysis is the study of how language and speech are used to make sense and shape social interactions. It means looking at how the data is written, such as how it uses metaphors, stories, and persuasive techniques.
Content analysis is the process of looking at the information in papers or media to find themes or patterns. It involves putting the content into groups or coding it by theme in an organized way.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) is the study of how people make sense of their own experiences. It involves a careful look at the person’s story, finding major themes and patterns and figuring out what they mean in light of bigger theoretical ideas.
In qualitative research, figuring out what the data mean is an ongoing process that requires reading, coding, and analyzing the data often. It is important to keep an open mind and be aware of the biases and assumptions you have about other people. The final interpretation of the facts should be based on the data and supported by evidence, not on theories or ideas that were already formed.
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