Qualitative Research: The Concept & Methodologies

Dr. Said AldhafriThe Research Council – Social Observatory

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Scientific Reseach

Development

TRC was established in 2005 as a policy-making

body and funding agency to encourage the

promotion and application of research,

innovation and science.

The Research Council ( TRC )

Create an innovation

ecology that is

responsive to local

needs and

international trends,

fosters social harmony,

and leads to creativity

and excellence.

Regional hub of innovation –

leader in producing new ideas,

products and services

Significant research capacity

Research excellence in selectedareas

Receptive to local social and economic needs – with alacrity!

Infrastructure for evidence-basedpolicy decisions

Research Capacity

Research Excellence

Knowledge Transfer

EnablingEnvironment

Mission Vision Goals

The Research Council ( TRC )

In Line with the National Research Strategy (2008-2020), a Gradual

Approach Has Been Designed to Build on Existing Capabilities and

Generate Wealth

2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020

Develop strategic scenarios

Input from local and

international experts

Design overall

and sectorial

long-term strategies

Define mission

,visions

andgoals

Identify nationalpriorities

Assess currentcapacit

y

Design

mid-term plans

Identifygaps

Identify currentirritants

Define short-term

actions

Investment in next

generation research

Orientation of resources to priority areas

Expansion of current

research capacity

“Teach me how to fly”

“Put me on the right track”

“Get hurdles out of my way”

The Strategy Outlined a Number of Programs to be Implemented Covering the Full

Spectrum of the Research and Innovation Cycle

The Research Council ( TRC )

Research Sectors in TRC

Culture, Basic & Social Sciences (CBSS)

Education & Human

Resources (HER)

Information & Communications

Technologies (ICT)

Health and Social Services

(HSS)

Energy and industry (EI)

Environmental

& Biological Resources (EBR)

Research

Sectors

Programs &

Research

Open Research Grants (ORG)

Program

The Strategic Research Grant

Program

Research Chairs

Program

Research Centers Program

Research Programs in TRC

FURAPFaculty-Mentored

Undergraduates Research

Award Program

GRSPGraduate Research

Support Program

Open Research Grants Program (ORG)

Aims at enhancing research capacity in the Sultanate of Oman by

allocating unlimited funding for equipment, graduate students and

other operational expenses.

Approved Funds (OMR) Per Sector 2009 - 2016

ICT, 1,286,349.

00

CBSS, 1,888,087.

00

EI,

3,895,407.0

0

HSS,

4,770,763.00

EBR, …

HER, 1,755,885.

00

0

20

40

60

80

100

ICT CBSS E&I HSS EBR E&HR

47 50

74

86

6958

18 15

3441

30 28

received proposals Funded proposals

received and funded proposals (2009-2016)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

ICT CBSS E&I HSS EBR E&HR

58

1411

24

1

18

9

2224

3028

phD Mcs

Students benefiting from Funded Proposal (2009-2016)

Open Research Grants Indicators

FURAP Award

1. FURAP projects are encouraged to compete for the program

Research Award. The awarding ceremony is usually held as part of

the Annual Research Forum (ARF). Each institution nominates the

best project in each of the six sectors to compete with other

institutions.

2. Evaluation Committees appointed by TRC will select the winning

project in each sector.

3. Winning projects must participate with poster/oral presentations at

the ARF.

GRSP- Indicators

Graduate Research Support Program (GRSP)

Organization No. of Proposals Total Budget (OMR)

OMSB 4 12,332

SQU 1 5,000

OMC 1 5,000

MoH 1 5,000

AOU 1 4,900

MC 1 3,200

Grand Total 9 35,432

Average 3937

Graduate Research Support Program

(GRSP), 2014

Annual Research Forum and National Research Award (NRA)

Encourage researchers to continue their activities and initiatives in

conducting high quality research.

Encourage the development of the research culture and enhance the

quality of the research output in the Sultanate of Oman.

Increase research output, that is relevant and important to the

Sultanate of Oman.

Increase the level of awareness about TRC and its various initiative and programs to support research

and innovation

Two Award Categories

PhD holders

Young Researchers

Award value 2000 OMR per category per sector

Objectives

Road Safety

Research Program

DubasResearch Program

Social Observatory

Research Program

Renewable Energy

Strategic Program

Omani Cultural Heritage Research Program

Red Alga Bloom

Strategic Research Program

Food Safety

Strategic Research Program

Non-communic

able diseases (NCD)

Strategic Research Program

The Strategic Research Grants Program

Aims at finding solutions for issues of national importance by calling for proposals locally and internationally.

Water Research Strategic Program

Themes of the Strategic Program

Crash analysis

Legal and Compliance

Issues

Behavior and Social Issues

Trauma Care Services

Road Safety Research Program

Road Traffic Accidents are a growing critical issue in and

need of sustainable solutions

Steering Committee

Royal Oman Police

The Research Council

Sultan Qaboos University

MOT

Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources

Petroleum Development Oman

Ministry of Manpower

Muscat Municipalities

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Social Development

Steering Committee

Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesThe Research Council Ministry of Environment and Climate AffairsSultan Qaboos UniversityRoyal Court AffairsMinistry of Health

Dubas is the most destructive sucking pestattacking date palms in Oman, as well as inother countries around the world.

Recorded in Oman since 1962.

Themes of the Strategic Program

Ecology and Biology of Dubas and its Natural

Enemies.

Insecticides Screening and Resistance Management.

Improve the monitoring and evaluation of

infestation.

Socio-economics and cultural practices.

Developing Integrated Management for Dubas Bug in the Sultanate of Oman

Social Observatory Research Program (SORP)

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The Social Observatory Research Program (SORP) aimsto contribute to social well-being through monitoringsocial trends and phenomena and responding withresearch-based solutions.

Work & Standard of

Living

Youth Values

Family Cohesion

Themes of the Strategic Program

Steering Committee

Ministry of Social Development

The Research Council

Ministry of Health

National Centre for Statistics and Information

National Centre for Statistics and Information

Sultan Qaboos University

Ministry of Finance

Organizing 11 workshops related to social research and data collection

Preparing a national study in youth values and finishing data collection of more than 10000

participants across the country

Achievements

Social Observatory Research Program (SORP)

Renewable Energy Strategic research program

Mission:

To conduct high quality scientific, experimental research to seek and propose

real solutions for national challenges of renewable energy and energy

efficiency. The outcomes will enhance the capacity building, knowledge

transfer and will contribute to achieve the national vision to contribute by 10%

in the energy generation by 2030.Steering Committee

The Research Council

Public Authority for Electricity and Water

Sultan Qaboos University

Authority for Electricity Regulation

Ministry of Finance

Public Establishment for Industrial Estates

Special Economic Zone Authority –Duqm

Ministry of Defiance

Research

themes

Omani Cultural Heritage Research Program

In collaboration with Public Authority of Radio and Television, The

Research Council has initiated a strategic research program in Omani

Cultural Heritage.

Program objectives

1. Promoting cultural heritage research in Oman

2. Strengthening the role of cultural heritage in

sustainable development in Oman

3. Carrying on scientific research in material

and non-material Omani cultural heritage

Steering Committee

Public Authority for Radio and Television

The Research Council

Ministry of Culture and Heritage

National Museum

Sultan Qaboos Higher Center for culture and science

Oman National Commission for Education, Culture and science

Public Authority for craft industries

Ministry of Tourism

2 Experts

Food Safety and Quality Strategic Research Program

Steering Committee

Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water ResourcesThe Research CouncilSultan Qaboos UniversityGeneral Authority for Consumer ProtectionMinistry of Commerce and IndustryMinistry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesMinistry of HealthMuscat MunicipalityDhofar Municipality

Themes of the Strategic Program

Food Safety Risks and Mitigation

The halal food requirements

Food regulatory framework

The Dietary Patterns and Food Databanks

Food safety for public consumption is an

increasingly important issue and the number of

recorded deaths annually associated with food

and water up to (2.000.000) deaths

Source: World Health Organization

Red Alga Bloom Research Program

Steering Committee

Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesThe Research Council Ministry of Environment and Climate AffairSultan Qaboos UniversityPublic Authority for Electricity and WaterMinistry of HealthMinistry of Foreign Affairs

Themes of the Strategic Program

Investigating the Environmental Conditions triggering HAB’s

Investigating the environmental, economic and health impacts caused by HAB’s

Taxonomical work to be familiar with existing species and their environment

Assessing methodology and facilities used to mitigate HAB’s.

In sultanate , it has been recorded the

deaths of about 200 tons of fish between

the months of October 2008 and March

2009 because of harmful alga blooms

Water Research Strategic Program

Main Theme of symposium“Managing Water Resources for Sustainable Development”

University of Tokyo (2-3 October 2014)

TRC board approved a proposal to establish the

program in 2016 as part of the recommendations

of the third symposium for Sultan Qaboos

Scientific Chairs which was organized by Sultan

Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Sciences.

Recommendations of Symposium

Support of Water Research

Allocation of awards in water sciences

Smart City Strategic Program

The Chair of Nanotechnology for Water Desalination

Research Chair of Material Sciences

Aims at establishing centers of research excellence in focused areas of national priority.

1

2

Research Chair of Biodiversity Conservation (focusing on Frankincense & Medicinal plants)

3

Research Chair Program

Oman Center for Animal & Plant Genetic Resources

Institute of Advance Technology Integration

Aims at establishing platforms for applied research and development in market-‐oriented

technologies and to provide a training environment for postgraduate students.

1

2

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Research Centers Program

Research Culture

How to Develop Research

Universities Role

Daily Practices of Research

How to Develop Research

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Qualitative Research

Comparing Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Before discussing the differences between qualitative and quantitative methodologies

one must understand the foundational similarities.

=?

Foundational Similarities

All qualitative data can be measured and coded using quantitative methods.

Quantitative research can be generated from qualitative inquiries.

Example: One can code an open-ended interview with numbers that refer to data specific references, or such references could become the origin of a randomized experiment.

Foundational Differences

The major difference between qualitative and quantitative research stems from the researcher’s underlying strategies.

Quantitative research is viewed as confirmatory and deductive in nature.

Qualitative research is considered to be exploratory and inductive.

The distinction between qualitative

and quantitative research is not

precise. Most qualitative work has

some form of quantitative analysis

involved, and visa-versa.

Problem Method Data CollectionSupport or Reject

Hypotheses

Process: How Quantitative

Research Really Works…

Process in Qualitative Research

An Iterative

Approach

(Inductive

Analysis)

1) research

topic/questions

2) sampling, site

selection

3) data gathering

4) analysis

5) write-up

4) more analysis

Field work

Goals of Qualitative Social Research

Giving voice

Interpreting cultural and historical phenomena Due to the fact that there are often many aspects

involved in historical research, and because many of thematerials are not specifically quantitative in nature

Advancing new theories “Inductive logic”; it goes from a specific case to a general

case

qualitative cases are often more in-depth, and give afuller picture of phenomena than quantitative cases

Qualitative Field Research

Produces observations not easily reduced tonumbers

Includes a range of data collection methodsincluding field notes, one-to-one and focusgroup interviews, as well as some forms ofcontent analysis and historical analysis

Good for studying social process; How doesthis come about?

Qualitative Research Stereotypes

is not generalizable

The sample is too small to say anything / is not a random sample / not representative

Very interesting, but can you show me some data that supports your claims?

the researcher’s presence in the setting biases the results

lacks rigor, procedure is unsystematic

Qualitative Research – Distinctive Points of Emphasis, Priorities

Naturalistic Observation – how things unfold

out in the real world (uncontrived)

Interested in Subjective Meanings (of

Research Subjects) – ascertaining and

analyzing the actor’s point of view (opinion,

attitude, belief, value)

Inductive Analysis – on the side of theory

discovery rather than theory testing

Qualitative Research

Terminology

Methods

Strengths and weaknesses

Terminology

Grounded theory

Ethnography

Field research

Grounded Theory

Grounded theory refers to an inductive process of generating theory from data.

This is considered ground-up or bottom-up processing.

Grounded theorists argue that theory generated from observations of the empirical world may be more valid and useful than theories generated from deductive inquiries.

Grounded Theory (con’t)

Grounded theorists criticize deductive reasoning since it relies upon a priori assumptions about the world.

However, grounded theory incorporates deductive reasoning when using constant comparisons.

In doing this, researchers detect patterns in their observations and then create working hypotheses that directs the progression of the inquiry.

Ethnography

Ethnography emphasizes the observation of details of everyday life as they naturally unfold in the real world. This is sometimes called naturalistic research.

Ethnography is a method of describing a culture or society. This is primarily used in anthropological research.

Field Research

Field research is a general term that refers to a group of methodologies used by researchers in making qualitative inquiries.

The field researcher goes directly to the social phenomenon under study and observes it as completely as possible.

Field Research (con’t)

The natural environment is the priority of the field researcher. There are no implemented controls or experimental conditions to speak of.

Such methodologies are especially useful in observing social phenomena over time.

Methods

Participant observation

Direct observation

Unstructured or intensive interviewing

Case studies

Participant Observation

The researcher literally becomes part of the observation.

Example: One studying the homeless may decide to walk the streets of a given area in an attempt to gain perspective and possibly subjects for future study.

Direct Observation

Direct observation is where the researcher observes the actual behaviors of the subjects, instead of relying on what the subjects say about themselves or others say about them.

Example: The observation booth at a college may be used for direct observation of behavior where survey or other empirical methodologies

may seem inappropriate.

Unstructured or IntensiveInterviewing

This method allows the researcher to ask open-ended questions during an interview.

Details are more important here than a specific interview procedure.

Here lies the inductive framework through which theory can be generated.

Case Studies A particular case study may be the focus of any

of the previously mentioned field strategies.

The case study is important in qualitative research, especially in areas where exceptionsare being studied.

Example: A patient may have a rare form of cancer that has a set of symptoms and potential treatments that have never before been researched.

Focus Groups Establishing the Group

Small group

Coordination Issues

Paying your subjects

Finding a place

Need at least two research team members;facilitation and note-taking

Purpose: RICH DATA not generalizability

Focus Groups

Advantages

Real-life data in a social setting

Flexibility

Speedy results

Low in cost

Group Format generates discussion

Focus Group Disadvantages

Groupthink

Less control than one-to-one interview

Data more difficult to analyze

Moderators need to be skilled

Differences between groups can be troublesome

Difficult to coordinate

Reliability issues

Recording process

Probing and Follow-Up Questions

INTERVIEWER TRAINING IS CRITICAL

Participation Action Research (PAR) Explicitly and implicitly, PAR has a goal of meeting

community needs and/or giving back to the communities ofresearch

With PAR, the communities of research are included as“experts” in deciding the focal point of research (problemconceptualization); and investigation strategy (researchdesign) to help the community.

Research is conceived as a tool of communityempowerment.

You as researcher are guide.

This is a substantial departure from traditional models whereresearch expert objectifies subjects of research, extracts data,and leaves without further contact.

Qualitative Interviewing

Good technique for researchers lessinterested in “variables” and moreinterested in how individualssubjectively see the world and makesense of their lives

Who are you going to talk to?

Theoretical Sampling

Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss; 1967;The Discovery of Grounded Theory

The data collection, coding and analysisprocesses occur ongoing providing usdirection for who needs to be talked to next…and perhaps new types of questions thatneed to be asked

When do you quit interviewing? Theoretical Saturation

You quit interviewing when you have reached “theoreticalsaturation”

exhausted the variation in data patterns emerging; no newthemes are being offered by added interviews

Example: Midwifery Research; Rationale for choosinghomebirth

Natural life event, Control and Empowerment, Safety, Careavailability, Quality of Care

You are presenting the set of of ideas, patterns, practiceswhich were communicated in interviews (# that talkedabout each does not matter). However, if only 1 person outof 30 mentions something, it would not e included in the setof “themes” in the analysis.

Introduction and Building Rapport explain purpose again

verbal confidentiality assurance (and go over form)

no right or wrong answers…

o.k. to ask questions and clarify

ask permission to record

Your Questions If flexible format… list of things to be sure to talk about

To get rich data: PROBE AND FOLLOW

You and the Interview: attending, listening,thinking, taking notes, taping note taking – clarify something; to keep you focused

silence and patience – balanced with keeping the interview going

redirect long-winded tangents back to your line of focus

After the Interview: Writing up the Interview and…

Summary and notes of main points

Verbatim transcripts (don’t let them pile up)

Ideas – tentative pieces of analysis

Methodological difficulties

Personal emotional experience

Responding to interviewee requests; emotionalissues?

Ethical Issues

Participants are not given the right to consent

Some of the archival records contain sensitive data

Researchers need to show the necessity for good measuresto protect the rights of the participants

Must have IRB approval

Evaluating the Data The data from low-constraint research is a rich set of

information

Data usually needs to be coded to providesimplification and organization

The analyses will depend on the questions and thelevel of data produced after coding

Must be cautious in interpreting data from low-constraint research

Strengths and Weaknesses

Objectivity

Reliability

Validity

Generalizability

Limitations

Poor representativeness

Poor replicability

Limitations of the observer

Going Beyond the Data

Objectivity

It is given that objectivity is impossible in qualitative inquiry. Instead the researcher locates his/herself in the research.

Objectivity is replaced by subjective interpretation and mass detail for later analysis.

Reliability

Since procedure is de-emphasized in qualitative research, replication and other tests of reliability become more difficult.

However, measures may be taken to make research more reliable within the particular study (such as observer training, or more objective checklists, and so on).

Validity

Qualitative researchers use greater detail to argue for the presence of construct validity.

Weak on external validity.

Content validity can be retained if the researcher implements some sort of criterion settings.

Generalizability

Results for the most part, do not extend much further than the original subject pool.

Sampling methods determine the extent of the study’s generalizability.

Purposive sampling strategies are used to broaden the generalizability.

BIG DATA

Summing Up Remember that there are always trade-offs

in research.

Are you willing to trade detail for generalizability?

Will exploratory research enable you to generate new theories?

Can you ask such sensitive questions on a questionnaire?

Summing Up (con’t)

Will the results add any evidence toward any pre-existing theory or hypothesis?

Is FUNDING available for this research?

Do you really need to see numbers to support your theories or hypotheses?

Are there any ethical problems that could be minimized by choosing a particular strategy?

Thank you very much

aldhafri@squ.edu.om

saidaldhafri@gmail.com