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Integrating Qualitative Research into

Quantitative Research

Module 3

Sessions 10&11

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Introduction

Synopsis: This session will entail a discussion on why and how to integrate qualitative research into quantitative research

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session participants should have developed an understanding of why and how to integrate qualitative research with quantitative research work. They should also appreciate the need for integrating qualitative into quantitative research approaches

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Content

Selecting a sample and collecting data using Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and Observation.

Output: participants will collect qualitative data using any of the qualitative methods

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Activities

Activity 1: Introduce qualitative research to the participants 30 min

Activity 2: Help the participants appreciate the complimentary role of qualitative methods 30min

Activity 3:Explain the different qualitative methods60min

Activity 4: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the methods above 30min

Activity 5: Practicals / Presentations within the participants 180min

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Why Integrate qualitative and quantitative methods

Basing on the strengths and weaknesses/advantages and disadvantages of quantitative methods used

For example: Results from the quantitative research can be generalized while those of qualitative may not

Quantitative research may answer: when, what, who, how but not why; which can be answered by qualitative research

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Cont’d

It is not for the sake of integrating the two methods; but some better results must be realized

Qualitative research is effective in identifying intangible factors such as social norms, gender roles, whose role in research may not be readily apparent

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Cont’d

Qualitative research emphasizes quality than quantity, depth more than breadth, insights rather than generalization

When used along with quantitative data, it helps interpret and better understand the complex reality of a given situation and the implications of quantitative data

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How to integrate the two methods:

Therefore, identify the strengths/weaknesses of the primary method

Then identify a secondary method which can fill in the gaps

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What is Qualitative Research?

This is a type of scientific Research which collects, analyzes and interprets data that cannot easily be reduced to numbers

This type of data relates to the social world and the concepts and behaviors of people within it

Qualitative research seeks to understand a given research problem or topic from the perspective/view point of the population under the study

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Cont’d

It seeks to promote greater understanding not only of the way things are, but also of why they are the way they are

It is works best in obtaining culturally specific information about the values, opinions, behaviors, and social contexts of a particular population

The purpose of qualitative research is to produce rich data from a sample chosen for its ability to speak to the issue

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Cont’d

Qualitative research emphasizes quality than quantity, depth more than breadth, insights rather than generalization

When used along with quantitative data, it helps interpret and better understand the complex reality of a given situation and the implications of quantitative data

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Characteristics of Qualitative Research

Asks why, how, and under what circumstances things occur

Seeks Depth of Understanding Views Social phenomena holistically Explores and discovers Provides insight into the meanings of

decisions and actions Uses interpretive and other open-ended

methods

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Cont’d

Is iterative rather than fixed Its is emergent rather than pre structured Involves respondents as active participants

rather than subjects Defines the investigator as an instrument in

the research process

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Qualitative research methods

These are several methods within this form of research of which are:-

Focus group discussions Key Informant Interviews Observations

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FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS

A group of 6-12 is assembled and engaged in an interaction to produce data and insights that would be less accessible without the interaction

The group put together should be fairly homogenous: Social status, experience/user status, sex, age etc

It useful in identifying normative issues, terms, perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, interpretation, from a group of individuals

Moderator is needed to guide and lead the discussion in a focused manner

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Cont’d

Note taker, in charge of note taking and non verbal communication

Tape recording is a requirement (ask for permission)

Planned in advance, debriefing sessions Is useful especially with beneficiaries This is a type of Qualitative Research in

which the researcher brings together small groups of people, 6–12 in number

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Cont’d

The Researcher plays the role of a modulator, and with an open instrument, the researcher engages the group in a discussion about the subject under investigation.

The group is homogeneous in terms of the relevant variables for the study.

It essentially relies on convenient sampling or Purposive sampling

If not well moderated with in depth probing may not yield enough data

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Cont’d

Dominating characters should be controlled Timid Characters encouraged to participate

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These FGDs are basically used for

securing background information Getting feed back from project beneficiaries Interpreting available quantitative data Project monitoring and evaluation Assessing responses to recommend for

innovations, policies etc

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Advantages of using Focus Group Discussions

It enables rapid generation of information It reduces individual inhibitions and hindrances It helps respondents to raise issues and

concerns that the investigation may not have considered

They allow an interaction between the respondents and the investigator, creating a more in depth understanding of peoples’ understanding and lives.

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Cont’d

Its flexibility allows the researcher to use the responses to frame relevant and necessary questions.

Its flexibility allows the researcher to use the responses to frame relevant and necessary questions.

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Disadvantages of using Focus Group Discussions

Empirical generalisations cannot be from the data

Liable to interviewer biases since these are no structural questions

May lead to fear of giving personal sensitive information

Despite the presence of the moderator, there are people who always dominate and those who cannot express themselves in-group discussions.

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Note: The role of moderator:

to control those who may dominate the discussion

to encourage those who may not feel free to talk

to probe in case need arises

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Key Informant Interviews

These are informal interviews directed to the knowledgeable people about the problem.

These respondents may not necessarily be under the problem, but only with a sufficient knowledge

These informants should be selected carefully to reflect diverse views and concerns.

An interview guide with issues to be covered is used and it is carried out in an informal atmosphere.

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Cont’d

Probes to elicit more information are made

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Selected Sample

Any individual from which data can be secured

Experts/Individuals who hold special positions

Have special/unique insights/experiences

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It is most appropriate when:

A general descriptive information is sufficient for decision making

It is necessary to know why a particular group of people behave the way they do

More light/interpretation is needed on the available quantitative data.

The primary purpose of the study is to generate suggestions and recommendations.

There is a need for proper questionnaire design, hypothesis and propositions for further testing and refinement.

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Advantages

Since it is from knowledgeable persons, it reveals in-depth, inside information, to the extent of providing confidential information, which may not be the case in a formal setting

It is cheap to conduct this kind of interview It reveals new ideas, relevant to the study, which

may not have been anticipated, in the planning process.

Easy to locate potential respondents willing to give the information.

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Disadvantages

The information cannot be generalised and therefore less reliable (ie incase it is biased).

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Observations

Observation is “a purposive or intentional examination of something, particularly for purposes of data gathering” (Chaplain 1968)

It is a careful watching and noting phenomena as they occur in their natural setting

Observation falls in two categories: Physical things like cars, buildings, chairs etc Social process eg social behaviour, culture,

community relationships etc

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Cont’d

It is based on a checklist or a form with what to be observed

A detailed schedule with what to observe and how recordings are to be done is a requirement

There are basically three forms of observation:

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Non-Participant observation

May observe without participating e.g observing a session

In this form of observation, there is careful watching and noting of events as they occur in their natural setting, without the Researcher’s participation. This form of observation has some problems:

a) It is easy to identify the researcher since he is a stranger to the observed.

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Cont’d

Some salient aspects may not be observed by the researcher.

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Observation with some participation:

This is where in addition to observation, the researcher takes part in some activities. The problems involved include:-

The researcher may not observe some other aspects in which he does not take part.

The researcher may also fail to get real meaning of the practices leading to misinterpreting the information due to his own perceptions.

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Participant Observation:

Participant Observation brings the researcher into direct interaction with people and their activities

Participation in the lives of the community, to observe the daily activities of people, to obtain an inside view of the situation

Insider’s or outsider’s perspective Involvement may be limited due to race, sex

and other physical factors

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Cont’d

In addition to observing the subjects, the researcher shares in the life and activities of those under investigation.

This requires living in the community for a considerable period of time. This help to eliminate suspension and the subjects won’t continuously change behaviour. It also gives adequate time to study the events and practices under investigation and helps the observer to can understand and properly interpret the practices

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This form of observation has some problems

Possibility of failing to play a dual role of a participant and an observer, one of the two may be compromised.

Once the observer is identified, he may fail to observe each and every aspect of the practice

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Advantages of observation

Able to see and observe what exactly takes place in its natural form without any distortion – first hand information

Data collected is up to date and there is no memory failure

Additional unexpected information may be got Can be used when studying those who can not

express themselves eg children, the deaf etc It removes intentional lying eg about income Removes error due to translation

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Disadvantages of observation

In case of any suspicion, the subjects have the potential to change their behaviour and act otherwise.

There is time constraint, in that some activities take place once for a period of time, so the researcher has to wait until that activity is performed.

Some events are exclusive to none members and in such cases it is impossible to do observation.

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Cont’d

In case of observer bias, the observer may select on the activities that are more interesting, and the results may not be complete

Can not get information on the past or future events Without enough skills, the results may not be

exhaustive and may not describe in totality the events in the field.

There may be unfair and poor representative ness of things to observe. The observer may fail to select a representative sample of aspects to observe

Can not get frequency of events

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Sampling in qualitative Research

Looking at insights, depth rather than generalizations

So Sampling is Purposive Selecting a Sample for the qualitative study is

not haphazard but neither is it bound by rigid rules of reproducibility

Sampling Techniques

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Cont’d

Qualitative design is to explore depth, the investigator carefully selects cases than can typify or shed light on the object of study

Purpose rather than statistical probability of selection

Purposive strategies Purposive strategies are linked to the

purpose of the study

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Practicals

Select a sample from among the participants/community and conduct a FGDs/kii/observation research

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