Which approach to research uses qualitative data that deals on how people behave in the surroundings Brainly?

It’s tempting to define “qualitative research” by what it is not. It is not based on statistics or surveys or experiments; that is, it is not quantitative research.

But it’s also important to understand what qualitative research is – an approach used largely in the social sciences to explore social interactions, systems and processes. It provides an in-depth understanding of the ways people come to understand, act and manage their day-to-day situations in particular settings.

To put it simply, quantitative research uses numbers to help us understand “what” is happening (as well as “why” and “how” it is happening). Qualitative research uses words and images to help us understand more about “why” and “how” something is happening (and, sometimes “what” is happening).

Compare, for example, two studies that are both addressing the issue of long-term workers’ compensation claims. One is using quantitative methods to find out what is driving increases in the duration of lost-time claims over the last decade. Using administrative data from a workers' compensation board, the researchers are testing their hypotheses that claim duration may be associated with injury severity, a changing work environment or policy changes.

The other study uses qualitative methods to explore why and how some injured workers remain on workers’ compensation for long periods of time. Based on interviews with injured workers and service providers in Ontario, the study finds that workers with long-term claims often try hard to return to work but encounter many roadblocks beyond their control. These may include seemingly mundane problems such as incomplete medical forms and miscommunication among the workplace parties. Taken together, such challenges prevent workers’ return to work.

How qualitative research is done

Qualitative research collects information that occurs naturally; that is, it doesn’t set up experiments. The main methods for collecting research include:

• conducting interviews and focus groups, during which people retell their experiences, thoughts and actions;
• observing people in their own settings;
• analyzing documents (from government reports to personal diaries); and
• analyzing conversations (as contained in documents, speeches, interviews, etc.).

With this collected information, qualitative research can be used to:

• describe the nature of what exists and how it is experienced by those in it (i.e. context); e.g. help us understand the experience of having a long-term claim;
• explain why things exist as they do; e.g. help us understand the events leading to long-term claims, the circumstances in which long-term claims occur and why they continue to occur;
• evaluate the effectiveness of interventions that aim to change what exists; e.g. help us understand the quality of any programs put in place to reduce long-term claims; and
• generate suggestions for ways to improve things, or for potential areas of new research; e.g. help us understand strategies for supporting workers on long-term claims and helping people avoid them to begin with.

Qualitative versus quantitative

Qualitative and quantitative research are often discussed as two camps, with researchers belonging to one or the other. However, this us-versus-them scenario is quickly falling by the wayside. There is a growing understanding that the two types of research share much in common.

Both strive for reliability and validity of their data, and both have developed systematic methods of doing so. As well, both aim to produce results that can be generalized and practically applied to help understand and solve problems.

In fact, the two types of research can be complementary and part of the same “toolkit” when it comes to exploring an issue, as shown in the earlier example of research into long-term claims. The choice isn’t about one being more accurate, more objective or more in-depth than the other, but about what information the researchers are trying to find out.

Source: At Work, Issue 64, Spring 2011: Institute for Work & Health, Toronto

What is the definition of qualitative observation?

Qualitative observation is a research method in which researchers collect data using their five senses, sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. It is a subjective method of gathering information as it depends on the researcher’s sensory organs. This approach does not involve quantitative measurement; it only deals with data you can observe with your senses. 

Qualitative observation enables the researcher to observe, interact and gain a rich picture of participants in their natural environment. This data collection method allows you to better understand the processes, culture, or people under study. Qualitative observations are usually used by social scientists, sociologists, and psychologists to gain a more comprehensive understanding of human and animal behavior.

What are the characteristics of qualitative observation?

Below are some of the characteristics of qualitative observation to help you differentiate it from other research methods. 

Inductive 

Qualitative observation is inductive as the researcher is immersed in the research alongside the participants. The researcher establishes new questions as the study progresses. It is also not unusual for new hypotheses and theories to emerge during the research.

The researcher establishes new questions as the study progresses. There also is the possibility that new hypotheses and theories will emerge.

Naturalistic inquiry

Qualitative observation is a research method that involves studying the participants in an environment native to them. You can only use this research method when the natural environment for observation exists.  

Subjective

This approach solely depends on the observation of the researcher. So the results of qualitative observation can vary from person to person, depending on their skills, education, and background. 

No right or wrong answers

Unlike quantitative methods of data collection, qualitative observation does not seek a definite answer. It looks for characteristics and patterns to support the research hypothesis. Also, participants provide answers to the researcher’s questions based on their discretion. Hence, there are no right or wrong answers. 

Empathic neutrality

Researchers using the qualitative observation approach are expected to recognize their own biases when compiling their findings. 

Unique 

Each research study under qualitative observation is different from the other. So researchers using this method must always remember to give in-depth attention to each study. 

What are the types of qualitative observation?

There are several methods of qualitative observation. The main types of qualitative observation that researchers use include:

Direct observation

Here, the researcher collects subjective data about an object, phenomenon, or process without the participants knowing they are under investigation. 

Case studies

In this method, the researcher examines the participants based on specific issues or contexts. Researchers use this type of qualitative observation to identify trends or prove a hypothesis. 

Researcher as participant

In this case, the researcher becomes a natural part of a group to better understand the people or phenomenon under study. That is, you join the group without the other participants knowing that you are the researcher.

Interviews

In this method, the researcher asks the participants direct questions relating to the study. The interview is unstructured, so you can steer the discussion in whatever direction you like. 

What are qualitative observation examples?

Here are two qualitative observation examples to help you understand this research method better. 

Qualitative observation example 1 

A mental health doctor noticed one of his patients who has a mental health condition exhibiting concerning behavior. The doctor placed her under his direct observation to learn more about the particular patient and her condition. He documented the patient’s level of aggression, how she responded to stimuli like food and light, and her general appearance. Using the patient and information he got through qualitative observation as the basis for his hypothesis, he researched the mental condition and the new symptoms he discovered.

Qualitative observation example 2

A scientist utilized the qualitative observation approach to confirm the discovery of a new animal species. The scientist visited the species’ natural habitat to observe their physical appearance, sleep patterns, food gathering techniques, and reproductive behavior. The scientist documented what he observed with his sensory organs for several weeks and confirmed the discovery using the data collected.

Which approach to research uses qualitative data that deals on how people behave in the surrounding Brainly?

Which of the following type of research has the goal to make people understand their experiences about the death of their loved ones?

Which of the following refers to the study of how people find their experience meaningful?

What areas of concern would you like to study using qualitative type of research?