Components of qualitative research

Just as quantitative research methods commonly adhere to the scientific process, a rigorous qualitative research process has essential components that require consideration for scholars to think of a study as credible and trustworthy. These components guide a research project toward appropriate theories, methods, and analytical strategies. After all, you might like to conduct a focus group if it is your favorite qualitative method, but do your research questions call for using focus groups? Do the theoretical foundations embedded in your research make focus groups an appropriate data collection strategy? Do you have a comprehensive theoretical framework to adequately capture the insights you need from focus group data?

Knowing the answers to these questions is important to presenting a credible and persuasive study. With that in mind, here are the necessary elements typically found in qualitative research:

Theoretical perspective

The theoretical perspective is the philosophical stance or worldview that underlies the researcher's approach to understanding the phenomenon of interest. This perspective can shape the entire course of the study, from defining the research question to selecting the methodology, analyzing the data, and interpreting the findings. It often involves broad assumptions about society and human behavior, and it can be informed by theories from a variety of disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, or anthropology. For example, a researcher with a constructivist perspective may seek to understand how individuals construct their own realities. In contrast, a researcher with a postmodern perspective may focus on the power dynamics and social constructions that shape people's experiences.

Theoretical framework

The theoretical framework is the lens through which the research question is viewed and examined. It is the application of a specific theoretical perspective to the phenomenon under investigation. It may involve one or multiple theories or models, which provide a conceptual structure for interpreting and understanding the research data. The theoretical framework guides the development of research questions and hypotheses, and it shapes the design of the study, including the data collection and analysis methods. Importantly, the theoretical framework also provides a basis for making logical inferences and generalizations from the research findings. For example, a researcher studying the impact of social media on body image might draw on social comparison theory to frame their investigation.

Literature review

The literature review is a rigorous and systematic examination of the body of knowledge that has been published on a particular topic. It provides an understanding of the current state of knowledge, identifies key concepts and variables relevant to the research question, and uncovers gaps or inconsistencies in the existing literature that the current research can address. It involves a careful selection and critical appraisal of studies, with the aim of understanding the strengths and limitations of previous research. In addition to summarizing and synthesizing the findings of previous studies, the literature review should also discuss how the current study fits within the broader research context. For instance, in the case of research on social media's impact on body image, the literature review might highlight different aspects of the issue that have been studied, such as the role of peer comparison, the impact of influencers, and the effect of different types of social media platforms.

Research question

The research question is a specific question or set of questions that the research aims to answer. The research question is typically informed by the theoretical perspective, theoretical framework, and literature review. The question you pursue will determine which qualitative methods are appropriate for your research, or it may even steer you toward quantitative methods. A study that investigates customer perspectives may warrant surveys or focus groups. An analysis of discourses may rely on a detailed coding process or content analysis methods to measure the use of certain expressions or words. An inquiry about cultural processes can call for an ethnographic research method for collecting qualitative data in the field for thorough understanding.

Conceptual framework

The conceptual framework serves as a roadmap for the research process, providing a clear picture of the proposed study. It's a researcher's individual interpretation of how the key parts of the study — the variables or concepts — are expected to relate to each other. This framework typically includes a set of concepts or variables that are directly related to the research question, as well as a set of propositions or hypotheses about how these concepts or variables are interconnected. While the conceptual framework may draw from multiple theoretical perspectives, it is tailored specifically to the research question at hand and the specific context of the study. For example, in a study on the impact of online learning on student performance, the conceptual framework may include variables such as the frequency of online classes, student engagement, access to technology, and academic achievement. It might propose that a higher frequency of online classes and greater access to technology lead to increased student engagement, which in turn boosts academic performance. The conceptual framework also guides the data collection and analysis process, helping researchers to stay focused on the research objectives and to interpret their findings in a meaningful way. It ensures a systematic and rigorous approach to the research, and it provides a framework for reporting the research findings and for discussing their implications. Importantly, a well-developed conceptual framework can also make the research more credible and understandable to others, and it can help to identify potential limitations and areas for future research.