Qualitative research is aimed at obtaining valuable data on the deep motivation of respondents and detailed information about the subject of research. Qualitative methods involve the collection of information in free form; they focus not on statistical measurements, but rely on understanding, explaining, and interpreting empirical data. Additionally, they represent the source of the formation of hypotheses and productive ideas (Yegidis et al., 2018). The purpose of qualitative research methods is to obtain exploratory data rather than a quantitative distribution of opinions. Simply put, the data obtained by qualitative methods do not answer the question “how much,” but the questions “what,” “how.” and “why”.
Qualitative research is used to collect information about inclinations, motivations, values, and moods. This method provides a deeper understanding of the processes occurring in the minds of respondents, helps to identify patterns and habits of behavior, and makes it possible to determine the cause of a particular reaction to certain stimuli, events, situations, etc. (Crandall et al., 2005). In particular, in the case under consideration, the research question in frames of a qualitative approach can be formulated as follows: “What is the role of the social and cultural background of recipients of the CalWORKs program in their social practices when being involved in the program?”
Such formulation of the research question and the rationale for choosing a qualitative approach is determined by the fact that this would allow tracing not only explicit but also implicit links between the variables. In turn, understanding these links can help regulators make effective modifications to the program, both in part of requirements for participants and mechanisms of social work and providing facilities. To this end, such a qualitative method as interviewing both regulator representatives and aid recipients seems to be the most optimal. The contact between the researcher and the respondent should take place on a non-hierarchical, discussion basis, as an act of social interaction; special attention is paid to the ‘language’ (manner) of the dispute. Interpretation of verbal and non-verbal responses should be undertaken whenever possible (Lietz & Zayas, 2010). These techniques will further enhance the effectiveness of the interview as a research method in situations of particular difficulty in social work.
The possibilities of qualitative research, including the analysis of socio-demographic dynamics, provide the following advantages: 1) social reality is constructed in the research process; 2) the ability to revise hypotheses during the research (Luke & Banerjee, 2012). Concerning the choice of a specific method of qualitative research, the most preferable option for this category of the population (among which many belong to vulnerable groups) is an in-depth interview. As a research method, it is a casual conversation between two people, in which one of the participants – the interviewer – remembers that in this situation he acts as a professional researcher, imitating the role of an equal interlocutor. In turn, the results of data obtained in the in-depth interview can be processed using the tools of grounded theory, as it would allow formulating categories describing the research problem and its possible solution in frames of constructing social reality.
Dear Katherine, your post shows your strong efforts to understand the essence of the qualitative approach to research questions. However, you provided only a general answer, while it would be expedient to list some possible areas of such research. At the same time, focusing on a question that would likely call for a qualitative study, you provided a well-grounded and conceptual answer, claiming that the choice is determined by the fact that it is based on reports of experiences. I would recommend increasing the number of factors you suggest to consider in your research question. Moreover, you did not specify the type of interviews you are going to conduct. Choosing the method of longitudinal ethnographic research seems to be rational, and you provide sound justification for your choice. However, your answers are too brief; although you showed a deep conceptual understanding of the issues, it would be expedient to provide more justification for your answers supported by more sources, while you used only one source.
References
Crandall, M., Senturia, K., Sullivan, M., & Shiu-Thornton, S. (2005). Latina survivors of domestic violence: Understanding through qualitative analysis. Hispanic Health Care International, 3(3), 179–187.
Lietz, C. A., & Zayas, L. E. (2010). Evaluating qualitative research for social work practitioners. Advances in Social Work, 11(2), 188-202.
Luke, N., & Banerjee, R. (2012). Maltreated children’s social understanding and empathy: A preliminary exploration of foster carers’ perspectives. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 21(2), 237–246.
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.