Historique
Article de Périodique
What is qualitative in qualitative research (2019)
Auteur(s) :
ASPERS, P. ;
CORTE, U.
Année
2019
Page(s) :
139-160
Sous-type de document :
Revue de la littérature
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Domaine :
Drogues illicites
Thésaurus mots-clés
SOCIOLOGIE
;
ETUDE QUALITATIVE
;
RECHERCHE
;
EPISTEMOLOGIE
;
METHODE
;
MESURES QUALITATIVES
;
CANNABIS
;
DEFINITION
Résumé :
What is qualitative research? If we look for a precise definition of qualitative research, and specifically for one that addresses its distinctive feature of being qualitative, the literature is meager. In this article we systematically search, identify and analyze a sample of 89 sources using or attempting to define the term qualitative. Then, drawing on ideas we find scattered across existing work, and based on Becker's classic study of marijuana consumption, we formulate and illustrate a definition that tries to capture its core elements. We define qualitative research as an iterative process in which improved understanding to the scientific community is achieved by making new significant distinctions resulting from getting closer to the phenomenon studied. This formulation is developed as a tool to help improve research designs while stressing that a qualitative dimension is present in quantitative work as well. Additionally, it can facilitate teaching, communication between researchers, diminish the gap between qualitative and quantitative researchers, help to address critiques of qualitative methods, and be used as a standard of evaluation of qualitative research.
Affiliation :
Department of Sociology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden