Understanding Qualitative Research Methods: Thematic Analysis and Grounded Theory

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Analytical Study
By:

INTRODUCTION
• Qualitative research method works for exploratory researches.
• The approach helps to acquire underpinning reasons, motivation as well as opinion.
• The methods of qualitative research are unstructured or semi-structure in nature.
• Usual methods include Focus groups, interviews as well as participation or observation (Charmaz, 2014).
• Two methods would be reflected in upcoming discussion.
• Grounded theory and Thematic analysis would be analysed.
Description of Each Method
Thematic Analysis
• It is a cluster method that focuses recognising patterned meaning through a data set.
• Approach is widely used for social , behavioural and applied sciences.
• The patterns are recognised through familiarising data, coding and theme development(Atieno, 2009).
Grounded Theory
• It is a set of systematic inductive method for qualitative research.
• It provides explicit sequential guidelines , stream lines and integrate data collection and analysis.
• It is mostly used in social researches (Braun, Clarke and Terry )
Content analysis Method
• It is used for replication of valid inference and interpretation.

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PROCESS
• Research question is identified
• Relevant subject is chosen
• Relevant data collection is confirmed(Charmaz, 2014).
• Data is interpreted or analysed
• Theoretical framework is designed
• Finding is noted from inference.
Software Packages for Qualitative research
• Sisense
It enables most non-technical user to access data and enables interactive dashboards for research
analysis.
• Nvivo
This program utilises qualitative and mixed method research (Braun, Clarke and Terry )
• ATLAS.ti
Leading software for qualitative data analysis. It can identify relation and meaning in data.
• MAXQDA
It can work with qualitative, quantitative and mixed research. Works across windows and Mac platform.