Qualitative Exploration of the Experience of Becoming a University Student

Running head: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative Research
Name of the University:
Name of the Student:
Author Note:

1QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Table of Contents
Qualitative Exploration of the experience of becoming a University Student...........................2
Fundamental Principles of Qualitative Research.......................................................................2
Methodological Statement.........................................................................................................3
Data Analysis.............................................................................................................................4
Extract 1.............................................................................................................................4
Extract 2.............................................................................................................................6
Conclusion to the Analysis.........................................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................9

2QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Qualitative Exploration of the experience of becoming a University Student
Fundamental Principles of Qualitative Research
Qualitative research utilizes non numerical data as well as other information that are
not amenable to the quantitative measurement, for interpretation and description. In simpler
terms, when the numbers are being used to answer the given questions, then it can be
considered as quantitative research and if the research is qualitative, images, stories and
statements are utilized (Yin, 2015). The qualitative approach is small scale and micro level,
which focuses upon the thick description of the particular phenomenon, social reality, theory,
culture and experience (Joffe, 2012). If the researcher wants to describe about the lifestyle of
any particular group, for instance, the data which will be needed involve narratives, images,
conversations, texts as well as other documents (Flick, 2014).
The basic principles of the qualitative approach can be described intro three specific
ways that is; interpretivism, inductivism and constructivism. The first approach is
constructivism, which means that the things are not discovered objectively; rather they are
created as well as imposed subjectively by the people in the given contexts (Marshall &
Rossman, 2014). The second approach is interpretivism that stresses upon the definitions,
which are both equally important for the analysis and interpretation (Braun & Clarke, 2006).
The third approach is inductivism that can be defined as the new set of meanings, theories
and knowledge, emerging through the procedure of induction (Bernard, 2017).
There are several approaches of qualitative research that are being utilized all across
the different segments of Humanities, Education and Sciences. Ethnography can be regarded
as something that is useful in the cultural studies. It aims to describe, understand and explore
a cultural group (Packer, 2017). The case study is also being utilized particularly in the health

3QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
and clinical settings. Grounded theory focuses on the emergence of the theory regarding a
specific reality that undergoes a procedure of cross analysis, emergence and reflexivity
(Rager, 2006). Moreover, phenomenology puts the subjective meanings of the participants as
a phenomenon experienced by him/her (Mertens, 2014).
Methodological Statement
Two participants were being selected for the interview who has given a detailed
description regarding the experience of becoming a University Student. The data was being
collected and analyzed later after the interview was over. The questions were open ended, as
it helped in gaining detailed insights regarding the interviewees University life. The findings
of the interview revealed the fact that the interviewees are quite happy with their University
life. At first, one of the interviewees thought that University life will be hard, but later on
he/she found that it is quite interesting, where the students get to learn a lot. Moreover, it can
be said that the students enjoy their own space and also they have gained useful insights from
their coursework.
It has been analyzed from the interview that the interviewees at first thought that they
will not have time for work along with studying. Moreover, they thought that the amount of
work given is quite a lot, when it comes to assignments. However, they also mentioned that at
universities, they are able to maintain a social life. The interviewees discussed about the
advantages of a university student as well. They mentioned that being a university student has
enabled them in exploring themselves in a better way. In addition to this, they also mentioned
that they do not get much time to perform other activities as they have to complete their
assignments on time, in order to get good grades.
However, the ethical considerations in a research are quite critical. The ethics are the
standards or norms for conduct, which distinguishes between the wrong and the right. The