Qualitative research is a type of research that requires the essay writer to gather and study non-numeric data, unlike quantitative research, which includes analyzing numerical and statistical data. Qualitative research uses data in the form of text, audio, or videos in order to understand the topic.
Qualitative research is a common assignment frequently given to college and university students, especially those belonging to the field of social sciences. A qualitative research paper addresses problems that are found in the society. They analyze why certain decisions are made, what someone experiences, and other things related to human behavior in different circumstances.
You might think that when I write my paper, what methods could I utilize to collect data. Well, the following are some of the data collection techniques that are very useful in gathering data for qualitative research.
o Conducting Surveys
You can collect information by handing out open-ended questionnaires that require the subjects to enter elaborated responses.
o Observations
You can observe a certain situation, place, or people and record what you encounter in the form of notes to use as readings in your paper.
o Focus Groups / Discussion
You can conduct a discussion session among a group of people and ask them certain questions that are relevant to your research, and record their response.
o Interviews
You can conduct one-on-one questioning sessions with people and record their answers as data for your research,
o Use Existing Data
If you believe there are fewer resources for you to collect data, you can also conduct secondary research by collecting existing data.
A qualitative research paper can have different components according to the methods that are being used in the study. However, we shall discuss some of the key elements that should be present in every qualitative research paper.
Key Elements of Qualitative Research Paper
o Abstract
Abstracts are an important part of any research. They are usually the only part visible when you search for a paper online. Therefore, you need to make sure that the abstract is a brief but comprehensive summary of what the research paper is about and what its findings are.
o Introduction
An introduction is an important aspect of the paper since it discusses the main objective of the study. The introduction doesn’t need to be brief. You should define what the research is about and how it was conducted. You should also define and explain any new method or technique that was used in the study. The introduction should contain attention-grabbers that appeal to your audience so that they are intrigued to read the paper further. Also, do not forget to include your thesis statement at the end of the introduction paragraph.
o Literature Review
A research paper is incomplete without exhaustive research. You need to go through different relevant pieces of research that can provide you with information regarding your topic. In this section of the paper, you need to summarize different documents and studies that you have read and relate them to your topic.
o Description of the Sample
Before explaining how the research was conducted, there should be a description of the sample used in the research. This sample includes all the individuals or groups that were involved in the research. For instance, the research was conducted on a group of high school students ranging from age 15 to 21. This describes the sample of students and their characteristics.
o Methodology
In qualitative research, the methodology section includes the methods and techniques that were used to gather data. These methods can include interviews, discussions, surveys, and observations. Some of these data collection techniques have been discussed before in the article.
o Findings / Results
This is one of the most important sections of the qualitative research paper. In the results section, you should include all details about your data and the results you obtained after implementing your methods.
o Discussion
The discussion section is written to explain the results that were obtained through the research. These results are presented concerning the topic, and the findings are interpreted to devise a conclusion.
o Conclusion
The closing paragraph of the research paper is also important, since the readers who cannot go through the entire thing, read it to get the gist. The conclusion should summarize all the findings and the main ideas of your research. It should also include the limitations of your research and what improvements you believe can be made. Also, include any recommendations and solutions for the problem.
If you are required to write a qualitative research paper, this guide will surely be of great help. However, if there are any other ambiguities, you can always consult a paper writing service, who will guide you and can also provide you with a well-written research paper. Now that you know what a qualitative research paper is and what are its key elements, it's time to grab your pen and start writing. Good luck!
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