What is Qualitative in Qualitative Research?

• In Event: 366 - Open Refereed Roundtable Session II
  In Refereed Roundtable: B. Table 21. Qualitative Work

Abstract

What is qualitative research? That there is an answer to this question may seem obvious given the enormous literature that use, comment on, elaborate on, or develop what is covered by qualitative research. We have found that this is not the case. In this article we do two things. First, we survey the existing literature for meanings of “qualitative research.” Then, drawing on ideas we find scattered across existing work we pursue our second aim: to offer a definition of qualitative research. Our definition reads as follows: qualitative research is making distinctions in a process of getting closer to the phenomenon studied resulting in a deeper understanding of it. This formulation is primarily developed as a tool for those who conduct research to enable them to think about research designs cutting deeper into the subject matter they investigate. Additionally, it can also facilitate teaching, communication between researchers, and help addressing critiques against qualitative methods.

Authors

• Ugo Corte, Uppsala University

• Patrik Aspers, Uppsala University