Irfan Ahmed, PhD

There are two broad categories of data collection methods: qualitative and quantitative.   Initially much of the work of the CLIPs is likely to fall in the area of qualitative research. Later the work may involve more quantitative methods. Qualitative Research Qualitative research is grounded in the assumption that individuals construct social reality in the form of meanings and interpretations, and that these constructions tend to be transitory and situational. Use qualitative methods to capture what people say about their meanings and interpretations. Qualitative research typically involves qualitative data, i.e., data obtained through methods such interviews, on-site observations, and focus groups that is in narrative rather than numerical form. Such data are analyzed by looking for themes and patterns. It involves reading, rereading, and exploring the data. How the data are gathered will greatly affect the ease of analysis and utility of findings. Resources on Qualitative Re...