Download Module No: 2

Module 3 Sessions 10&11
Sessions 10 & 11: Integrating qualitative
research into quantitative research
Summary
This session will entail a discussion on why and how to integrate qualitative research into
quantitative research.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session participants should have developed an understanding of why and
how to integrate qualitative research with quantitative research work. They should also
appreciate the need for integrating qualitative into quantitative research approaches
Content
Selecting a sample and collecting data using Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant
Interviews and Observation.
Output
Participants will collect qualitative data using any of the qualitative methods
Resources
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Related sessions
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Materials
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Copy of the PowerPoint presentation.
Training notes
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 1
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
Why integrate qualitative and quantitative
methods
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Basing on the strengths and weaknesses/advantages and disadvantages of either
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For example: Results from the quantitative research can be generalized while those of
qualitative may not
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Quantitative research may answer: when, what, who, how but not why; which cannot
be answered by qualitative research
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It is not for the sake of integrating the two methods; but some better results must be
realized
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Qualitative research is effective in identifying intangible factors such as social norms,
gender roles, whose role in research may not be readily apparent
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Qualitative research emphasizes quality than quantity, depth more than breadth,
insights rather than generalization
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When used along with quantitative data, it helps interpret and better understand the
complex reality of a given situation and the implications of quantitative data
How to integrate the two methods
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Therefore, identify the strengths/weaknesses of the primary method
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Then identify a secondary method which can fill in the gaps
What is qualitative Research?
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This is a type of scientific Research which collects, analyzes and interprets data that
cannot easily be reduced to numbers
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This type of data relates to the social world and the concepts and behaviors of people
within it
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Qualitative research seeks to understand a given research problem or topic from the
perspective/view point of the population under the study

It seeks to promote greater understanding not only of the way things are, but also of
why they are the way they are
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 2
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
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It is works best in obtaining culturally specific information about the values, opinions,
behaviors, and social contexts of a particular population
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The purpose of qualitative research is to produce rich data from a sample chosen for its
ability to speak to the issue

Qualitative research emphasizes quality than quantity, depth more than breadth,
insights rather than generalization

When used along with quantitative data, it helps interpret and better understand the
complex reality of a given situation and the implications of quantitative data
Characteristics of Qualitative Research
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Asks why, how, and under what circumstances things occur
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Seeks Depth of Understanding
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Views Social phenomena holistically
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Explores and discovers
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Provides insight into the meanings of decisions and actions
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Uses interpretive and other open-ended methods
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Is iterative rather than fixed
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Its is emergent rather than pre structured
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Involves respondents as active participants rather than subjects
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Defines the investigator as an instrument in the research process
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 3
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
Qualitative research methods
These are several methods within this form of research of which are:(i) Focus group discussions
(ii) Key Informant Interviews
(iii) Observations
Focus group discussions
A group of 6-12 is assembled and engaged in an interaction to produce data and insights
that would be less accessible without the interaction
The group put together should be fairly homogenous: Social status, experience/user status,
sex, age etc
It useful in identifying normative issues, terms, perceptions, attitudes, beliefs,
interpretation, from a group of individuals
Moderator is needed to guide and lead the discussion in a focused manner
Note taker, in charge of note taking and non verbal communication
Tape recording is a requirement (ask for permission)
Planned in advance, debriefing sessions
Is useful especially with beneficiaries
This is a type of Qualitative Research in which the researcher brings together small groups
of people, 6–12 in number
The Researcher plays the role of a modulator, and with an open instrument, the researcher
engages the group in a discussion about the subject under investigation.
The group is homogeneous in terms of the relevant variables for the study.
It essentially relies on convenient sampling or Purposive sampling
If not well moderated with in depth probing may not yield enough data
Dominating characters should be controlled
Timid Characters encouraged to participate
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 4
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
These FGDs are basically used for:
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securing background information
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getting feed back from project beneficiaries
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interpreting available quantitative data
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project monitoring and evaluation
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assessing responses to recommend for innovations, policies etc
Advantages of using Focus Group Discussions
It enables rapid generation of information
It reduces individual inhibitions and hindrances
It helps respondents to raise issues and concerns that the investigation may not have
considered
They allow an interaction between the respondents and the investigator, creating a more in
depth understanding of peoples’ understanding and lives.
Its flexibility allows the researcher to use the responses to frame relevant and necessary
questions.
Disadvantages of using Focus Group Discussions
Empirical generalisations cannot be from the data
Liable to interviewer biases since these are no structural questions
May lead to fear of giving personal sensitive information
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Despite the presence of the moderator, there are people who always dominate and
those who cannot express themselves in-group discussions.
Note: The role of moderator:
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to control those who may dominate the discussion
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to encourage those who may not feel free to talk
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to probe in case need arises
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 5
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
Key Informant Interviews
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These are informal interviews directed to the knowledgeable people about the problem.
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These respondents may not necessarily be under the problem, but only with a sufficient
knowledge
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These informants should be selected carefully to reflect diverse views and concerns.
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An interview guide with issues to be covered is used and it is carried out in an informal
atmosphere.
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Probes to elicit more information are made
Selected Sample
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Any individual from which data can be secured
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Experts/Individuals who hold special positions
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Have special/unique insights/experiences
It is most appropriate when:
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A general descriptive information is sufficient for decision making
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It is necessary to know why a particular group of people behave the way they do
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More light/interpretation is needed on the available quantitative data.
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The primary purpose of the study is to generate suggestions and recommendations.
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There is a need for proper questionnaire design, hypothesis and propositions for
further testing and refinement.
Advantages
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Since it is from knowledgeable persons, it reveals in-depth, inside information, to the
extent of providing confidential information, which may not be the case in a formal
setting
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It is cheap to conduct this kind of interview
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It reveals new ideas, relevant to the study, which may not have been anticipated, in the
planning process.
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Easy to locate potential respondents willing to give the information.
Disadvantages
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The information cannot be generalised and therefore less reliable (ie in case it is
biased).
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 6
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
Observation
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Observation is “a purposive or intentional examination of something, particularly for
purposes of data gathering” (Chaplain 1968)
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It is a careful watching and noting phenomena as they occur in their natural setting
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Observation falls in two categories:
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Physical things like cars, buildings, chairs etc
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Social process eg social behaviour, culture, community relationships
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It is based on a checklist or a form with what to be observed
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A detailed schedule with what to observe and how recordings are to be done is a
requirement
etc
There are basically three forms of observation:
Non-Participant observation
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May observe without participating e.g observing a session
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In this form of observation, there is careful watching and noting of events as they
occur in their natural setting, without the Researcher’s participation. This form of
observation has some problems:
a) It is easy to identify the researcher since he is a stranger to the
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observed.
Some salient aspects may not be observed by the researcher.
Observation with some participation:
This is where, in addition to observation, the researcher takes part in some activities. The
problems involved include:
The researcher may not observe some other aspects in which he does not take part.
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The researcher may also fail to get real meaning of the practices leading to
misinterpreting the information due to his own perceptions.
Participant Observation:
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Participant Observation brings the researcher into direct interaction with people and
their activities
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Participation in the lives of the community, to observe the daily activities of people, to
obtain an inside view of the situation
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 7
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
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Insider’s or outsider’s perspective
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Involvement may be limited due to race, sex and other physical factors
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In addition to observing the subjects, the researcher shares in the life and activities of
those under investigation.
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This requires living in the community for a considerable period of time. This help to
eliminate suspension and the subjects won’t continuously change behaviour. It also
gives adequate time to study the events and practices under investigation and helps the
observer to can understand and properly interpret the practices
This form of observation has some problems
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Possibility of failing to play a dual role of a participant and an
two may be compromised.
observer, one of the
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Once the observer is identified, he may fail to observe each and every aspect of the
practice
Advantages of observation
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Able to see and observe what exactly takes place in its natural form without any
distortion – first hand information
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Data collected is up to date and there is no memory failure
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Additional unexpected information may be got
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Can be used when studying those who can not express themselves eg children, the deaf
etc
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It removes intentional lying eg about income
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Removes error due to translation
Disadvantages of observation
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In case of any suspicion, the subjects have the potential to change their behaviour and
act otherwise.
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There is time constraint, in that some activities take place once for a period of time, so
the researcher has to wait until that activity is performed.
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Some events are exclusive to none members and in such cases it is impossible to do
observation.
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 8
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
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In case of observer bias, the observer may select on the activities that are more
interesting, and the results may not be complete
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Can not get information on the past or future events
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Without enough skills, the results may not be exhaustive and may not describe in
totality the events in the field.
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There may be unfair and poor representative ness of things to observe. The observer
may fail to select a representative sample of aspects to observe
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Can not get frequency of events
Sampling in qualitative Research
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Looking at insights, depth rather than generalizations
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So Sampling is Purposive
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Selecting a Sample for the qualitative study is not haphazard but neither is it bound by
rigid rules of reproducibility
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Sampling Techniques
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Qualitative design is to explore depth, the investigator carefully selects cases than can
typify or shed light on the object of study
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Purpose rather than statistical probability of selection
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Purposive strategies
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Purposive strategies are linked to the purpose of the study
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 9
Module 3 Sessions 10&11
Practical
Select a sample from among the participants/community and conduct a
FDG/KII/Observation research.
Districts Training Programme
Module 3 Sessions 10&11 – Page 10