Qualitative Research Essay

The definition of qualitative research methods had more than one type of definition from other researcher. Basically, qualitative research actually is a primarily exploratory research. It is about collecting data and generating data from surrounding texts, sounds or images. According to the Handbook of Qualitative Research third edition by Denzin and Lincoln (2005), qualitative research is a situated activity that locates the observer in the world. It consists of a set of interpretive, material practices that make the world visible. Qualitative research involves an interpretive, naturalistic approach to the world. These practices transform the world into a series of representations, including fieldnotes, interviews, conversation,

However, though visualize differently, reliability and validity are quite important in qualitative research. They helped the readers to understand how much confidence can be placed in the result. Lindlof (2002) says” Basically, we want to inspire confidence in readers (and ourselves) that we have achieved right interpretations.” So now, the question to be answer is “How to ensure the reliability and validity of qualitative method?” Patton (2001) advocates the use of triangulation by stating “triangulation strengthens a study by combining methods. This can mean using several kinds of methods or data, including using both quantitative and qualitative approaches” (p.

It is used to gather detailed information from a small number of respondents to know their perspectives on experience, idea, opinion or situation. Besides, intensive interviewing is usually conducted with small, nonrandom samples, generalizability is sometimes a disadvantage. However, interviewer bias can also be a problem. The primary advantage of intensive interviews is that they generate more detailed information than other data collection methods such as surveys as they allow for lengthy observation of respondent’s nonverbal responses. For example, Harrington (2003) had conducted an intensive interviewing with a dozen of individuals who familiar with the storylines of the soap opera All My Children concerning the series’ portrayal of homosexuality. This illustrated the intensive interviewing when it comes to examining potentially sensitive