Research Paper on:
Qualitative Research Designs

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
citation methods listed below. Citation styles constantly change, and these examples may not contain the most recent updates.?? QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DESIGNS   , October 2010 properly! Introduction Research designs are classified under two very broad categories: quantitative  and qualitative. Quantitative designs results in data and statistics. Qualitative designs do not necessarily result in data but they might. Quantitative designs use scientific approaches. Qualitative designs use natural settings  for the research. Techniques or methodologies for qualitative designs are usually observations, interviews, surveys, and questionnaires. This essay briefly explains four qualitative designs: ethnography; action research; case studies and  grounded theory. An example is provided for each. The next section identifies the methodology used by the investigators in each of the examples. Types of Qualitative Research Designs The  following provides a brief introduction to different qualitative research designs. Ethnography: An ethnographic study takes place in the natural environment. It involves the participation of the community and uses the  concept of culture. It can be used when the problem is not clear or the domain is not understood. Ethnographic research usually focuses on the differences between and among people,  relationships, processes, structures, or historical factors (Schensul, 2005). Parsons and Anderson (2009) reported a very interesting example of an ethnographic research study. They investigated the meaning of Friday afternoon tea  at a palliative care unit. They approached the study from the perspective that this activity incorporated a sub-culture in the unit. Grounded Theory: This method is used to gain information  and data that will lead to the development of a theory that will explain something, such as a population (Scott, 2009). Larsson and colleagues (n.d.) conducted a grounded theory research