QUALITATIVE METHODS
Qualitative data is often described as non-numeric data. It can be made up of words, pictures, or observation notes. A qualitative approach is generally used when researchers want to study a topic or phenomenon in-depth and within a particular
cultural context. Often, the number of units studied is small (the number of people interviewed or the number of focus groups conducted) because qualitative data collection and analysis can be time- consuming and labor intensive. The CDC's Evaluation Brief - "Analyzing Qualitative Data for Evaluation" - is a two-page document that provides the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research and how to go about qualitative data analysis.
Typically, in Extension work, qualitative data is obtained through these research methods:
Open-ended questions in surveys
Key-informant or one-on-one interviews
Focus groups
Case studies
Structured observation
Open-ended questions in surveys
These are examples of an open-ended question that is often seen in surveys:
Please list any other barriers limiting your programming on climate change.
Do you have any additional comments you would like to share?
Please share with us one of your favorite memories from your time on campus.
What do you consider the biggest challenge to beginning farmers?
What do you see as the biggest barrier to achieving your urban agriculture goals?
Describe the most interesting activity you did during your travel to Tanzania.
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