Strengths and limitations of qualitative research methods

Remember for summative

Limitations of case studies (memory)

Qualitative data depend to a large extent on people’s perceptions and memory. The reliance on memory when reconstructing the case history could be subject to distortion. Participants in case studies may also change their accounts in order to appear more socially acceptable. However, this could be the case in most research studies.

Strengths of case studies

Case studies provide rich data.

Strengths of case studies

The case study method uses triangulation which increases the credibility of the findings.

Strengths of case studies

The case study allows researchers to investigate cases that could not be set up in research laboratories.

Strengths of case studies

Case studies may contradict established theories and help to develop new theories.

Limitations of naturalistic observations

There is the risk that people react to being observed - that is, reactivity may be involved.

Limitations of naturalistic observations

If the researcher collects the data alone, there may be problems in checking the data. However, multiple observers in the same field can compare data to ensure a match of the data (sometimes called inter-observer reliability). The researcher can also document the fieldwork extensively and explain how he or she arrived at the conclusions reached, in order to promote credibility.

Limitations of naturalistic observations

Ethical considerations concerning the appropriateness of observing strangers without their knowledge. The researcher should also be aware not to violate the privacy of participants.

Strengths of naturalistic observations

Naturalistic observations have high ecological validity. The collection of data takes place in the participants' natural environment and it is assumed that the participants behave as they usually do, in contrast to research in laboratories.

Strengths of naturalistic observations

Can be used to collect data in cases where it would be impossible or unethical to do so otherwise—for example, research on people with Alzheimer’s disease

Limitations of participant observation

Difficult to record data promptly and objectively.

Limitations of participant observation

Time-consuming and demanding. The researcher needs to be physically present and try to live the life of the people he or she is studying. This takes time - as does data analysis - if the researcher is to arrive at an account that is reasonably objective and contextually sensitive. This is not possible for short-term projects.

Limitations of participant observation

Risk that researchers lose objectivity. Researchers are supposed to immerse themselves, or “go native” - that is, be able to see the world from the point of view of the participants. This may present problems in terms of objectivity. In participant observation, there is a delicate balance between involvement and detachment.

Strengths of participant observation

Provides very detailed and in-depth knowledge of a topic, which cannot be gained by other methods.

Strengths of participant observation

One of the best methods to avoid researcher bias is because the researchers seek to understand how and why the social processes are the way they are, instead of imposing their own reality on the phenomenon.

Strengths of participant observation

Provides a holistic interpretation of a topic, because the researcher takes into account as many aspects as possible of that particular group of people, in order to synthesize observations into a whole. The researcher uses material from the participants themselves to generate “theory” and tries to explain one set of observations in terms of its relationship with others.

Strengths of unstructured interviews

Researchers are not restricted in the questions that can be asked during the interview. They can ask the interviewee to elaborate on his or her answers.

Strengths of unstructured interviews

It enables the researcher to make interventions, asking participants either to clarify or to expand on areas of interest.

Strengths of unstructured interviews

Uses an inductive approach which believes that data may emerge from an interview and provide information that was not expected.

Limitations of focus groups

Not appropriate for all research questions. If the research deals with sensitive matters and the participants are supposed to talk about their personal experiences, it is not guaranteed that people will disclose information. There is also the ethical concern that other participants in the group may not keep the information confidential.

Limitations of focus groups

The presence of other participants may result in group dynamics such as conformity.

Limitations of focus groups

They can be difficult to facilitate and the data is more difficult to analyze.

Strengths of focus groups

It is a quick and convenient way to collect data from several individuals simultaneously.

Strengths of focus groups

Provides a setting that is natural, so it can be argued that it has higher ecological validity than the one-to-one interview.  The researcher plays less of a central role and the conversations happen among the participants.

Strengths of focus groups

Members of the group may help to prompt relevant ideas and opinions of others that might not come out in a one-on-one interview.

Limitations of unstructured interviews

Although the themes are set, the questions are not. This means that the way that questions are asked is subject to the skill and biases of the researcher.

Limitations of unstructured interviews

The one-to-one situation is somewhat artificial and this could bring issues such as ecological validity into question.

Limitations of unstructured interviews

Data analysis is very time-consuming as each participant that is interviewed has a different set of questions. This means that the interview process is not highly standardized, making a comparison of the data difficult in some cases.

Limitations of case studies

Case studies cannot be replicated and a single case study cannot be generalized to a wider population.

Limitations of case studies

There is a potential risk for researcher bias in case studies, in that the researcher’s own beliefs can influence the way the data are collected and analyzed.