Introduction of Qualitative Research

Qualitative Research is a phenomenon which cannot have numbers assigned. It is a strategy for systematic collection, organization and interpretation of textual information. Qualitative research uses inductive approaches to generate novel insights into phenomena that are difficult to measure quantitatively. For e.g. Barriers and facilitators of institutional delivery practice. 

Qualitative methods can generate a comprehensive description of processes, mechanisms or settings.

• Processes: e.g. Processes of implementing clinical care
• Mechanisms: e.g. How one intervention may achieve a particular outcome?
• Settings: e.g. What it is like to care for patients in a particular environment?

These methods can also characterize participant perspectives and experiences in great depth. e.g. Individual health behaviors, individual experiences in particular clinical settings. These methods can provide unique contributions to health services and clinical research.

Qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of or interpret phenomenon in terms of the meanings people bring to them.