Overview
This week’s collaboration focuses on the role of qualitative research in generating knowledge and understanding human experiences as part of the research process. Qualitative research is especially valuable when studying complex issues that cannot be fully explained through numbers alone. Think about what counts as knowledge in research and consider how qualitative research contributes to knowledge differently than quantitative research. In this discussion, you will examine a specific problem you have personally observed or experienced in your current or previous workplace, internship, volunteer position, or other professional setting. Do not describe a hypothetical situation or a broad issue without connecting it to your own experience.
In your initial post (200-250 words):
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Discuss how qualitative research contributes to knowledge and understanding in ways that differ from quantitative research.
Identify the types of research questions that are best answered through qualitative methods.
A Problem from Your Own Professional Experience
● Describe one specific problem you have personally witnessed or experienced in your profession or field.
● Provide enough context for your classmates to understand the situation, while maintaining confidentiality by not identifying individuals, organizations, or clients.
● Explain why this problem is important and who is affected by it.
Why Qualitative Research?
● Explain how qualitative research could help investigate or better understand this problem.
● Describe what qualitative methods (such as interviews, focus groups, observations, or document analysis) might reveal that surveys, numerical data, or other quantitative methods alone may not capture.
● Discuss how the findings could inform practice, policy, decision-making, or future research in your field.
● Use 1-2 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources, in addition to the assigned weekly reading to support your initial post. Provide APA 7th edition properly formatted citations and references to support your initial post.
Peer responses (100-150 words): After posting your initial response, reply to at least two classmates.
Engage thoughtfully with the ideas they presented and challenge them to think critically about the research topic they are interested in exploring further.
Ask a meaningful follow-up question and/or provide an additional perspective about their research topic of interest.
Collaboration Grading Rubric
Student Response Instructions
● Prepare an initial collaboration post of 250 to 300 words that addresses all components of the prompt.
● Support the analysis with course materials, scholarly resources, or professional examples.
● After posting the initial response, reply to at least two peers through critique, alternative perspectives, or real-world examples.
This collaboration supports CLO 1 and CLO 2.
Learning Materials for this Collaboration:
● Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2022). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (6th ed.). SAGE Publications. Chapter 9 Qualitative Methods (30 pages).
● Gray, D. E. (2021). Doing research in the real world (5th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd. Chapter 7 Qualitative Research Design (25 pages).
● Kara, H. (2022). Qualitative research for quantitative researchers (1st ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd. Chapter 1 Introduction (15 pages); Chapter 2 Ways of Knowing (15 pages); Chapter 3 Thinking with Theory (10 pages).
● Savin-Baden, M., & Major, C. H. (2025). Qualitative research: The essential guide to theory and practice (2nd ed.). Routledge. Chapters 1 Qualitative research (15 pages); Chapter 2 A brief history of philosophical perspectives (18 pages); Chapter 2 Constructing a Theoretical Framework (5 pages); Chapter 5 A Step-to-Step Guide to Problem Statement Development (5 pages).