Definition of Quantitative Research

• Qualitative research is usually conducted in a natural setting and is often referred to as fieldwork. It is different from quantitative research that involves comparing and analyzing data and statistics. In fact, qualitative research involves the analysis of data in the form of words from interviews, pictures through the use of video, and objects or artifacts. Qualitative research also requires active participation from the researcher who compiles descriptive passages of his observations, experiences and realizations.
  
  

Ethnographic Fieldwork

• Before doing ethnographic fieldwork, it is necessary to prepare and formulate the research design and how it is going to build on and add to previous research on the subject. After you have designed your research methods, you begin to collect data and write down your personal thoughts and observations on your fieldwork. For example, you might be living within a certain community and taking detailed notes on daily routines and lifestyle while at the same time engaging in and experiencing the community's activities.
  
  

Interviews

• Another important manner of gathering information is firsthand accounts of the people being studied. This can happen in either structured or open interview formats. In a structured interview, you will ask specific questions relating to a person's life and personal experience whereas in open interviews a person will be given the opportunity to tell you his life story or any other information deemed interesting and relevant.
  
  

Data Analysis and Synthesis

• After gathering the data and the information, ranging from your personal observations to information received through interviews, you will carefully analyze the data. From your data, you will look for patterns and reach a certain conclusion or synthesis. This is the hypothesis you will be presenting to the scientific community once your research is complete.