The nature of qualitative research Qualitative research is difficult to define clearly. These so-called underpinnings refer to bases or presumptions used as foundations upon which to develop more-specific descriptions of related issues and how to address (or simply to note) them. Lysaght (2011) highlighted the necessity of identifying one’s theoretical framework for a dissertation study: the theoretical and foundational underpinnings of qualitative research (p. 1). The historical context reflects an interpretive turn from envisioning nursing as a natural science to one of a human science. define qualitative research as ‘the collection of extensive data on many variables over an extended period of time, in a naturalistic setting, in order to gain insights not possible using other types of research’. The theoretical framework provides a grounding base, or an anchor, for the literature review, and most importantly, the methods and analysis. Guba and Lincoln’s foundational work, “Competing Paradigms in Qualitative Research” provides a useful orientation for understanding the theoretical underpinnings of qualitative work. This article focuses on the philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research methods. 105-117) Theory. qualitative research methodology in many academic disciplines. This renders the research sloppy and (2014)not appreciable as … Related to qualitative research methods, a variety of approaches have been set forth in the literature using the terms conceptual framework, theoretical framework, paradigm, and epistemology. Qualitative researchers understand the importance of beliefs and theories that inform their work and also actively write about them in their research. This chapter is organized into six parts: (1) definitions of basic concepts, (2) theory/theoretical contribution, (3) historical background of qualitative research, (4) misunderstandings around qualitative research, (5) specifics of qualitative research, and (6) practical consequences. Many social science research papers fit into this rubric. Paradigm, they suggest, is a “worldview that guides” the researcher. This paradigm seeks to emancipate the political ideologies with the aim London: SAGE. It has no theory or paradigm that is distinctively its own … Nor does qualitative research have a distinct set of methods or practices that are entirely its own. The theoretical framework may be rooted in a specific theory, in which case, your work is expected to test the validity of that existing theory in relation to specific events, issues, or phenomena. (Denzin and Lincoln, 2011: 6) 01_RITCHIE_ET_AL_01.indd 2 … A research without the theoretical or conceptual framework makes it difficult for readers in ascertaining the academic position and the underlying factors to the researcher’s assertions and/or hypotheses. The phenomological paradigm is reflected upon in the questioning of perception, philo … The desire to understand the theoretical underpinnings of this research approach is evident. to … This paper will hopefully equip researchers when deciding on … The use of theory in science is an ongoing debate in the production of knowledge. Objective: This paper is aimed at providing an overview and limitations of IPA. It is indispensable to identify the methodology of this research design in order to delve with potential research developments, which interests social ), Handbook of Qualitative Research (pp. In The last competing alternative paradigm of qualitative research is the Critical N. K. Denzin, & Y. S. Lincoln (eds. But this definition also suffers from an ... logical, theoretical and methodological underpinnings. research of qualitative methodology needed for theory creation. significance, and the research questions. Quantitative research is