Qualitative analysis

Qualitative research methods use a variety of tools to collect, analyse and report on data, including in-depth interviews, onsite observation, focus groups, document review, case studies, and analytic methods that are specifically designed for this qualitative data. Qualitative research is a powerful tool enabling researchers to explore people's motivations, behavior, desires, and needs.

When applied to evaluation projects, qualitative research is ideally suited to answering questions about how a program operates and in what ways it affects people. Researchers may use qualitative methods to better understand how people think and talk about a problem so that the survey instrument they develop includes the relevant concepts and appropriate terminology. Qualitative methods may also be used to follow up on data analysis with in-depth investigations of why certain outcomes were found.

Depending on the evaluation design, qualitative research can provide an understanding of the impact and outcomes of programs as well as program implementation, cross-site implementation strategies, and overall and population-specific program effectiveness.

Additionally, qualitative research can be used to document the evolution of implementation processes as well as the ongoing monitoring of programs after implementation. Qualitative research also provides a unique means for assessing program or policy outcomes, allowing for the study of both anticipated and unanticipated outcomes, changes in perceptions as a result of the efforts of the program or policy, and the strengths and weaknesses of the administrative or organisational structure that was used to implement the program.

Qualitative research is extremely useful in labour force and workplace research at ARCPOH.