Qualitative Research Basics: A Guide for Engineering Educators

Determining the size of the sample also relies on intentional researcher choice
as well. Because of both the desire to explore in depth and the labor intensity
of data collection methods, qualitative researchers focus on small instances of
the topic they are exploring. Case studies frequently study only one person or
place or event. Often, researchers identify a tentative number of participants,
documents, or sites they plan to study and as the study unfolds, add or subtract
to this number based on the patterns they are seeing. Qualitative researchers
are advised to “sample until redundancy;” that is, until significant new
information or details are not appearing and the data are “saturated.” This
requires judgment and will vary according to the purpose and type of study.
Decisions about time in the field are sampling decisions that are as important
as decisions on participant selection. They should be made on the same basis
as other sampling decisions—the researcher should remain on site until data
categories are saturated.
• Mechanisms for trustworthiness: In this section of a study plan, qualitative
researchers anticipate what steps they will take to ensure that they have conducted
the study according to criteria for quality research. Particular strategies that may
be employed are described in Chapter 5.
• Treatment of ethics: This part of the outline describes how the researcher will
ensure that his or her conduct as a researcher respects the site, the individuals,
and/or the artifacts involved in the study. It also entails other ethical
considerations, such as the responsibility to report data honestly. In the case of
conduct during the study, research with human subjects is governed by federal
laws which are designed to protect research participants from harm. In order to
comply with these laws, all institutions have an Institutional Review Board (IRB)
that reviews research plans. While details vary from institution to institution,
some general guidelines are as follows:
o All research, even studies that use standardized tests, must be reviewed by
the IRB. In some cases, particularly education studies, the research may be
considered “exempt,” meaning the IRB simply needs to be informed of the
study. Other studies may be eligible for “expedited review,” which means
that the full IRB does not need to review it, but a designee or smaller
group will do the review. “Full review” by the board is rarely required for
educational studies, but in cases where minors or sensitive information are
involved, it is a possibility.
o All studies require informed consent by the participants. Generally this
means that you will provide a form for the participants that describes the
study, what will be done, what benefits they will receive, and what the
potential harms are. At some institutions this form must have an official
approval stamp from the IRB before it can be used. This form must be
signed by the participants before data collection begins. The signed copies
must kept on file for potential audits. It is also good practice to provide a
second copy to the participants for their records.
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