Qualitative Research Basics: A Guide for Engineering Educators

• Collaboration: Work with research participants as co-researchers through
generating research questions or research design together, by teaming to collect
data, or by jointly interpreting data.
Issues of Responsibility and Ethics
In addition to proper use of method, scholars of qualitative approaches identify other
hallmarks of study quality that are less frequently discussed in the traditional research
literature. For example, Lincoln (1995) lists the following: locating the research in and
serving the purposes of the community in which it was carried out; giving voice to the
participants through direct quotation rather than filtering through the researcher; and
reciprocating through sharing trust, privileges, and ownership of the study with the
participants. Other scholars discuss “usefulness” as an important criterion. If a study is
trivial or has little potential to inform or change human behavior or enable deeper
understanding of the human condition, it fails the quality test, even if it uses methods
soundly.
Major ethical issues that are also associated with the quality of a qualitative study include
the following:
Informed Consent: The participants should know what the research is about and how
information will be shared and used. Their consent should be renegotiated if the
design or usage arrangements change.
Confidentiality: Participants' identities are only revealed to agreed-upon extent
(usually not at all) and the findings and data are communicated in such a way that
these identities are protected. Pseudonyms or codes are used in records and records
are kept secure.
Avoiding Harmful Consequences: Research manipulations, interventions, or
suggestions should not threaten the well being of participants. The researcher should
not use his or her authority as a platform for influencing participants’ thinking.
Genuine Reasons for Conducting Research: The decision to undertake research
should stem from sincere interest in the topic or commitment to change. The
researcher should avoid pursuing trendy topics or fundable projects only out of
opportunism rather than sincere belief in the importance of the study. Researchers,
especially in evaluation contexts, should avoid being co-opted by those in control.
Honesty: The researcher should avoid forcing conclusions, fudging data, or other
clearly dishonest approaches.
Reciprocity: Responsibility for respecting the contributions of participants at
minimum involves reporting back findings. In addition, some researchers feel that
they should share the royalties or other benefits accruing from the study with the
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