Qualitative Methods
Writing Qualitative
Research Papers
Writing Qualitative Research Papers
Methods
Often this is the first section that is written. This section should give a complete accounting of the research process—what was done and how and why. The methods section of a qualitative research paper typically discusses the research process or design in detail--the methods used, data collection, data analysis, and any unique problems or issues raised during the course of the study.
The methods section should contain enough detailed information about the data and how it was collected for a reader to evaluate the analysis presented. It is best to err on the side of completeness rather than briefity. The length of the methods section will vary with the complexity of the study. If you interviewed 20 students from an art class you will have a shorter methods section than if you did a mixed methods study that included field observation, interviews and document analysis. You need to give the reader a thorough and detailed description of how your research has been accomplished.
The methods section should include a description of the following:
- setting
- sample (setting, interviewees, images or documents)
- how the sample was selected
- data collection procedures
- any challenges that had to be overcome
- decisions that had to be made
- how the analysis was accomplished
Sometimes, authors will also include a table of the sample demographics either in the methods section of the paper or as an addendix.
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