Module 2 Qualitative Research Methods

Before we explore specific methods of doing qualitative research, I want you to explore in more detail the three foundational paradigms that qualitative researchers use. One of those foundational paradigms, positivism or postpositivism, is actually the dominant framework for doing quantitative research. The other two are interpretivism and critical theory. These three paradigms often do not determine which particular method of qualitative research you use, such as observation or asking questions. Instead, they determine how you use the method, why you do the research, and how you interpret your findings.
Please review the following resources and then respond to the questions below:
Article: Positivism and Post-Positivism by William Trochim

Week 1, Module 2

Explain the differences between positivism, post-positivism and interpretivism. How do these paradigms impact your research?

Week 2, Module 2

Your Case for Module 2 involves reviewing research articles that use one or more of the four most common forms of qualitative research methods: Ethnography, Grounded Theory, The Case Study, and Action Research. These four methods may be based on any one of the three paradigms: postpositivism, interpretivism, or critical theory.

In this discussion, indicate which paradigms you think each of the articles you studied were based on. Defend and explain your decisions about which paradigm each article represented.

Expectations: For all discussions, you will need to respond with at least a 125-word response. This is a PhD course, so plus use APA 6th ED. with References.