How to design qualitative research suitable for social sciences?

Qualitative research design in social sciences involves constructing a systematic plan to explore complex social phenomena, understand meanings, experiences, and processes from participants' perspectives, using non-numerical data. Its feasibility stems from utilizing established methodological frameworks and iterative, reflexive approaches. Successful design requires clearly defining the research question, selecting an appropriate methodology (e.g., ethnography, case study, grounded theory, phenomenology), identifying suitable participants through purposeful sampling strategies, and determining ethical considerations like informed consent and confidentiality. The scope is defined by the phenomenon under study and research objectives, emphasizing depth and contextual understanding over breadth. Key principles include ensuring credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability through meticulous data collection (e.g., interviews, focus groups, observation, documents) and analytical strategies. The implementation begins by establishing clear research questions and justifying a qualitative approach. After selecting the specific qualitative methodology and securing ethical approval, purposeful recruitment identifies participants with relevant experiences. Data collection proceeds using chosen methods, guided by emergent insights (iterative). Rigorous data analysis (e.g., thematic analysis, coding, narrative analysis) involves identifying patterns and themes. Findings are interpreted in context, often supported by participant quotes. This process yields rich, context-specific insights into human behavior, social interactions, and institutional practices, providing depth often missing from quantitative studies, thereby informing theory, policy, and practice.