Conducting qualitative research requires a degree of immersion by the researcher into the data collection. This
means that the researcher must be sensitive, flexible, and able to make decisions regarding where the data is
leading. In comparison with quantitative research that uses statistical analysis, a qualitative report is a piecedtogether and tightly woven whole greater than the sum of its parts. This type of research has fewer participants
than there are in a quantitative study; however, the data has much more depth. From qualitative research, one
can gain deeper insight and more stories than quantitative research can provide.
There are several reasons why one would want to conduct qualitative research. For example, you may be
exploring a topic about which little is known, especially from the participants’ perspective. Another reason might
be that you are pursuing a topic of sensitivity and emotional depth.
For this Discussion, you describe the focus of qualitative data analysis, explain how understanding this can
improve your social work practice, and identify a qualitative study