38 Qualitative Methods in Communication Research

Qualitative Methods in Communication Research

In communication research, both quantitative and qualitative methods are essential for understanding different aspects of communication processes and effects. Here’s how qual methods can be applied:

• Interviews:
  • Conducting in-depth interviews to explore individuals’ experiences and perceptions of their interpersonal relationships
  • Conducting in-depth interviews with individuals to explore their experiences, opinions, and feelings about communication topics.
• Focus Groups:
  • Facilitating group discussions to gather diverse perspectives on communication issues within relationships.
  • Facilitating group discussions to gather diverse perspectives on communication issues or media content.
• Ethnography:
  • Observing and documenting communication practices within specific social or cultural groups to understand their norms and behaviors.
  • Observing and documenting communication practices within specific cultural or social groups to understand their communication norms and behaviors.
• Thematic Analysis: Analyzing qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, or media content to identify recurring themes and patterns, for example, patterns in interpersonal communication and relationships.

Main Research Designs in JARS-Qual: A Detailed Exploration

It’s important to note that the JARs chapter focus is primarily on outlining reporting standards for qualitative research within the framework of JARS-Qual rather than providing a definitive list of specific research designs. Unlike quantitative research, which often categorizes designs based on elements like experimental manipulation and random assignment, qualitative research encompasses a diverse landscape of approaches to inquiry.

Instead of predefined research designs, JARS-Qual emphasizes the flexible and iterative nature of qualitative research, where the design might evolve in response to emerging findings. The JARs chapter highlight the importance of transparency in reporting the chosen research design, rationale for its selection, and adaptations made throughout the study.

While the JARs chapter don’t explicitly categorize qualitative research designs, they do reference various qualitative approaches to inquiry and data collection/analysis methods commonly associated with different qualitative research traditions.

Illustrative Examples from the JARs chapter:

To illustrate this point, consider these examples from the JARs chapter, which allude to different qualitative research approaches without definitively classifying them as distinct “designs”:

• Ethnography: Mentioned in the context of mixed methods research, ethnography typically involves immersing oneself in a particular social or cultural group to understand their perspectives and practices (Source).
• Grounded Theory: This approach, often employed in qualitative research, aims to develop theories inductively from the data itself, with categories and relationships emerging through the analysis process (Source).
• Case Studies: The JARs chapter mention case studies, often considered a type of qualitative article, suggesting their inclusion within the scope of JARS-Qual (Source).

Key Considerations for Reporting Qualitative Research Designs:

The JARs chapter underscore the significance of comprehensively reporting the qualitative research design, regardless of the specific approach used. Key elements to address include:

• Research Design Overview: Provide a concise summary of the research design, including data collection strategies, data analysis strategies, and approaches to inquiry (Source).
• Rationale for Design Selection: Justify the chosen design in relation to the research objectives, explaining why it is well-suited to address the research questions (Source).
• Adaptations Made to the Design: Highlight any modifications made to the research design during the study, explaining the reasons for these changes and their impact on the research process (Source).

By meticulously reporting these aspects of their qualitative research design, researchers can enhance the transparency, rigor, and trustworthiness of their findings, allowing readers to fully understand and critically evaluate their research process.