Data analysis involves discovering meaningthe data. In gualitative research, this means identifying themes, patterns, causal connections, and developing theories. In this regard, qualitative research is identical to quantitative research. However, the differences between the two are also important to emphasize. One difference is that drawing conclusions in qualitative research occurs, at least in part, during the process of data collection and analysis, whereas in quantitative research this stage is usually defined as occurring after the data have been collected and analyzed (compare Figure 1.1 on page 10 and Figure 16.1). Second, most qualitative research hold their conclusion more tentatively or “lightly” especially in early stages of the analysis, because they recognize that additional analysis could lead to reinterpretations or reconceptualizations of the data. However, as analysis proceeds, conclusions become more complete and certain. Third, the conclusions in qualitative research are more “grounded” in the data, which means that the conclusions are more clearly allowed to fiow out of the data rather than be imposed on the data. Such as by measurement devices that are created before the data are collected. In a grounded approach, the data analysis and conclusions are allowed to adapt to what is discovered in the data. Finally, in qualitative research more so than in quantitative research , the primary datagathering instrument is the researcher herself or himself, and this raises concerns about the many ways in which the instrument/observer may bias the observations. This is also a problem in quantitative research, and we discussed ways in which a research, might build a bias into, for example, a question or a multiple-item scale that is used in survey research. However, when the abserver is the data-gathering instrument, then any personal values or biases of the observer can seriously compromise the collection of data and must be taken into account in assessing conclusions.
Qualitative research not only draw conclusions but also make efforts to verity those conclusions or find evidence of their truth and validity.Are the conclusions reasonable and plausible? Without verification, one researcher’s conclusions are simply his or her account of what is going on. This verification is a part of the overall argument that a researcher makes to convince both him or herself, as well as any relevant audience, that the conclusions are reasonable and justified. In chapter 5, we discuss some of the procedures used to assess validity in quantitative research, such as criterion and construct validity. In chapter 9, we discuss ways to assess the validity of observations made in qualitative research. Here, we are discussing the validity of the data analysis and conclusions, but some of the points made about observations also apply to conclusions. There are also some additional points that can be made.