Qualitative research is fundamentally distinct from its quantitative counterpart. While quantitative research methods rely upon the conversion of observable phenomena into numeric data, qualitative analyses do not necessitate such a transformation of data points. Qualitative analysis offers a discriminating researcher a very nuanced approach to examining many specific social phenomena and is enjoying a resurgence among researchers.

After reading Chapters 7 and 9 of Creswell’s Research Design, identify the key tenets of qualitative methods used in criminal justice research.

• What do you see as the most critical aspects of qualitative research methods?
• How do these key tenets of qualitative research assist us when evaluating criminal justice data?
• How do these key tenets contribute to successfully interpreting published research findings?
• How would you apply these tenets to answer a criminal justice research question?

Qualitative analysis requires a much different approach than that found in quantitative methods. There exist many nuances in the approach to qualitative inquiry. It can be as much an artistic expression of formal research as it is scholarly. In Chapter 9, Creswell suggests researchers follow six steps in order to most effectively conduct qualitative analysis. After reading Chapter 9, identify and discuss the salient aspects of the six steps of qualitative analysis suggested for use by the author.

• What are these six steps and what are their most salient aspects?
• How do these steps assist us when evaluating criminal justice data?
• How do these steps contribute to successfully interpreting published research findings?
• How would you apply these steps to answer a criminal justice research question?