Qualitative methods for intervention research

Abstract

Intervention research takes place in field settings and requires understanding of social meanings and social processes. These are tasks for which qualitative research methods are well suited. The purpose of this paper is to provide a starting point for those who would like to learn more about the qualitative research methods used in disciplines where the study of social phenomena in naturalistic settings is common-particularly sociology, cultural anthropology, and human services program evaluation. The paper discusses some ways that qualitative and quantitative methodologies can usefully work together, outlines four key differences in the initial premises of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, briefly reviews some methodological techniques useful in gathering and analyzing qualitative data, and provides suggestions for further reading on various aspects of qualitative research.