5 Qualitative methods for evaluation
Typical qualitative methods of research might include focus groups, interviews with selected informants, surveys, observation, encouraging others to engage in self-reporting, and document analysis.
Sampling a population in qualitative research may rely on the purposive method: that is, people are selected to answer a survey based on the researcher’s judgement or subjectivity, and not based on the techniques for obtaining a representative sample.
Observing, conversing, participating and interpreting are key skills in qualitative techniques for evaluation and research. Speaking to people lies at the heart of these skills. The participative method of enquiry, and others similar to it, have become more popular over the past four decades.