Skip to Main Content

Tips for searching: Qualitative techniques and tools

Get the most out of your searching

Interviews

These can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured in-depth sessions with the researcher and a participant.

Document analysis

Interrogations are of:

  • Correspondence
    • Letters
    • Diaries
    • emails, et.
  • Reports

Focus groups

Focus groups involve several participants who discuss a particular topic or set of questions. 

Researchers can be facilitators or observers.

Oral history/Life stories

Remembrances or memories of experiences told to the researcher.

Observations

Observations are obtained in three different ways:

  • On-site
  • In-context
  • Role-play