Which of the following are features of the qualitative research paradigm?

1.The research is concerned with understanding social phenomena from the participant's perspective

2.It seeks to establish relationships among variables and explains the causes of change in measured outcomes

3.It is conducted in actual settings as the direct source of data, and the researcher is the instrument

4.It is concerned with the process rather than simply with outcomes or products

5.It attempts to establish universal, context-free generalizations

A1, 2 and 3 only

B2, 3 and 4 only

C1, 3 and 4 only ✓ Correct

D3, 4 and 5 only

Correct answer: (C) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation

Qualitative research understands social phenomena from the participant's own perspective, so statement 1 fits.

It is conducted in actual settings where the researcher acts as the key instrument, so statement 3 fits.

It attends to the process rather than only to outcomes or products, so statement 4 fits.

Seeking relationships among variables and causes of measured change describes quantitative research, so statement 2 is excluded.

Establishing universal, context-free generalisations is again a quantitative aim, so statement 5 is excluded.

Qualitative enquiry is naturalistic, inductive, and grounded in rich, contextual description.

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