Critique of Qualitative Research Article. Education Research Paper

Critique of a Qualitative Research
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Critique of a Qualitative Research
While quantitative research seeks to quantify a problem by generating numerical data that can be translated into usable statistics, qualitative research refers to a type of research undertaken to explore and understand various underlying opinions, motivations, and reasons. Qualitative research helps to develop ideas and hypothesis concerning a problem as well as reveal trends in opinions and thoughts. Qualitative research is majorly applied in social and natural sciences. However, its application in business and market research is on the rise. Methods used in qualitative research include interviews, group discussions, and observations. At times, qualitative research methods are integrated with quantitative methods in the collection and analysis of data (Taylor, Bogdan, & DeVault, 2015). This paper seeks to critique a selected qualitative research and determine if the research meets the criteria of qualitative research. Leadership in education helps improve both learning and teaching outcomes. Thus, there is a need to explore the various factors and conditions that influence teacher leadership. Understanding these factors and conditions can help in creating environments that decrease the negative effects of both internal and external factors and improve learning and teaching outcomes. A 2013 study sought to find out the factors and conditions that affect teacher leader influence in a suburban secondary school in Ontario, Canada. The study was also aimed at filling a gap in the literature concerning how teachers fit in their leadership responsibilities (Clarke, 2013).
One characteristic of qualitative research is that interviews are one of the methods used to collect data. The study used semi-structured interviews to collect data from six departmental heads in a suburban school board. To understand teacher leadership, the researchers asked the teachers to discuss their view of their roles, their working conditions, as well as the measures they use to navigate the conditions. The study sought to understand the opinions and perceptions of the teachers regarding their leadership roles. Interviews were used to collect the data. Therefore, the study qualifies as a qualitative research (Clarke, 2013).
The study examined six department heads on their perceptions of the leadership responsibilities under them as well as the conditions affecting their ability to influence others. Semi-structured interviews lasting for a period of 60 to 75 minutes were conducted. The sample used represented the department heads with different professional experiences. Three of the participants were female while the other three were male. Four of them headed two departments each. Their age ranged between the early 30s to mid-50s. They all had a teachin...