ABSTRACT
In Part II, we move on to consider the advantages and disadvantages of an alternative type of data to that examined in Part I. Here, we consider the role that qualitative data can play in political research, along with the various advantages and disadvantages of adopting such an approach. Qualitative data can be analysed in various formats, and within the next four chapters we shall consider the opportunities offered by the research formats of observational research (including participant observation), interviews, documents and media resources. We begin in this chapter by contrasting the recognised differences between quantitative and qualitative research, and consider the development of the ethnographic research approach. We shall focus upon the general strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research and consider the circumstances in which it can be used in political research, by considering some existing case studies. As we shall consider interviews in greater detail in Chapter 6, we only consider some general principles relevant to this research tool here, and we focus in greater detail in this chapter upon observational research.
