ABSTRACT
The second main tradition in scholarly research is the qualitative approach. Students encountering the distinction between quantitative and qualitative research for the first time commonly associate quantitative research with numbers and qualitative research with words. Qualitative research often focuses on gaining insights into underlying processes, mechanisms, and belief systems. Another feature of qualitative research that distinguishes it from quantitative research is the way it uses theory. Qualitative studies commonly start with data and build theory from the ground up. The open-ended nature of qualitative research creates both an opportunity and a danger. Action research is research conducted in collaboration with non-specialists with the express intention of informing effective action to solve real-world problems.
