Is there such a thing as qualitative research?

Abstract

As the new calendar year begins it is an opportunity to open a discussion with authors and readers about qualitative research methods. In my long experience as a qualitative researcher, I have come to the view that there is no such thing as qualitative research.That is, when a researcher simply describes their approach as qualitative, there is a lot of information missing. Qualitative is not a method. Qualitative is an umbrella term for an approach to research that is diverse across different traditions and methods.