qualitative research

[harpo]

Hi. I am still a student in college and would love to get into MR. As far as qualitative research goes, what kind of career opportunities are there?. In other words, what jobs are available on the QUAL side of things?. Is everyone a moderator?. Do you start as an apprentice transcribing focus groups?.
I assume that a masters degree helps out a lot, as does further training at specialized schools for moderators like Burke. It seems like a long, winding, twisty road with no clear direction to get to the end goal. Or is it true that the destination is more fun than the journey?.
THANKS.

[Dya_research]

Have you considered project management? I'm curious too to see what experienced qualitative researchers have to say....

[Statman]

IMHO, a qualitative researcher is more of a "people observer" than an "analyst."

Having done 1,000's of FGs over the years as well as interpretation of qualitative research based surveys and one-on-one interviews, the common thread is being able to read a person's physical and emotional behavior. "What is a person 'saying' when they cross their arms during the response?" When two people face each other in a FG then "debate" an opinion, what is really happening and which one is the leader or follower or just a participant voicing an opinion. There is a fine line here and knowing how to deal with the situation is the basis of working with people.

I am an analyst, an analytical, specifically a statistician, but my wife calls me a "creative analytical." Not completely sure what that means but take it as a compliment. I haven't taken any sociology or psychology courses but if I were starting over knowing I would take the same career path they surely would have helped.

Advanced degrees are for show in many cases and I don't necessarily advocate them, I am still a believer in the benefits of OJT. Even so, in todays world they seem to have benefit, particularly in academia and large research firms since they "sell" skill (lol).

HTH

[jreish]

Careers could include moderating, project management, facility management, report writing, transcription, and more. There is no one path to get there. While traditional focus groups still dominate, a trend in qualitative is to get closer to the customer experience, with lessening interest from clients in conducting focus groups in a sterile facility and growing interest in individual depth interviews at the point of transaction (in store, in the respondent's office, etc) and also more observational research methods such as ethnography.

Working at a focus group facility could be a good place to start to be exposed to the variety of work involved and gain good experience.

You may also want to check out the website of the Qualitative Research Consultants Association www.qrca.org for more info.