Common Source of Qualitative Data
Common Sources of Qualitative Data
Qualitative data can come from many sources. Here are the most common in research.
Primary Sources (Original Data)
Interviews
- In-depth one-on-one conversations
- Semi-structured with flexibility
- Phone, video, or in-person
Focus Groups
- Group discussions with 6-10 participants
- Facilitated conversation
- Social interaction captured
Surveys (Open-Ended)
- Written responses to open questions
- Scalable collection
- Self-reported data
Observations
- Field notes from watching behavior
- Natural or controlled settings
- Non-verbal data captured
Secondary Sources (Existing Data)
Documents
- Reports and memos
- Meeting notes
- Policy documents
Digital Content
- Social media posts
- Online reviews
- Forum discussions
- Blog comments
Media
- News articles
- Advertising materials
- Videos and podcasts
Historical Records
- Archives and letters
- Photographs
- Organizational records
Choosing Data Sources
Consider:
- Research question: What source best answers your question?
- Access: What data can you realistically collect?
- Quality: How reliable and relevant is the source?
- Ethics: What permissions are needed?
Qualz.ai Data Sources
Qualz.ai supports multiple data sources:
| Source | Qualz.ai Feature |
|---|---|
| Interviews | AI-Moderated Interviews |
| Surveys | Dynamic Surveys |
| Existing transcripts | Upload & Analyze |
| Documents | Document upload |