Eyes That See and Ears That Hear: A Case for Qualitative Research

Abstract

In a worldwide climate of misperception and illusion, the physical senses and mental perception skills are key to qualitative research. The researcher is the first instrument of qualitative inquiry and then, to a great degree, determines the effectiveness of all others throughout the research process, from entry into the research setting through to the publication of the research report. Qualitative researchers must possess keen abilities to see, hear, decode, and translate to the world the meanings of the messages and dynamics of their research settings. Further, they must hone those skills constantly. This article examines the importance and challenge of seeing, hearing, and portraying the world accurately through qualitative inquiry and scholarship.