In qualitative research, which element is crucial for the purpose statement?

In qualitative research, the purpose statement is essential as it articulates the specific focus of the study, and the element that is crucial for this is the phenomenon. The phenomenon refers to the experience, concept, or issue being investigated, and it sets the stage for the entire research project by guiding the inquiry. A well-defined purpose statement that clearly identifies the phenomenon allows researchers to delve deeply into understanding participants' perspectives, experiences, and the complexities surrounding the subject matter.

The importance of the phenomenon lies in its role in shaping the research questions, data collection methods, and overall approach to analysis. It brings clarity to what the researcher aims to explore and provides a foundation for interpreting the findings. While other elements like the theoretical framework and literature review outcomes may support or contextualize the research, they do not serve the primary function of defining the focus of a qualitative study as directly as the phenomenon does. Statistical methods are not typically relevant in qualitative research, which prioritizes subjective insights and understanding over numerical data.