The Formalization of Qualitative Research

Abstract

Formalization of qualitative research (that is, case study or ethnographic research) is a major adaptation to the policy world that includes codification of research questions before fieldwork starts, standardization of data collection procedures through semistruc tured interviews, and reduction of verbal data to categories. The histories offive multisite, qualitative policy studies were examined to see how much variation in formalization reflected the technical requirements of the research problem, the demands of the federal client, and the preferences of the project team and its professional network. The research team has the greatest influence although the client sets broad limits on what is possible.