In qualitative research, scientists focus on studying the characteristics of a situation or a behavior rather than examining or comparing factors numerically, as in quantitative research. Quantitative studies may employ experimental, quasi-experimental, or correlational methods, while qualitative studies are more likely to involve interviews, text analysis, observation, participation, and focus groups. Quantitative research follows rigid rules that allow the results to be generalized to larger groups. Qualitative research is exploratory and may lay the groundwork for future quantitative studies; on the other hand, some scientists, such as ethnographers, see qualitative research as preferable and an end in itself rather than an intermediate state.

Many scientists view qualitative research and evidence-based practice as contradictions in terms. The supposition is that “evidence-based” necessarily refers only to controlled experiments. However, not all practice can be defined in a quantitative way, and this is where qualitative research steps in to fill the gaps (Green & Britten, 1998). Qualitative methods are able to examine social work methods and outcomes with the following orientations: (1) naturalism versus the laboratory; (2) process – dynamic rather than static; (3) interaction via communication between clients and practitioners; (4) interpretation of symbols from the client’s perspective; and (5) relativism, which acknowledges that there is more to social work than scientific “reality” because it deals with human beings (Green & Britten, 1998).

Chateauneuf, Turcotte, and Drapeau (2018) examined the effects of kinship foster care placement (i.e., foster parents related to the child) vs. regular foster care placement on issues such as permanent placement, daily challenges, personal and professional resources, and sense of confidence in foster care practice. Semi-structured interviews with the foster parents included question like “What is the plan of permanency for this child?”, “Which daily aspects are the most positive?”, “What makes you competent as a foster care family?”, and specific survey style questions regarding sense of competence (Chateauneuf et al., 2018). Results showed that there were some differences between kinship foster families (KFFs) and regular foster families in their interactions with birthparents (BPs), namely the fact that interactions between KFFs and BPs were more likely to experience conflict and tension. One reason for this is that previous research showed that there is often less supervision for BP visits with KFFs. On the other hand, BPs maintained closer contact when their children were with KFFs. The importance of this research to social workers is that it fills in a gap regarding what to expect with different types of foster families and suggests the best perspective to be taken by the social worker. This information could not be gained through an experiment since it would be unethical to put children in particular foster care settings at random (Chateauneuf et al., 2018).

Crandall and Sullivan (2005) conducted a study of Latinas affected by domestic violence using a participatory action research (PAR) model in which community leaders, providers of services to abused women, victims, and other advocates worked together to improve resources for victims of domestic violence. Information was gathered via semistructured interviews and focus groups, and participants could choose which they preferred. The interviews and groups revealed that Latinas see so much domestic violence it is considered normal. They do not speak up about it because it would be shameful in their community, especially for their children. Information such as this is extremely important for social workers, because without it, they would likely respond inappropriately to Latina clients experiencing abuse. They would not understand the cultural context and might become pushy and frustrated. This is an excellent example of the value of qualitative research as a part of evidence-based practice, since Crandall and Sullivan (2005) would have had much more difficulty acquiring this information using a quantitative approach.