In recent times, qualitative research has become a focal point of interest in education and the social sciences because it can reveal meaning, context, and lived experiences in ways that quantitative data cannot. However, while many postgraduate researchers genuinely appreciate qualitative inquiry for its potential, they often have to confront its philosophical foundations as well as the practical demands of using its methods confidently and rigorously. This article aims to make qualitative inquiry more accessible for novice researchers by connecting key paradigms to methodological decisions and research practice. The paper discusses key methodologies for data collection, including interviews, focus groups, observations, and document analysis, while also acknowledging the complexities of qualitative inquiry across various contexts. The article also elaborates on the analytic process from coding to categories to themes while noting the role of reflexivity and transparency in establishing credibility. Quality issues, such as dependability, authenticity, and credibility, are also addressed, as is the role of digital technologies and new designs in engaging qualitative practice. By balancing theoretical depth with practical examples, this article engages and supports social transformative postgraduate researchers in carrying out rigorous and meaningful qualitative inquiry.
Sayyed Rashid Shah (Mon,) studied this question.