Applying qualitative methods to experimental designs: A tutorial for the behavioral sciences.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Sciences
• Experimental Psychology
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Experimental designs predominantly use quantitative outcomes and methods.
• There is a need for methodological guidance on incorporating qualitative approaches in experimental evaluations.
• Qualitative data can enrich understanding and ecological validity in behavioral studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present methodological guidelines for the qualitative evaluation of experimental designs.
• To offer a holistic understanding of phenomena by incorporating qualitative data.
• To address the lack of guidance for mixed-methods evaluations in behavioral sciences.

Main Methods:

• Development of methodological guidelines for all study stages: goal formulation, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Application of a constructivist grounded theory approach for empirical illustration.
• Focus on ensuring research rigor throughout the qualitative evaluation process.

Main Results:

• Guidelines provided for integrating qualitative evaluation into experimental designs.
• Demonstration of added value through a holistic understanding of experimental outcomes.
• Empirical example illustrating the evaluation of empathy prompts' effect on COVID-19 regulation adherence.

Conclusions:

• Qualitative evaluation methods offer significant added value to traditional experimental designs.
• Methodological guidelines facilitate the rigorous integration of qualitative data in experiments.
• This approach enhances ecological validity and provides a more comprehensive understanding of behavioral interventions.