Hi,

I'm doing a course of qualitative research methods and for that course we need to submit a research plan. I'm studying work motivation of highly-educated employees in corporate jobs and originally my intent was to study the specific extrinsic and intrinsic motivators by using Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory as a basis.

However, when I presented this to my professor, he said that my approach is more quentitative than qualitative and I cannot use it for our course. When I tried to ask for reasoning, he simply laughted at me and said that I haven't understood anything from his course then. This was of course very humilieting for me as it happened in front of our whole class so I don't want to discuss about the topic with him anymore. However, I still have a problem as I don't understand why I cannot study extrinsic and intrinsic motivation with qualitative methods... Can someone explain this for me?

Moreover, I might change my topic to focus more on the process theories of motivation. Do you think that I could study motivation processes of highly-educated employees in corporate jobs with interpretive analysis from semi-structured interviews?

I would say your teacher was being honest. Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory deals with positive and negative factors within the work place and does not deal with the individual person.

You need to be looking at the social, religious, racial, and other individual factors of each employee and how those factors affect the work place.

What are some qualitative research methods?

The three most common qualitative methods, explained in detail in their respective modules, are
Participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Each method is particularly suited
For obtaining a specific type of data.
•
Participant observation
Is appropriate for collecting data on naturally occurring behaviors in
Their usual contexts.
•
In-depth interviews
Are optimal for collecting data on individuals’ personal histories, per-
Spectives, and experiences, particularly when sensitive topics are being explored.
•
Focus groups
Are effective in eliciting data on the cultural norms of a group and in generat-
Ing broad overviews of issues of concern to the cultural groups or subgroups represented.