Intruction to Qualitative Research

Introduction to Qualitative Research – An Interdisciplinary Workshop The Centre for Academic and Professional Support (CAPS), in collaboration with the Centre for Research and the Research Club, organized an engaging and intellectually stimulating workshop titled “Introduction to Qualitative Research.” The session brought together students from the Department of Law and the Department of Languages, reflecting a shared enthusiasm for interdisciplinary learning and the growing significance of research-driven academic culture across disciplines.

The session was facilitated by Dr. Danish Hussain, who delivered a comprehensive introduction to qualitative research — covering its underlying philosophy, diverse methodologies, and practical applications in real-world academic and professional contexts. Dr. Hussain began by highlighting the fundamental distinctions between qualitative and quantitative research, explaining how qualitative inquiry goes beyond numerical data to explore human experiences, meanings, and social phenomena. He emphasized that qualitative research is interpretive and exploratory by nature, making it particularly relevant for disciplines like law, literature, psychology, and sociology, where understanding human behavior, language, and context is critical.

Participants were introduced to a range of qualitative methods including interviews, case studies, ethnographic observations, focus groups, and thematic analysis. Each method was explained with examples drawn from real academic and industry-based research, helping students visualize how these techniques can be applied in their own projects. Dr. Hussain further discussed how qualitative research enables deeper inquiry into motivations, perceptions, and lived experiences — aspects that quantitative methods often overlook.

The workshop adopted an interactive format, encouraging participants to share perspectives, ask questions, and relate the discussion to their academic disciplines. Students from law explored how qualitative interviews can be used in legal case analysis or policy evaluation, while language students reflected on how discourse and thematic studies can enrich literary and linguistic research. This interdisciplinary exchange fostered an atmosphere of collaborative learning and critical engagement.

A key highlight of the session was Dr. Hussain’s discussion on context, reflexivity, and ethics in research. He underscored that responsible research requires an awareness of the researcher’s own biases, as well as sensitivity to participants’ rights and experiences. Students gained insights into formulating effective research questions, designing interview protocols, and interpreting qualitative data with academic integrity.

The workshop concluded with an open discussion where participants reflected on their takeaways. Many students expressed that the session helped them understand research as a process of exploration rather than mere data collection. They appreciated the clarity with which the facilitator connected theoretical principles to practical applications and highlighted the importance of critical reflection in producing meaningful scholarship.

By the end of the workshop, participants had developed a foundational understanding of qualitative research and a renewed interest in pursuing independent and collaborative research endeavors. The session effectively bridged theory and practice, demonstrating how qualitative approaches can deepen inquiry, enhance analytical thinking, and broaden academic perspectives.

Overall, “Introduction to Qualitative Research” was a successful and enriching initiative that strengthened CAPS’s mission to promote a research-oriented culture at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa. It reinforced the Centre’s commitment to nurturing inquiry-based, interdisciplinary, and ethically grounded learning experiences, equipping students with essential tools for scholarly excellence and lifelong learning.