Longitudinal qualitative research approaches in evaluation studies

Working Paper No. 7

By Donna Molloy and Kandy Woodfield with Jo Bacon

While longitudinal quantitative studies are well-established in government social research, longitudinal qualitative approaches have been relatively under-used. Qualitative research can add a unique perspective on people's decision-making, experiences and behaviour in relation to policies, grounded in their individual experiences and world view. Longitudinal qualitative research gives us an insight into how and why these things change over time, providing a deeper and better understanding of the efficacy of government policies. Using examples from research commissioned to evaluate policies, this Working Paper discusses the role of longitudinal qualitative research in addressing the range of research questions that arise in developing and assessing policy.

September 2002

ISBN 1 84388 069 5 Paperback

Longitudinal qualitative research approaches in evaluation studies