Qualitative research, which explores how or why something occurs, can contribute new knowledge to the understanding of home visiting.
While qualitative research is sometimes viewed as a less rigorous add-on to quantitative research, studies using qualitative research methods—whether part of a mixed-methods evaluation or as a standalone approach—can be rigorously designed to provide reliable and trustworthy information.
This resource provides recommendations for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) awardees, evaluators, and others on how to implement strong qualitative evaluations and minimize bias throughout each stage of the evaluation. It outlines relevant advantages, challenges, and considerations as well as guidance for design, planning, analysis, and reporting.