<p>Good question!</p>

<p>Qualitative methods (QM henceforth) have become more widespread in the recent decades, according to a <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joes.12004/abstract" rel="noreferrer">2014's survey</a> in the <em>Journal of Economic Surveys</em>. QM include, among others, in-depth interviews, focus groups, case studies, ethnographic studies, and mixed-methods (quanti+quali). They are still not that popular though, and have been very often looked down by the field. This is evident from the JEL coding, which does not include a specific section for QM, but does include one for <a href="https://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/jelCodes.php?view=jel#C" rel="noreferrer">quantitative methods</a>.</p>

<p>In contrast to BB King comment, <strong>these methods have been used in very hard-core economic issues</strong> like <strong>Macro</strong> (e.g. <a href="https://www.russellsage.org/publications/asking-about-prices" rel="noreferrer">Blinder et. al. 1998</a>), <strong>Labour Economics</strong> (e.g. <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/001979390505800207" rel="noreferrer">Cregan 2005</a>), <strong>International Organisation</strong> (e.g. <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/001979390205500303" rel="noreferrer">Autor, Levy and Murnane 2002</a>), <strong>Development Economics</strong> (e.g. <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220380903428415" rel="noreferrer">Valente 2011</a>), etc (for more examples, see Table 1 in survey above). <a href="https://economics.mit.edu/files/1125" rel="noreferrer">Here</a> is an article from an MIT economist commenting on his experience with using qualitative methods in labour economics research (excuse the fallacy of authority).</p>

<p>If you want to explore more, there is a <a href="http://www.tandfebooks.com/action/showBook?doi=10.4324%2F9781315532257&amp;" rel="noreferrer">2016's book</a> dedicated entirely to the subject. Also, Chapter 7 of <a href="http://www.e-elgar.com/shop/handbook-of-research-methods-and-applications-in-heterodox-economics" rel="noreferrer">this handbook</a> focuses on QM used in Heterodox Economics.</p>

<p>Other references in which QM are used:</p>

<ul>
<li><p><a href="http://econpapers.repec.org/article/wlyhlthec/v_3a8_3ay_3a1999_3ai_3a4_3ap_3a345-353.htm" rel="noreferrer">Health Economics</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://econpapers.repec.org/article/saeamerec/v_3a44_3ay_3a2000_3ai_3a2_3ap_3a30-35.htm" rel="noreferrer">Introductory economics teaching</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://econpapers.repec.org/paper/wpawuwpdc/0505003.htm" rel="noreferrer">Measurement of poverty</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://econpapers.repec.org/article/saeausman/v_3a39_3ay_3a2014_3ai_3a1_3ap_3a127-135.htm" rel="noreferrer">Finance</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1007/s10110-003-0149-z/abstract" rel="noreferrer">Input-Output analysis</a></p></li>
<li><p><a href="http://econpapers.repec.org/paper/temwpaper/1007.htm" rel="noreferrer">Economic modelling</a></p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-17T07:07:58.573Z
2017-08-17T07:13:01.093Z
2017-08-17T07:13:01.093Z
luchonacho
<p>As a quantitative analyst and armchair economist I have seen little reason to do qualitative analysis as done in the other social sciences.</p>

<p>However I keep running into these rather wordy analyses of economic issues (primarily from social research organisations) which are constantly pushed and presented as holding the same weight as those presented by the quant camp.</p>

<p>I don't want this to turn into a rant and if this question is opinionated please close it. </p>

<p>My question is: Where does qualitative analysis fit in formal economic research?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-17T05:07:48.260Z
My opinion is that it fits in areas where economics delves into the ( other ) social sciences. Like economics of corruption or social norms or things like that. There are some things you cant reasonably quantify, which calls for qualitative analysis. Those are mostly in political science and sociology.  But when we try to approach those questions, we must be aware of our limits.
BB King
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-17T16:22:20.783Z
@BBKing maybe I have my head held high as a quant guy,but I view qualitative analysis as being inherently biased this based on what I read here on the definition of qualitative analysis.http://classes.uleth.ca/200502/mgt2700a/Articles/Qualitative%20Research.pdf see page 6 in the PDF "Section 1: The nature of qualitative research".
EconJohn
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-25T07:01:35.400Z
"which are constantly pushed and presented as holding the same weight as those presented by the quant camp." Your premise that these are necessarily different camps is wrong.
Michael Greinecker
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-25T17:31:51.313Z
@MichaelGreinecker they are two different camps based on my current exposure, hence the methods they employ to answer the same question.
EconJohn
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-26T08:48:45.920Z
The extremely influential mathematical economist Truman Bewley conducted interviews with firms to figure out  [Why Wages Don't Fall During a Recession](https://www.amazon.com/Wages-Dont-Fall-During-Recession/dp/0674952413/). So qualitative methods are not restricted to those "other social sciences"
Michael Greinecker
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-26T15:30:45.613Z
@MichaelGreinecker  I haven't heard of Truman Bewley and cannot argue about the validity of your claim. I'll try to get my hands on the book.
EconJohn
<reference-request><research>
Qualitative methods in Economics
EconJohn
# Qualitative methods in Economics

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-08-16)

As a quantitative analyst and armchair economist I have seen little reason to do qualitative analysis as done in the other social sciences.

However I keep running into these rather wordy analyses of economic issues (primarily from social research organisations) which are constantly pushed and presented as holding the same weight as those presented by the quant camp.

I don't want this to turn into a rant and if this question is opinionated please close it.

My question is: Where does qualitative analysis fit in formal economic research?

**Tags:** reference-request, research

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: My opinion is that it fits in areas where economics delves into the ( other ) social sciences. Like economics of corruption or social norms or things like that. There are some things you cant reasonably quantify, which calls for qualitative analysis. Those are mostly in political science and sociology.  But when we try to approach those questions, we must be aware of our limits.  
> **username_0**: @BBKing maybe I have my head held high as a quant guy,but I view qualitative analysis as being inherently biased this based on what I read here on the definition of qualitative analysis.http://classes.uleth.ca/200502/mgt2700a/Articles/Qualitative%20Research.pdf see page 6 in the PDF "Section 1: The nature of qualitative research".  
> **username_2**: "which are constantly pushed and presented as holding the same weight as those presented by the quant camp." Your premise that these are necessarily different camps is wrong.  
> **username_0**: @MichaelGreinecker they are two different camps based on my current exposure, hence the methods they employ to answer the same question.  
> **username_2**: The extremely influential mathematical economist Truman Bewley conducted interviews with firms to figure out  [Why Wages Don't Fall During a Recession](https://www.amazon.com/Wages-Dont-Fall-During-Recession/dp/0674952413/). So qualitative methods are not restricted to those "other social sciences"  
> **username_0**: @MichaelGreinecker  I haven't heard of Truman Bewley and cannot argue about the validity of your claim. I'll try to get my hands on the book.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-08-17. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Good question!

Qualitative methods (QM henceforth) have become more widespread in the recent decades, according to a [2014's survey](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joes.12004/abstract) in the *Journal of Economic Surveys*. QM include, among others, in-depth interviews, focus groups, case studies, ethnographic studies, and mixed-methods (quanti+quali). They are still not that popular though, and have been very often looked down by the field. This is evident from the JEL coding, which does not include a specific section for QM, but does include one for [quantitative methods](https://www.aeaweb.org/econlit/jelCodes.php?view=jel#C).

In contrast to username_1 comment, **these methods have been used in very hard-core economic issues** like **Macro** (e.g. [Blinder et. al. 1998](https://www.russellsage.org/publications/asking-about-prices)), **Labour Economics** (e.g. [Cregan 2005](http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/001979390505800207)), **International Organisation** (e.g. [Autor, Levy and Murnane 2002](http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/001979390205500303)), **Development Economics** (e.g. [Valente 2011](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220380903428415)), etc (for more examples, see Table 1 in survey above). [Here](https://economics.mit.edu/files/1125) is an article from an MIT economist commenting on his experience with using qualitative methods in labour economics research (excuse the fallacy of authority).

If you want to explore more, there is a [2016's book](http://www.tandfebooks.com/action/showBook?doi=10.4324%2F9781315532257&) dedicated entirely to the subject. Also, Chapter 7 of [this handbook](http://www.e-elgar.com/shop/handbook-of-research-methods-and-applications-in-heterodox-economics) focuses on QM used in Heterodox Economics.

Other references in which QM are used:

* [Health Economics](http://econpapers.repec.org/article/wlyhlthec/v_3a8_3ay_3a1999_3ai_3a4_3ap_3a345-353.htm)
* [Introductory economics teaching](http://econpapers.repec.org/article/saeamerec/v_3a44_3ay_3a2000_3ai_3a2_3ap_3a30-35.htm)
* [Measurement of poverty](http://econpapers.repec.org/paper/wpawuwpdc/0505003.htm)
* [Finance](http://econpapers.repec.org/article/saeausman/v_3a39_3ay_3a2014_3ai_3a1_3ap_3a127-135.htm)
* [Input-Output analysis](http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1007/s10110-003-0149-z/abstract)
* [Economic modelling](http://econpapers.repec.org/paper/temwpaper/1007.htm)


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