Qualitative research in the grant-funding jungle

Qualitative researchesrs are often aggrieved that they are disadvantaged in the world of grant funding and perceive a systematic bias in favour of traditional ‘hard science’ research. This paper provides both a qualitative researcher's and ‘assessor's-eye view’. First, the context of the grant funding world is described and some basic premises outlined, especially the dominance of merit over equity. The importance of collaboration in research is emphasised as this is now a majorfactor in determining the appeal and persuasiveness of many research proposals. Several of the most damaging shortcomings of qualitative proposals are highlighted and suggestions are made as to how to avoid these in preparing qualitative proposals that can succeed in a predominantly quantitative jungle.