The qualitative method matchmaker: A decision-support tool to help select what qualitative methods to use

Abstract

Qualitative research requires careful alignment between epistemology, methodology, and method, yet researchers often lack clear guidance for making these choices. We developed the Qualitative Method Matchmaker to address this gap through a formative, multiphase process. The tool combines a branching decision tree with an AI-assisted interface to guide researchers and learners in selecting methods, sampling strategies, and trustworthiness approaches that are epistemologically coherent. We mapped seven qualitative methods to corresponding analytic assumptions, producing structured decision pathways that link deductive, inductive, and hybrid approaches to appropriate practices. Expert reviewers emphasized the Matchmaker’s potential to improve planning in applied research and to serve as a pedagogical scaffold for students developing methodological awareness. By integrating conceptual foundations with an interactive design, the Qualitative Method Matchmaker offers an accessible decision-support tool that bridges philosophical principles and practical application, contributing to ongoing discussions about rigor and coherence in qualitative research.