Abstract:

The main purpose of this paper is to review the current status of qualitative research in the Arab world. The survey first considers the meaning and significance of qualitative research as well as its specific importance to the Arab world. Thereafter, it proceeds to highlight the major challenges that could be counted as impeding the full use of research generally and qualitative research in particular in this area. The paper ends by offering suggestions about what could be done to overcome such challenges, relying mainly on the findings of a survey among research organisations and consumers in Egypt, as well as the experience of developed countries in conducting qualitative research among consumers.