Teaching Paper: Key Terms in Qualitative Research for Non-Profit Practice

This article presents a structured glossary of essential qualitative research terms tailored for non-profit organizations. It defines key concepts, from methodological approaches like coding and thematic analysis to ethical principles such as confidentiality and informed consent, contextualizing each with practical applications for program evaluation and organizational learning. Through a case study, the paper demonstrates how structured use of these terms enhances credibility, transparency, and actionable insights. Reflection questions, challenges, and considerations help practitioners apply these concepts thoughtfully in low-resource and community-based contexts, bridging academic rigor with non-profit realities.