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qualititative research methods essay
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The study was qualitative in nature as it helped in understanding and giving interpretations to behaviors, emotions, beliefs, texts, talk and relationships of the individuals in the community studied. The case study design, one of the formats used in qualitative research, was used to primarily determine the potentials of participation in decision-making to demonstrate power. The ability to describe and explain in detail aspects of processes in a social unit in their real social context is the main reason why this research adopted the case study design (Feliciano, 1994). Yin (2003) also promotes case study as the method of choice when the case being studied cannot be distinguished from its context. This is the situation of this particular study. Stake (1995) suggests that although there is little interest in “generalizing to the species… the case researcher examines a part of the whole, seeking to understand what the specimen is, how the specimen works” (pp. 36-37). Yin further explains that case studies may be exploratory aiming to define the questions and hypotheses of a subsequent study and descriptive, explaining how events happened. In addition, case study became especially useful in obtaining valuable information from the respondents. It helped to have a better understanding on situations as the researcher inquired what information was most useful to provide insight on the community being studied (Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). Case study researchers specifically focus on cases they are interested in and not on the methods used (Stake, 2003 as cited in Denzin & Lincoln, 2005). This then led the researcher to be practical in choosing the most appropriate method to gather pertinent details. Unlike other formats, findings from cas... ... middle of paper ... ...ropriate in the context of the study. The approach isolates particular issues within a community, examines them in detail, then appraises the relative influence of variables (such as groups, individuals, and activities) contributed to their outcomes (Dahl, 1957). During the process of decision-making, the approach guided the research path by determining who successfully initiates, modifies or vetoes the decisions while being made. Much of the work based on this approach describes the way competing groups or individuals struggle within a community through creating a balanced, albeit perhaps unequal, distribution of power. Also, studies using this approach tend to develop findings that support diversity within a community power structure. It must be emphasized that this approach was used to supplement the case study to give different dimensions to the research.
In the book Introduction to Research: Less Fright, More Insight: a Customized Version of Research Methods: Are You Equipped?, the author defines a case study as “an in-depth observation of an individual, animal, event, or treatment method (pp. 73).” In this paper, the student will be writing a case study about herself, and she will explain what it is that she has learned about research. More importantly, the student will then evaluate her experience from a biblical, Christian perspective.
However, this change could be political struggles or revolution. The theory lays emphasis on the idea that personal or group’s ability has a role to play in exercising influence and control over others in producing social order. Therefore, conflict theorists are of the belief that there is a continual struggle between all different elements of a particular society. Wallace and Wolf (2006) revealed that conflict theory developed as a major alternative to the functionalist approach to analyzing a society’s general structure. Similarly, Ritzer (2003) also noted that apart from the origination of the theory in reaction to structural functionalism, it also has other roots which include Marxian theory and works of George Simmel on social conflict. However, this was superseded by a variety of neo-Marxian theories after the 60s (Ritzer & Goodman, 2004). Notably, this has become increasingly popular and relevant in modern day sociology (Wallace & Wolf,
Case study uses information obtained from one person or a few people to illuminate the behaviors of others and suggest further research. Sigmund Freud popularized case study along with his psychonalytic theory of personality. A major advantage of the case study is that focussed on one person allows researchers to gather a great deal of detailed information. The goal of a case study is to use the information gathered from one person to understand the behaviors of others. “The case study is often used by used by psychologist in order to research into aspects of the human psyche.” (Keirs, 2009) Psychologist use experiments, interviews, questionnaires, observations, diaries, and psychometric tests are used within a case study. There are two basic types of case study; retrospective and longitudinal. In retrospective, your information comes from the history of the person you are studying. If it were a person who was being studied, you would have been to interview the person about their childhood and their family, as a result developed a report of their life and early life. In contrast longitudinal, investigates the future. They research consequences of a certain situation that has happened. The key feature in the case study method is subject matter. The subject matter is usually a person or an animal. Much like experimental case study, it often uses variables. As with any other method, it has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of case study is the ecological validity of it. The information that is used in these studies is from real life environment. The information is good information because the research is so in depth. The research if often very useful. There are also disadvantages and potential disadvantages. One main disadvantage is case studies usually relate to one individual, and what applies to you may not apply to me. Replication would not be easy with case study because of the unique situations.
In this essay I shall make a critical comparison of different theories and approaches of community organising. By focusing on main aspects of Paulo Freire and Saul Alinsky’s models of community organising I shall discuss how applicable these models are in the UK. By drawing examples from experiences of applying Root Solution Listening Matters (RSLM) and Participatory Action Research (PAR) frameworks in my practice. I shall demonstrate relationships and differences between the two. By addressing key elements of theories of power and conflict I shall highlight the main characteristics of both and use these theories as lenses to view some problems in the communities. By comparing models of community enterprise I shall reflect on future opportunities of a budding community enterprise. Finally by outlining the methods of evaluation I shall reflect on my chosen framework for evaluation of my work.
The power differences and inequality present at personal, cultural and structural levels will now be discussed. Discrimination, oppression and power are closely related because the least powerful and privileged groups of people such as Black, Asian and some ethnic minorities are treated differently. Weber (1963) defines power as ‘the chance of a man, or a number of men to realize their own will in communal action, even against the resistance of others’ (cited in Haralambos and Holborn, 1995, p 501). In other words, power is an opportunity for a person to do what they like despite of others wishes. One the other hand, Lukes (1974) suggests that power can also be defined as the ability of a person to exercise his/hers power over another person (cited in Cox et al., 1985 p 32).
The type of data collection for a qualitative research study depends on the research design. The qualitative design itself originates out of the disciplines and flow throughout the process of research (Creswell, 2014). Creswell (2014) recommends narrative, phenomenology, ethnography, case study, and grounded theory as common qualitative research methods. These were recommended because of they are popular across the social and health and science research studies. Hays and Woods (2011) asserted that selecting a research tradition congruent with one's research orientation and study purpose, and at the same time, infusing it in all phases of qualitative inquiry, is one of the key criterions for trustworthiness of the research results. Hays and Woods (2011) recommends six qualitative research traditions, including ground theory, phenomenology, consensual qualitative research, ethnography, narratology, and participative action research. Indeed, while there are additional qualitative research methods available, scholars have identified these six qualitative traditions consistently or identified them as emerging and common methods of qualitative research (Hays & Woods, 2011).
Within a society power serves a vital role of establishing and maintaining roles of dominance and submission (Bourdieu, 1977). This creates and maintains a social hierarchy of inequality that unconsciously determines the status, behavioural expectations and available resources for members of the community (Navarro, 2006). The meaning of power within a society is that it determines one’s social standing or relational position within the given community as well as the level of dominance or power they have available to exert onto others. Power, within a society is primarily created through the habitus, capital and culture of a
The purpose of this case study is to investigate and bring new insight to situations and behaviors within an organization. Case studies are learning tools which utilize social science research to identify and resolve individual and organizational challenges (K. Mariama-Arthur Esq., 2015).
Since groups have unequal access to resources (e.g. money, land) and skills (e.g. knowledge, ideas) some groups will have more power than others. However, one could argue that this relationship influences each other as the unequal access could be seen as a result of unequal
French, J. R. P., Jr., & Raven, B. H. (1959). The bases of social power. In D. Cartwright (Ed.), Studies in social power (pp. 150–167). Ann Arbor, MI: Institute for Social Research.
Some theorists view social interactions as an exchange of objective and subjective power (Benford & Hunt, 1992, p. 3), with social movements being created for the purpose of restructuring an imbalance in social, political, and economic power, or the way in which such power is used (Lukes 1974, pp. 24-5). The dramaturgy theory agrees that the focus of a social movement is the amendment or transformation of power relations, and goes even farther by suggesting that leaders of said movements are responsible for developing new and alternate possibilities for current power relations, and must persuade members that they are capable of generating change (Benford & Hunt, 1992, pp. 3-6). Thus, the effectiveness, quality, and sustainability of
Case studies are a collection of data obtained using various methods gathered on an individual or group to record areas of interest in order to assist with analysis and provide recommendations. The study should include the name of the person, although this should be protected to provide anonymity where appropriate, and a brief description of the subject. The setting where the study is to be performed should be included. The aim of the observation must be presented along with a report of the findings. The type of method used will depend upon the subject and the area of interest. Data is gathered on the subject in this case observations were used to provide the data. An interpretation of the study will be made in order to provide a conclusion and recommendations made if applicable. Freud famously used the case studies that he carried out on his patients to develop his Psychoanalytic Theory.
Qualitative research was designed as a way to be directly connected with the subjects researched. Participant researchers may choose to merely observe and collect data or to be an active participant. Covert participation has the advantage of reducing the “reactive effects” of the social setting or group (Bachman & Schutt, 2012). Most researchers who use the participation method of research will often strike a balance between participation and observation. Through participation, an observer may gain the trust of the research subjects which can provide more fruitful results. Some research may however be unethical or a violation of law. A good researcher should use prudence beforehand when crafting their research design.
Validity- anthropologists uses case studies to explain their application of addressing any human related issues so that their work is clear and solid (Firth 1981:193).
...chniques and procedures among those associated with quantitative or qualitative research. A literature review, which included document analysis, was used to answer sub-questions one, two and three. A model building approach was suggested to answer sub-question four. In addition, the study uses a case study as a proof-of-concept. The use of a case study is a qualitative empirical study to strengthen the research validity. Since the research methods directly responding to the research questions (Literature review and Model building) make use of textual data, we classified this study as a qualitative study. Table 3.1 below summarises the classification of this study in terms of the dimensions discussed above.