Qualitative Research - Essay Example

Qualitative Research Qualitative Research Phenomenology will be an appropriate research design for a research project on section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. According to the United States Department of Labor (2014), the Act forbids the discrimination of people on the basis of their disability. This research design will appreciate the uniqueness of each experience with the Act. Its goal is to describe life experiences as they are lived. This will enable the researcher to carry out a research project that appreciates the need to enforce the law and the challenges that it creates for employers and administrators of Federal programs.

This qualitative research approach takes into consideration the nature of a human being. It requires the researcher to find individuals who understand the objectives of the study and are willing to provide the required information (Key, 1997). After collecting data, the researcher will have to classify and rank it. They have to develop a general overview of the collected information and be able to identify outstanding issues. This design is suitable for the research topic because its principal objective is to examine human behavior and the experiences that human beings go through.

There are three methods through which qualitative data for a research project on section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 can be carried out. They are; participant observation, the use of case studies and interviewing individuals who can provide credible information on the subject. The first method that can be used is participant observation. The method will allow the researcher to collect and organize data in a systematic way that is based on social science theory and methodology (Key, 1997).

The researcher will observe if and how the Rehabilitation Act is applied in Federal programs and recruitment of people. This can be achieved by requesting to participate in the evaluation of Federal programs and recruitment exercises. However, the researcher has to periodically carry out a self evaluation to ensure that they are carrying out an unbiased research (Key, 1997). The main reason for using this method is that it provides an opportunity to experience the application of the Act in a natural setting.

In addition, the other variables that may be involved can be analyzed. Case studies are detailed investigations of individuals, organizations or communities with the aim of understanding how a concept, principle or law is applied. The researcher will attempt to analyze the variables that are relevant to the Rehabilitation Act. The main difference between this research method and others is that the focus is limited to a single case rather than adopting a global outlook (Key, 1997). This approach is good for analyzing how Acts of the legislature, such as this one are applied in a real life setting.

Moreover, the best way to understand the application of a law is to use a single case as opposed to a general reference to multiple cases. The third method involves interviewing individuals who have information that is relevant to this research. For example, the legislators who were involved in the drafting and passing of this Act can be interviewed to understand the motivation behind the Act. In addition, lawyers and advocates of people living with Disabilities can be questioned to give their perspectives on the Act as well as the challenges facing its implementation.

Moreover, employers can explain how the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 shapes their hiring policies. However, the primary source of information on this research should be disabled individuals whose lives have been affected by the Act.This will enable the researcher to have a holistic description of the topic (Key, 1997).ReferencesKey, J. (1997). Research Design in Occupational Education. Retrieved from http://www.okstate.edu/ag/agedcm4h/academic/aged5980a/5980/newpage21.htmUnited States Department of Labor.(2014).Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Retrieved from http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/sec504.htm