Comparing Qualitative Research Designs - Report Example

Comparing Qualitative Research Designs Comparing Qualitative Research Designs Qualitative research involves the exploration of an issue with the aim of developing a good understanding of the underlying reasons, opinions and ideas that influence a particular phenomenon in the society. The research process provides insights into the problem. In addition, it may help the user to develop a hypothesis for potential quantitative research. Although a number of qualitative design methods exist, the paper will focus on only three. The three designs are case study, ethnography and phenomenological study. Case Study When a case study should be used Many factors determine the use of case study. Firstly, the approach is used when the goal of the study is to answer “how” and “why” questions (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Secondly, it is instrumental when the researcher cannot influence the behavior of the people being studied. Thirdly, the approach is useful when the researcher wants to address the contextual relations in the study because he or she believes they are important in the research. In addition, the approach is effective when the boundaries separating the context of the research and the phenomenon are not clearly defined. Type of problem that it can address Case studies aid in understanding a single person or situation. However, the subject may include an evaluation of more than one subject in great depth. In some instances, a researcher may use two case studies that have unique traits. The latter approach is instrumental when the researcher wants to compare or generalize (Budgell, 2008). Sample size and selection A case study is useful when studying a single subject. The subject can be a person, a group of people, an institution, a phenomenon or a proposition. The selection of the sample is dependent on the aim of the research. Data collection The case is conducted in its natural setting. The methods of data collection in this design may include observations, interviews and appropriate written documents. In addition, audio-visual materials are instrumental. The data collected through this method can be analyzed through categorization and interpretation of data using common themes (Baxter & Jack, 2008). The different themes are evaluated based on overall portrayal of the cases. A case study focuses on understanding a specified subject. For instance, the practices that are employed by a particular hospital can be examined. Consequently, the object of the study would be limited to that healthcare institution alone. The relevant medical staff may need to answer questions in an attempt to develop a better understanding of the problem. The approach can involve face-to-face interviews and questionnaires. In addition, the researcher can engage in face-to-face interviews with the relevant members of staff (Baxter & Jack, 2008). The collected data undergoes evaluation to develop an in-depth understanding of the issue. In addition, the case study approach is characterized by the collection of large amounts of data. Researchers can use multiple sources of data in order to collect information about the subject. They may use documentation, archival sources and physical artefacts. Besides the use of interviews mentioned earlier, researchers can also use direct observations and participant observation (Baxter & Jack, 2008). The approach is unique to other qualitative research designs because the researcher can integrate quantitative research. Then the data that has been collected from different sources is analyzed as a unit rather than individually (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Data Analysis The analysis of the data is usually conducted concurrently with its collection. However, the type of analysis depends on the type of case study. Five techniques are usually instrumental in this approach. They include pattern-matching, explanation –building and time-series analysis (Baxter & Jack, 2008). Logic models and cross case analysis can aid in the analysis of the collected information. The most effective approach is to focus on the propositions that have been adequately answered by the collected data. How the results are presented The results of a case study are presented through a discussion and conclusion format (Budgell, 2008). The collected data is analyzed and evaluated based on the existing body of knowledge about the issue (Budgell, 2008). It is necessary to incorporate literature review during this stage. In some instances, the process may only involve evaluating the findings of a research previously conducted. The findings may then be presented as part of the discussion or in a separate section. The conclusion section of a case study often includes a demonstration of the importance of the research and the need to implement findings. Ethnography Type of question addressed Ethnography aids in understanding how different behaviors reflect the culture of a specified group (Ingold, 2014). The focus is often on a specific field site where groups of people share a common culture. The methods of data collection include participant observation, unstructured interviews with selected interviewees and artifact or document analysis. The data collected is analyzed by identifying significant phenomena. In addition, the researchers can look at the underlying structures and beliefs. The data can be organized into a logical whole. The chronological account of a given day in a given community aid in studying their life. The type of problem that it solves The process of conducting ethnography begins with determining whether the approach is effective when solving a specified research problem. Ethnography is appropriate if the intention of the researcher is to describe how a cultural group functions (Ingold, 2014). In addition, it can explore their beliefs, language and behaviors. Some of the issues that can be examined include power, resistance and dominance. Sample size and selection The research can focus on a single community. A few knowledgeable informants who understand the community may be selected to provide information about the topic. The selected informants may serve as contact persons for the researcher. The process is effective in enabling the researcher to collect more data. It is also noted that the process is effective in social research (Del-Rio-Roberts, 2010). Participation is the most important aspiration as opposed to observation. The research can take on a realistic perspective. In this situation, the behavior of the members of the community is observed. In a constructivist perspective, the researcher socially constructs the understanding. Data collection The second step involves identifying and locating a group that shares a culture to study. The group must have lived together for a prolonged period. Marginalized groups can also be effective subjects for the studies. The cultural themes, issues or theories can be selected. In order to develop a good understanding of cultural concepts, the researcher should determine the most appropriate form of ethnography. The information should be collected in the environment where the group lives (Ingold, 2014). Data analysis The data collected from the multiple sources can be analyzed in an attempt to form a description for the culture-sharing group (Del-Rio-Roberts, 2010). The researcher can start by looking at a single event or several events in the community. How the results are presented The final research paper should provide a full portrayal of the views of the participants and the researcher. In most instances, the conclusion may include a call for the group to implement some changes in the society. Phenomenology Type of question the design would answer A phenomenological study can help understand the experience in a particular community using the researcher’s point of view. The focus is on a specific phenomenon as it is usually lived and experienced by the people in the community Type of problem the design would address Phenomenological research can fill gaps about a community. Phenomenology is informed by the assumption that the scientific explanation should focus on the structure of the community being studied (Aspers, 2009). As a result, the perspective of the actor is central to the study. In addition, it is assumed that the social world is accepted among the scientific community. Moreover, it appreciates the central role of theory in research and the impact of unintended consequences (Aspers, 2009). Consequently, phenomenological studies must be a reflection of the actual life of the people as opposed to the personal views of the actors. Sample size and selection The methods of data collection include unstructured interviews and purposeful sampling of 5-25 individuals. The methods of data analysis involve a deliberate search for a number of factors that reflect the different aspects of human experience. The researcher then proceeds to integrate the identified factors into a typical community experience. Data collection The data is collected through interviews and observation (Englander, 2012). However, the researchers should resist the need to create their own description of the subject. Instead, they should limit their description to the exact words and phrases used by the people observed. In addition, the researcher should not let the people being studied to know what he or she wants. The practice ensures that the subjects cannot modify their behavior to alter the response. Data analysis The data analysis phase should incorporate an important principle. An emergent strategy should appraise the data collected. The practice refers to the need to ensure that the analysis is influenced by the available data. In addition, the researcher should identify the underlying themes in the collected data (Englander, 2012). The themes refer to significant aspects that determined the course of the research. In the absence of these themes, the experience would have been significantly different. The researcher should consider the characters, physical attributes and other key attributes observed during the research process. How the results are presented A phenomenological report can be prepared using a standard APA format. The introduction should contain information about the past research and theory of the subject. A general description of the participants should be provided in the method section. The material section involves an analysis of any material used in the course of the research. The results section involves a description of the themes identified during the research process while the discussion should relate the results in the study with the experiences acquired during the research process (Englander, 2012). Conclusion Qualitative research involves the application of different designs. The case study approach is used when the sample is small and the researcher intends to develop an in-depth understanding of the subject. Ethnography can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the culture of a given community. In contrast, a phenomenological study enables the student to focus on the research process. Both ethnography and phenomenology enable the researcher to examine the life of a community. However, the latter approach provides a more effective understanding of the issue. A qualitative research can use triangulation in order to study a subject by incorporating different designs. Researchers can decide to use other designs. It is crucial to consider that the choice of the design is dependent on the focus of the study. References Aspers, P. (2009). Empirical Phenomenology: A Qualitative Research approach. Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 9(2), 1-12. Baxter, P & Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative case study methodology: Study design and implementation for novice readers. The Qualitative Report, 13(4), 544-559. Budgell, B. (2008). Guidelines to the writing of case studies. The Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association, 52(4), 199-204. Del-Rio-Roberts, M. (2010). A guide to conducting ethnographic research: A review of Ethnography: Step-by-step (3rd ed.) by David M. Fetterman. The Qualitative Report, 15(3), 737-749. Englander, M. (2012). The interview: data collection in a descriptive phenomenological scientific research. Journal of phenomenological psychology, 43, 13-25. Ingold, T. (2014). that’s enough about ethnography. Journal of Ethnographic Theory, 4(1), 383-395 Read More