Phenomenological Paradigm and Qualitative Approach - Essay Example

“Phenomenological” is based on the word “phenomenon” which means a fact that happened or an event that was witnessed. With the phenomenological approach the focus is on “understanding the human behavior from the participant’s frame of reference” (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 53). As this approach is related to an event within a context of time and place, the aim is to investigate an event by carrying out your research to “construct new theory to explain the phenomenon” (Collis & Hussey, 2003, pp. 56-57) or use existing theory. The aim and focus of this approach are “on the quality and depth of data” (Collis & Hussey, 2003, pp. 56-57).

With the positivistic paradigm, the emphasis is on using measurement to find out the relationships between facts and causes of the phenomenon. This is “an essential element of the research process under this paradigm” (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 57). This approach is useful when there is a need to conduct statistical analysis (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 56). A positivistic approach will be used and the researcher will be independent, will not be influenced by the subject of research, and will take “the role of an objective analyst” (Saunders & Lewis & Thornhill, 2000, p. 85).

According to Denzin & Lincoln (cited in Silverman 2005), “qualitative investigators think they can get closer to the actor’s perspective through detailed interviewing and observation” (p. 10). With qualitative researchers, the emphasis is on the close relationship between the subject of research and the researcher where the value is in the social reality and the meaning of the social event or phenomenon. However, in comparison, quantitative researchers focus on the measurement and analysis of facts and causes. The qualitative approach relies on the quality and depth of data and does not focus on the “measured (if measured at all) in terms of quantity, amount, intensity, or frequency” (Denzin & Lincoln, 2000, p. 8). In addition, as Waters (2001) explains, the quantitative approach is based on “simplified representations of reality where real features are depicted by symbols” (p. 8).

Thus, while choosing a research methodology for a dissertation the researcher must be clear about the requirements of the project. It is also essential that the researcher is aware of the kind of information they need to collect. This plays the most important role when deciding on any research methodology. If a researcher aims at collecting information that is more likely to represent the general public’s opinion, then it is essential that the research conducted is a primary quantitative one. However, if the topic of the research does not need the interaction of people but is more a theories-related topic then secondary research is quite sufficient. Also in case the researcher requires the views of major scholars or experts in the field of the topic then the primary qualitative method is generally used. Hence to set out the research methodology of a dissertation, the elements of the objectives and aims must be clear. Read More