The Application of Theory of Interpretive Framework - Essay Example

Interpretive Framework’ Introduction Interpretive is a qualitative approach which is an interpretive framework. It is based on a constructivist worldview which can be symbolic interaction, phenomenology, and hermeneutics. With constructivism researcher provides quotes from people they interview to illustrate different perspectives, the researcher visits the participants on site to collect the data, and researcher actively talk about their biases and interpretations for example what is the role of values, Inductive methodology: the researcher’s starts with participant’s views and build up to patterns, theories and generalizations. Types of Frameworks In developing a Research design one of the main steps in designing the Interpretive Framework. Especially in large scale assessment systems one of the primary or central activities is determining interpretive frameworks for the assessment. This is because it determines how an assessment functions or what the purpose of the assessment is. In definition we can take interpretive frameworks as a set of assumptions. This set of assumptions help in understanding a particular event or function. Consciously or unconsciously these frameworks are used daily by human beings. They enable comprehension of the reality, therefore with a faulty interpretive framework, interpretation of reality becomes distorted. That is why interpretive frameworks should be constructed according to reliable and objective criteria. Norm-Referenced Interpretive Framework The norm referenced interpretive framework compares the results with an existing set of benchmark results. There can be a number of ways to make this benchmark result set. The researcher can select a group from the existing data as a bench mark results. For example the subjects can be assessed against other subjects from the same group with a specific age. The researcher can also use past data as a source of reference against which current results are compared. These past results can be taken as a whole or some derivative can be made of the past data. Criterion-Referenced Interpretive Framework As the reliability of the data increase the researcher can rely more on gathered data. This would not only require the reliability of data but also comprehension of the topic under research by the researcher. This is usually proved by the strength of the literature review and availability of past research on the same topic. If there is no research previously conducted on the topic, in that case the researcher has to develop criterion on their own. Therefore a criterion referenced interpretive framework uses its own benchmarks for the interpretation of data. In a typical study conducted to assess the right temperature of crops, if criterion reference framework is used, the researcher would use nature of crops to assess the bench mark temperatures required. In criterion studies the stage of developing a criterion for acceptance or rejection of hypothesis comes after establishing a literature review. The researcher uses the theory collected, to ascertain the responses from questionnaires in categories according to the hypothesis. Different scales can be used than to measure the responses. Researchers usually use software’s such as SPSS to arrange this gathered data in understandable formats. Standards-Referenced interpretive framework This framework is a new introduction to the study of research methodology. It is similar in nature to mixed method design, in the fact that it combines the properties of two different interpretive frameworks. This interpretive framework combines elements from the above mentioned interpretive frameworks and thus yielding more information than either. This form of assessment was basically developed in the educational studies. Their aim is to provide a complete and comprehensive assessment of a student’s performance through tests. Proposed Interpretive Framework Society has evolved throughout its existence which lasts thousands of years. This inevitable evolution of society has lead to development of new ideas and ideologies. These ideas have usually been progressive because they have always built on older obsolete ideas. Therefore than and again human behavior has undergone change to adjust to changing ideologies. For example only a few hundred years ago to have more than one wife was considered a common practice in many cultures. However over time new ideas and practices emerged and polygamy became illegal. The point of this discuss is to explain that during the evolution process there is a lack of information and data on changing practices. During this process if there is a need to research a significant aspect of the change process, the researcher has no common example and practices to pick up from the past. Therefore in such a situation a researcher has to use his own judgment to assess the methods to judge or in our case to study the phenomenon and come up with valid solution. Therefore in this study a criterion referenced interpretive framework should be used. To understand this phenomenon, let us discuss the above mentioned example again. During the evolution from polygamy to monogamy if a researcher wished to assess this change, which sources would they use? The right thing to do would have been to study literature on problems caused by polygamy or furthermore read religious scripture to understand its place in the religion. This would give the researcher a benchmark on which to judge results and come up with answers. Ethical leadership Just as mentioned above ethical leadership is also a new phenomenon in our society. Years of moral reformation and evolution has led us to questioning role of educational leaders in our society. This is off course an example of refinement of human values and ethics. As discussed above this is a new phenomenon therefore there is no example of similar benchmark which can help to asses results of the questionnaire etc, therefore researcher will have to develop their own benchmark to assess responses. For example if the question asked uses responses on how important is ethical leadership in perspective of the subject. The researcher will have to judge what percentage of responses will deliver what meaning. The researcher will therefore will have to develop results on the basis of how the results from the questionnaires fall on his criteria. A criterion reference framework will give the researcher the required flexibility necessary to carry out this research. References Sekaran, Umma. Business Research Methodology: A skill building approach. Illinois: John Wiley& Sons. Brannen, Julia. Mixing Methods: The Entry of Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches into the Research Process. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. Young, M. (2004). The Standards-Referenced Interpretive Framework: Using Assessments for Multiple Purposes. Pearson Education. Read More