Stress Reduction through the Use of Articulate Thought - Term Paper Example

? Role of theory in the five main qualitative approaches in researching on Stress Reduction Through the use of Articulate Thought Disputations Institution affiliation Tutor Date Role of theory in the five main qualitative approaches in researching on Stress Reduction Through the use of Articulate Thought Disputations A theory is defined as a generalized way of thinking and the way the thoughts have been created (Silverman, 2011). Theories are used to explain existing phenomena with general approaches and means that exhaust all possible causes of the phenomena (Silverman, 2011). According to Silverman (2011) theories are hypothesis that are proven of have basis on the facts they have been created from. On the other hand, qualitative research is a method of inquiry that explains the understanding of human behavior and subjects creating or leading to a certain human behavior (Creswell, 2007). Silverman (2011) points out that the connection between theory and qualitative behavior is based on the facts that theories present in understanding human behavior. The five main qualitative theories; narrative, case study, phenomenology, case study and ethnography borrow greatly from theories (Yin, 2008). This paper will analyze the five approaches of qualitative research and how they are influenced by theories. Additionally, the approaches and their influence by theories will then provide a qualitative plan that will provide an analysis on Stress Reduction Through the use of Articulate Thought Disputations. Compare and contrast the role of theory in the five main qualitative approaches I. The role of theory in Narratives Narratives are generated from the personal experiences of an individual in form of a story. These story lines are used to explain the existence of phenomenon that the person experienced. In this approach a theory may serve two purposes. The first role is to explain the experiences of a person through already existing theories from a related life experience (Creswell, 2007). The other role is to generate another theory from the given personal experience story line. According to Thompson (2008) a collection of narratives may create a valid explanation on the existence of a phenomenon in life experiences. Yin (2008) points out that theories generated from narratives cannot be similar since humans cannot share life experiences. However, he points out that this characteristic serves the purpose of a quality in qualitative research which is to develop a generalized way of interpreting phenomenon. II. Role of theory in Phenomenology This particular approach generates theories from the experiences of a person in a particular context. According to Creswell (2007) phenomenology creates theories based on the experiences of a person and how they had to cope with the situation. From this, a theory is then developed that addresses the nature of a particular experience in a specific context. In qualitative research, theories generated through phenomenology are many. A library of those theories provides various explanations on issues pertaining specific contexts. According to Silverman (2011) while generating theories using this approach, the researcher collects experiences if the provided context and then generate theories based on experiences of the participants. The theories then provide solutions and explanation to a specific phenomenon. For instance, feedback collected on the experience of administering insulin may generate solutions to diabetic patients in terms of coping of the effects of the phenomenon. III. The role of theories in Grounded theory Schwandt (2007) points out this approach enables researchers to develop theories using their own data sampling tools such observation and recording changes of a particular interaction. Apart from generating theories, researchers explain the results of an action or interaction by using already existing theories (Thompson, 2008). This approach tends to generate explanation of observed actions, process or human interaction. The observed results are then recorded and generate explanation to a specific change made by an action or interaction. The explanations then generate theories that explain future occurrences of the observed results in the same context (Schwandt, 2007). For instance, a researcher may observe the changes mentally challenged patients display when they interact with their family members. This interaction may create a theory that may prove that mentally challenged patients show improved signs when they interact with people close to them. The theory may then explain the changes displayed by the patients. IV. The role of theory in Ethnography This particular approach targets cultural similarities and compatible characters and explain they relation to a specific phenomenon as shaped by their cultural characteristic. Silverman (2011) argues that when generating theories while using this approach, the theory only apply to this particular group. Any other character not bound by this cultural setting is not subject of the theory generated. While using ethnography a researcher may be biased to base his results according to his perception on the specific culture. For this reason, Yin (2008) suggests that a researcher should interpret his data by use of existing theories. This role of theories in this context makes ethnography a significant approach in understanding behavior influenced by cultural acquaintances. V. The role of culture in case study Yin (2008) points out that case study tends to define occurrences of events through a particular setting and a timely framework. The author further points out that case study cannot be interpreted without using theories that have been proven and satisfactory (Yin, 2008). Most theories are created through case studies (Creswell, 2007). Through case studies a phenomenon is easily indentified and explained further providing insight on the causes of particular events in related settings. For example, a researcher may have a case study that may investigate the change in patients’ conditions after a month application of the Articulate Thought Disputation. In this case, the researcher should have in possession theories that explain all the possible changes that may occur. However, in some cases a researcher can generate another theory if a patient displays new conditions and symptoms. Yin (2008) argues that generating new theories through case study must have support from more than one subject in the related setting or context. Additionally, the role of theories in case study shapes the direction at which a particular case study is taken. Role of theory in the research plan on stress reduction through Articulate Thought Disputation In this particular context, theories would be used to generate the best approach that will be used to indulge the patients. This can be done by reviewing other related researches and which approaches were used to generate the best results. Cornwall (2011) points out that theories point out that patient feedback as well as observation by the researcher mat generate the required results from the research. The selection of the research approach would be the first role of theories in coming up with a research plan. The research plan would then focus on a specific group of patients under ATD treatment. At this stage, theories may give the researcher an insight on what to look for in this particular group (Cornwall, 2011). This role of theories also includes helping a researcher generate research questions that may help get the required response from the questions. Through theories the researcher may operate under a specific time as required by the related theory. In finalizing the creation of a research plan, a theory would be important for the researcher in aiding him create a research profile based on the results collected. The application of ATD displays different symptoms from patients which need more than one theory to interpret and explains these characteristics (Cornwall, 2011). Theories would help a researcher create a final report on the significance of ATD in reducing stress among the affected patients. Additionally, the theories would determine whether ATD should be improved or it is satisfactory in its current form (Cornwall, 2011). This would finalize the research plan and provide the most appropriate recommendation. In conclusion, the application of theories in qualitative research approaches defines the scope of the approaches in a well defined and concrete framework. Additionally, theories create versatility in the approaches giving them the ability to address all the collected characteristic of human behavior. For instance, in the application of ATD as a stress reduction tool a researcher may theoretically plan the qualitative research plan putting into consideration all the expected results or display of patient behavior. References Cornwall, M. (2011). ABC Using Articulated Thought Disputation to Enhance the Effects of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. Seattle, Washington: Create Space. Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications. Schwandt, T. A. (2007). The Sage Dictionary of Qualitative Inquiry. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. Silverman, D. (2011). "Qualitative Research: Issues of Theory, Method and Practice". London: Sage. Thomson, C. (2008). “Phenomenology in Teacher Education Contexts: Enhancing Pedagogical Insight and Critical Reflexive capacity”. The Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 8 (9). Yin, R. K. (2008). Case Study Research: Design and Methods. California: Sage. Read More