The Intricacies Related to Love - Research Paper Example

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHOD 3 Introduction A great deal of research has been conducted in an effort to understand the intricacies related to love, not only from a psychological standpoint, but from the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, biology, art, and literature as well. Despite this body of research, the question of how romance can be sustained between two people still remains cloaked in mystery. The primary focus of this study is to develop a deeper understanding of the factors that contribute to sustaining long term marital relationships. One goal of this study is to discover the ways in which couples in marriages that have lasted longer than twelve years, sustain romance. New themes for romance as it relates to a subtlety in communications will be developed as well as a metaphorical anatomy that can provide a map for couples with which to create this intimate connection through the course of their marriage. In addition, the study will examine the differences between how the general public perceives romance compared to the way in which romance actually manifests between two people who are in a long-term marriage. This study has five objectives: (1) To reveal how couples sustain the romance in their relationship. (2) To discover what factors affect an individual’s preferences in choosing a romantic partner, and whether the preferences were achieved. (3) To determine whether the successfully long-term married couples were romantically attracted when they got married. (4) To reveal the components and characteristics of romantic association that have been sustained throughout the relationship. (5) To discover the perceptions, expectations and feelings that are most common in successful long-term marital relationships. 3.2 Research Methods and Design(s) The inquiry will be based on the way in which the participants have developed a language of romance that defines how they continue to communicate emotional thoughtfulness and love between themselves. The metaphorical ’anatomy’ will be designed around the body of emotional foundation, gestures and actions, and verbal communications that create the entity of romance that binds them together within an emotional context. The researcher will utilize in-depth interviews to solicit responses to a series of questions related to romantic love. In addition, this methodology will allow the researcher to note important supplementary material through direct personal observation of the interviewees. The qualitative component of the study is outlined below: Figure 1: Qualitative design to be employ yed Purposive sampling will be conducted through the assistance of gatekeepers. Interviews with 10 couples provide the development of a deeper meaning through both the answers provided by the participants and the observations made during the interviews of their interactions. By taking an approach of an Emotive Function during the interviews, the way in which the respondents give their interviews will be observed and assessed as much as how they answer the questions. (Shank, 2006) By assessing the Poetic Function of the way the stories are told to the interviewer, the content can be analyzed for the way in which the interviewed participant relays reality, and the perception of that reality. (Shank 2006) The way in which a respondent tells the story can reveal the way in which that individual believes the story. Most importantly, the use of the Phatic Function in creating an open channel between the researcher and the participant will allow for a more truthful interview that can provide deeper revelations on the topic. (Shank 2006) 3.3 Participants The participant group will be comprised of couples who are generally perceived by their family and friends as relationally successful and content, and who have been in marriages that have lasted longer than twelve years. The couple should also hold this perception of themselves. Input will be solicited from both partners in the relationship. This study focuses only on marriages that were made through personal choice and not on culturally arranged unions. Confidentiality of the participants will be maintained by using pseudonyms to identify the participants. Twelve years was deemed appropriate because the study of Chambers and Franklin (2007) determined that marriages that lasted a minimum of 12 years had a greater chance of reaching a longer term of marriage (25 years) than those marriages with lesser terms. (I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS PARAGRAPH MEANS).In creating a set of participants that fit into a specific framework of experience, the study can eliminate extraneous factors that would widen the scope of the investigation beyond a manageable locus. The interview will allow for a focus on the reality of the private experiences. The intent of the study will be to “understand a situation that would otherwise be enigmatic or confusing” (Eisner, 1991, p.58). As the participants will claim that they are content within their marriage, the study will interpret what that means within each interview case that is presented by the responses from the participants. Since the position of their claim is not in its accuracy, but in their perception of its accuracy, their responses will be evaluated according to their perceptions. The study will need to provide a sense of respect for the couples in order to allow for the most open answers to the questions within the interview as possible. Three religious and other community leaders will be approached and asked to recommend couples who might be interested in participating in the study. The denominations of the religious leaders is not relevant to the study unless the culture of the religion has an impact on the way in which the relationship is developed. The reason that the search for participants will be conducted using religious and other community leaders is: 1. These sources have the best opportunity for finding couples that fulfill the specified criteria. 2. Studies show that marriages that have a similar religious foundation are found to have greater longevity than do marriages without that foundation (see for example Bulmer, 1984, p.120). 3. Religious leaders may have an intimate acquaintance with many of their congregants and can more readily recommend the desired couples. 4. Religious and other community organizations can be easily accessed and the cooperation of the leaders has a greater chance for success because promoting the concept of long and successful marriage is usually in the interest of most of these groups. The couples will be approached in ways that the ’gatekeeper’ feels are most respectful of their opportunity to agree or disagree to participate in the interview. When contact has been established, a copy of the consent form will be sent to the potential participants as a preliminary to making an appointment for the interview. Ideally, the interviews will be held in the homes of the participants in order to broaden the possibility of observational opportunity. The couples will be given an introductory letter that will provide them with a basic outline of the potential interview. A consent form will be provided that will ensure that the couple is fully informed of the purpose of the interview as well as the topic of discussion. There will be no need for any form of deception and an honest interaction between the participants and the researcher will allow the best possible information to be conveyed. The way in which the interview is conducted will allow for both the answers to the questions as well as observations of interactions between the male and female participating couples to have relevance. Consent forms. The consent form will reveal to the participants the purpose of the study and the way in which the topic will be approached as it concerns the interview. The secondary purpose of the consent form will be to relieve as much anxiety before the interview as possible, opening the communication to deeper revelation. The intent of the interview will be to not only ascertain answers to the questions, but also observe the way in which the two participants behave toward each other. By relieving anxiety before the interview, this will allow for relaxed interactions that can then be observed more easily. Part of the literature study will be an exploration of relationship interaction and body language so that interpretations of the observations can be analyzed and interpreted based on a deeper understanding of the topic of love as it relates to the romance. 3.4 Materials/Instruments In designing this study, interviews will be conducted towards achieving an understanding of the complexity of human relationships. The interviews will look for common and diverse methods used by couples in marriages that have lasted more than twelve years. Once these participants have agreed to participate in the interview, appointments will be made and the interviewing process will begin. Along with the questions and responses from the interviews, observations on the behaviors of the couples will create an added dimension to the selected cases. These interviews will be utilized to determine specific patterns of behavior. Once the interviews have been conducted, the information will be collected and secured in case files in order to maintain privacy for the participating couples. The data will then be coded and put into an appropriate framework for analysis. According to Golafshani (2003), creating reliability and validity in a qualitative study can be difficult. However, by forming questions that create a framework from which the truth can be divined, and by balancing each part of the research in order to create a sense of consistency, the research will present an essence of what is truthful and trustworthy, as perceived by the participants. and interpreted by the researcher. Honest evaluation will result in trustworthy results, while pursuing preconceived ideas will create biased results. Ultimately, the concept of romance is extremely personal and subjective, however looking for consistencies within the framework of the case studies and the perception-based questionnaires will help to support the findings(THIS PART DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. IT WILL NEED TO BE REWRITTEN BECAUSE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY ARE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IN A STUDY OF THIS KIND).. 3.5 Data Collection, Processing, and Analysis Bowen’s (2005, p.218) analysis of interview transcripts identified patterns in the data by means of thematic codes. Bowen’s analysis of data entailed studying the patterns that emerged and making logical associations with the interview questions. He details the process of deriving his research findings as follows: At successive stages, themes moved from a low level of abstraction to become major, overarching themes rooted in the concrete evidence provided by the data. These emerging themes together with a substantive-formal theory of ‘development-focused collaboration’ became the major findings of this study. This research will adopt the same mode of analysis. That there are unfulfilled expectations in long-term relationships may be shown in the developed cases of successful marriages and through questionnaires that determine the perceptions of young adults on how to define romance as it relates to marriage. It is suspected that the fulfillment of romantic needs within a long-term relationship is not based on grand gestures, but on the little ways in which men and women relate to one another on a daily basis (see microbehaviors in §2.5.12). Those who do not see this as adequate fulfillment are not ultimately fulfilled within their marriage. This study might show that romance is a daily part of a marriage when recognition for these small gestures creates a sense of fulfillment. The information collected will be analyzed in detail after selecting the couples for in-depth interviews. Details of the most informative interviews will be gathered by assembling the data into a “manageable and accessible file” for each participating couple (Patton, 2002, p.450). When the cases have been reviewed, the examples that provide the richest content will be developed into a narrative. The research will develop using a sensitizing concept in the way the romance is defined. In studying the experiences of long-term marriages, the concept of romance as being defined by gifts and exorbitant attention is unreasonable (Patton, 2002). Initially, the definition of romance (as previously defined in chapter one) will include the more subtle language that promotes the idea that thoughtfulness and consideration are the basis for the way in which romantic expressions are created over a period. An example of this is a husband who maintains a car for his wife because he wants her to be safe. However, maintaining the car over concern for the car might not qualify. The intention of the act, gesture, or comment defines the concept. The cases will be developed using the sensitizing concept which informs empirical inquiry, and generates "the development of more refined and precise concepts" (Gubrium and Holstein, 2002, p.683), and employing the use of a replication strategy (Miles & Huberman, 1994) which will create a sense of commonality between the cases. At this point, the cases will be examined through cross-case comparison to search for patterns of divergence (Miles & Huberman 1994; Patton, 2002) that will be used to type the differences and develop pattern relationships. Corbin, Strauss, and Strauss (2008) refer to a Conditional /Consequences Matrix, which appears to include the components necessary to analyze the relevant data in a grid form. This matrix allows for “findings (that) don’t oversimplify the phenomena, but capture some of the complexity of life” (Corbin et al., 2008, p.91). An example of how this might be utilized is by creating a relationship between a condition and the consequentially romantic response that creates the entity of romance within the relationship. As the topic will be partially approached from the phenomenological aspect, the emphasis will be placed on the concept of the experience, rather than on any quantifiable data that could be used in relationship to the study. However, it will be valuable to include secondary research that includes statistics on marriage longevity, including research that samples a wide variety of participants regarding the perceived success of their marriage. Relating the cases to national statistics will provide a context for the marriages that are studied. This research will create a method of reference in which the cases can be framed within the culture of American relationships. 3.6 Methodological Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations 3.6.1 Assumptions The following assumptions will be made in order to create a basis for the research that will be attempted within this study: 1. That participants who have been recommended and agreed to participate are with the best of their knowledge being truthful in their responses. 2. That the gatekeepers will have some knowledge of those that they will recommend to participate in this study. 3. That the relevant literature has a credible basis for the conclusions that are presented. 4. That the observations of the behaviors that are exhibited by the participants will reflect a foundational truth about the couple who is observed. 3.6.2 Limitations The following limitations are expected to have a potential to affect the study: 1. Because the culture of a family is as singular as a culture of a society, the traditions of the family group may or may not recognize aspects of the relationship of a couple as romantic. 2. Because couples in the targeted group of participants are also subject to the influence of the media and to popular myths about romantic gestures, these influences may cause the participants to have difficulty answering the questions posed with responses that reflect the subtly of romance over the grandiose efforts they have experienced through the years. 3. Because the study will be limited to relationships that are begun based on attraction, the way in which other social unions and cultures relate to one another within marriage will not be reflected. 4. Additionally, the way in which participants are selected may also be a limitation as will the size of the sample. 5. Only Caucasian couples will be included within the study. Another possible limitation may be that the couples will be found through their associations with particular religious and other local communities. While this venue will allow for the most direct access to couples that are both unknown to the researcher, but are perceived to have a successful marriage, this will limit the participants to groups with specific religious or other social affiliation. It should be noted that it is not implied that only couples having this religious or other social affiliation have successful marriages as others may also. 3.6.3 Delimitations The research that will be done within this study will be narrowed to the specific relationships that have begun through mutual attraction continued into a deeper relationship that most likely included traditional forms of ‘dating’ and ultimately resulted in a committed relationship within the union of marriage. Only married couples will be included within the study. Another possible delimitation might occur because the couples will be found through their associations with specific religious or other social communities. While this venue will allow for the most direct access to couples that are both unknown to the researcher, but are perceived to have a successful marriage, this will limit the participants to groups with specific religious or other social affiliation. 3.7 Ethical Assurances Northcentral University IRB approval for the study will be received before beginning data collection. The informed consent will be an open and accurate statement of what is intended by the research. It will include mentioning that the aspect of private sexual behavior is not relevant to the study. This will be revealed before the interview in order to make participants more comfortable and reduce the level of emotional barriers and pre-interview anxiety before the process. If successfully constructed, the questions will be able to reveal the private experience without raising boundary issues that create a defensive posture. As Patton (2001, p.341) suggests, the participants must feel that they are invested as partners in the project, creating an eagerness to be forthright. In all aspects of the relationship between the participants and the researcher, ethical and straightforward communication will be necessary in providing the least amount of concern from the participants in revealing aspects of their private lives. Because of the very private nature of the subject matter, the participants must be treated with great respect for their marriage and longevity of experience. The integrity of the study will depend on the relationship that the researcher creates with the participants, as they will be observed during the interview for the way in which they relate to one another as much as the way in which they answer the questions. Schram (2003) argues that a researcher’s presence in a setting has implications for what takes place and how events are given meaning. In this research, the presence of the researcher must assert as little oppressive influence as possible, allowing for an open and honest discussion about the topic of study in order to provide as much detail as can be ascertained from the interview. In approaching a topic that has social and psychological relevance, the ethical concerns that may present themselves can diminish the value of the work if not properly assessed and addressed. As the research begins for the paper, some specific areas could present ethical concerns. One of the prime concerns will be in protecting the anonymity of participants. Ethical concerns are important in all types of research but it is recognized that this type of research is of a somewhat sensitive nature, and "sensitive researchers must be more cautious about the confidentiality, privacy and anonymity of their participants" (Dickson-Swift, 2005, p.32). In addition, because personal information will be provided by the participants, creating a safe environment through ensuring that the privacy of the participant is protected will allow for open communication between the researcher and those being interviewed. In addressing the needs of the participants, it will be important to create an open and honest form of communication between the participant and the researcher. The initial way in which this will be addressed is by providing, first the gatekeeper from whom the names of the potential participants will be collected, and then the actual participants, a full disclosure of the nature of the research. A consent form will be necessary to provide permission to the researcher from the participants to use the information that they provide that is relevant to the topic. While the topic of romance is not in itself a sensitive topic in the sense that it should reveal more pleasant anecdotal information than painful memories, the topic is attached to emotionally charged topics such as sexual intimacy and all efforts to protect the privacy and dignity of those interviewed must be considered. According to Cone and Foster (1996, p.135), a list of questions that the researcher must ask himself or herself during the process of designing the study, involves the protection of the participants (See Appendix A). In asking these questions, the study that is proposed on the Anatomy of Romance will fulfill its obligation to the participants as the research design will protect the identity of the participants and use all means possible to protect the participants from any intimate questions that would go beyond the scope of the research questions. For instance, the topic does not pertain specifically to sexual habits; therefore, questions that refer to sexual intimacy will not be used. The questions are based on the way in which two people relate to one another within a relationship on a psychological level, not on a physical level. One of the ways in which the research will be conducted is in the observation of the behavior of each couple toward one another during the interviews. The use of these observations might pose an ethical problem if done in an on-disclosed methodology. However, in order to ensure that privacy is not breached, this should be mentioned within the consent form so that this does not pose any future difficulties, or taint the findings as the participants may act in a certain way due to the intrusion of the researcher. According to Cozby (2003, p.39), “potential participants in a research project should be provided with all information that might influence their decision of whether to participate”. Therefore, both the interview and the observational intent of the interview will be revealed to participants within the consent form. That is, there will be no question whatsoever of deceiving participants of the research aims or invading their privacy, which would be tantamount to harming them (Flick, 2009, p.37). After all, it is based on information given to them that participants give their informed consent, which is matter of trust that must be reciprocated. The practice of beneficence as described by Gallin (2007) and Cozby (2003) and reported within the Belmont Report suggests that there is a "need for research to maximize benefits and minimize any possible harmful effects of participants” (Cozby, 2003, p.36). Therefore, a risk-benefit analysis regarding the effect that the research may have on the participants is necessary to maintain a positive result from participation within a study, rather than long-term effects that may have harmful results. That is, it is necessary to consider "whether the inherent risks are justified by the expected value of the information and benefit to the participants. Studies should be designed in a way that risks to participants are minimized and benefits are maximized" (Gallin, 2007, p.20). Here, we are concerned mainly with psychological and social risks. The best strategy for minimizing risks "is to conduct extensive literature reviews of the measures to be used" (Robins, 2007, p.24) which has been done above as well as thorough planning, and where possible to conduct pilot studies. In addition, both general and specific advice has already been sought from the university permitting this research pertaining to carrying out this research in an appropriate manner. However, the consideration of risks "should be balanced with the benefits that can come out from the study" (Koller, 2008). 3.8 Summary This qualitative study will focus on the experiences of a man and a woman in a marriage within the American culture in which a sense of romance helps to continue the original connection that brought them into matrimony. By examining marriages that have lasted longer than twelve years, a focus will be made on a sensitized concept (Gubrium & Holstein, 2002, p.683) of romance in the context of thoughtful and considerate gestures, actions, and words that connect their emotional experience with one another. When the data collected through the interviews and observations are put into an organized context, and then into narratives of case studies, the commonalities, and divergences will develop into findings that can be put into a matrix for further analysis. Once the findings are analyzed, it is hoped that the research can provide insight into the experience of the perceived success of a marriage, how that perception is defined inside and outside of the marriage, how romance may make the marriage successful, and what connections appear to be common to this phenomenon. According to Schram (2006), Polkinghome (1989) said that the researcher who focuses on the phenomenological approach for a study should ultimately be able to say, “I understand better what it is like to experience that”. The phenomenological researcher will use long interviews in order to create a reflective basis from which the perception of the topic can be given a body of information that will create a larger picture of the topic. As Schram (2006) relates the basic assumptions of the phenomenological approach, human behavior and perception, which help to build the way, in which a topic is seen by the researcher. The human behavior of romance will be studied from the aspect of the perception of those who are experiencing this phenomenon within their relationship. The truth of romance will be developed, not by the commercialized and theatrical dramatizations that create a haze of misconception over the way the culture believes life is lived, but under the terms in which it is actually lived. How romance is lived will be the topic, not the way the culture perceives romance to exist. In creating the metaphor for an understanding of the experience, this research will attempt to grasp the concept of romance, as it is relevant to long-term marital success. A comparison between general cultural understandings of the topic will be compared to the actual successful application of the concept within marriage. Conclusions may then be drawn about the way in which the experience relates to the success of marriage. Interviews with long-term successful relationships might reveal a different understanding, contributing to an understanding of the gap between the perceived and the reality of romance. As romance will be defined as a tool of connectivity between two people, the way in which it is utilized will reveal a phenomenological aspect of the human experience within the chosen cultural context. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS LOOK CLOSELY AT SOME OF THE WORDING THAT I USED IN THE FIRST FEW PAGES AND TRY AND FOLLOW THAT FORMAT. YOUR SENTENCES ARE QUITE CONFUSING AT TIMES AND YOU TEND TO BE VERBOSE. YOU NEED TO COMMUNICATE THE MESSAGE IN A CLEAR, SUCCINCT MANNER. ANYWAY, I HOPE THAT THE FEEDBACK THAT I HAVE PROVIDED IS HELPFUL. BEST OF LUCK. Read More