Qualitative Research and Its Analysis - Essay Example

Week 6-Terence Affiliation Week 6-Terence Introduction Qualitative research aims at gathering an in-depth knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and answering questions of the reasons that govern the human behaviour. Therefore, it a method of inquiry that is used in many academic fields to help in understanding different aspects of the research. However, in order to use this method various issues should be considered such as the methods to be used in gathering information, the people or the sample size as well as the ethical considerations required in this research method. In this essay, I will examine this different aspects establishing how they affect qualitative research. Discuss the issue of sample size in qualitative research. The sample size is the number of observations made and used for calculating the estimates of a given population. Determining satisfactory sample size in qualitative research is a matter of experience and judgment in evaluating the information collected against the uses in which it will be positioned. Sample size is very significant in qualitative research and the bigger the sample size the better the outcomes of the research. This is because the sample size will have different opinions and perspectives about the research question (Houghton, Casey & Murphy, 2012.P. 15). In that, the smaller the sample size the narrower the range of perceptions given and the larger the sample size the less likely the research would fail to discover a perception that he or she wanted in the research. Therefore, the main objective of a sample size in qualitative research is reducing the chance of discovery of failure, as opposed to reducing estimation error. How might a qualitative researcher determine an appropriate sample size? Sample size determination is crucial to ensure that the researcher gets the appropriate number of people to participate in the research. Sample size determination is the act or process of choosing the number of replicates to include in a research. The sample size chosen is used in a research is determined based on the outlay of data collection, as well as, the need to have adequate statistical power (In Ritchie et al. 2014. P. 67). Determination of a sample size is important and various methods can be used to help in getting the appropriate sample size in qualitative research. First, the research should select the sample size with an idea in mind that the some of the subjects on the approved list may fail to participate. Secondly, a budget should be developed to influence the research. A calendar should be used to schedule data collection because timely research only requires a small sample size. Determining the availability of the subjects to be used in the research, as well as, geographic boundaries (Saldaña, 2013.P.67). Lastly, evaluating the special needs involved in the research and the number of trained researchers required to help in the research as it helps in determining the sample size. What influence does sample size have on transferability? Transferability is the act performed by readers of research in that, the readers established the specifics of the study situation and compares them to the specifics of the environment that they are familiar. In qualitative research transferability is the degree to which the results can be transferred or generalized to other contexts or settings. The sample size has an influence on transferability in the sense that, they may choose to transfer what they have seen in the environment and relate to the study (Thomas & Magilvy, 2011.P. 154). To enhance transferability the researcher can thoroughly describe the research context and the assumptions that may be central to the research. By so doing, the research influences the minds of the individuals to ensure that they do not transfer what they have seen in their settings, but use other means to relate to the research context. Therefore, any person in the sample size who wishes to transfer the results to a diverse context is then made responsible for making the judgment of the sensibility of the transfer. How might the researcher affect the results of face-to-face interviews? Face-to-face interviews are commonly used in qualitative researcher because they have been said to be a good a tool of gathering information. This is because the researcher gets one on one information from the participant where they can probe for questions that are more specific. However, the researcher may influence the results of the research in the sense that, they may fail to record or note down the important things (Seidman, 2013. P 40). This is because the interviewee and the interviewer may talk a lot on the subject making the interviewer to miss the crucial points. Additionally, the researcher may affect the results where he or she may spend more time on questions that do not matter a lot on the research and forget getting more answers on the research question. Where when analysing the results the major points are not noted which influences negatively on the research. On the positive side, the research due to probing for more answers may get to learn things that may play an integral role in the research. What can be done to mitigate issues that might arise from these problems? To mitigate the influence of the researcher on the results of the face-to-face interview it is imperative for the researcher to stick to the question. In that, they should ensure that the participant answers questions based on the research question making sure that they do not deviate from the main issue. Secondly, the researcher may use a recorder during the face-to-face interview where he or she records what the interviewee says, as well as, noting own what they think is important (Speziale & Carpenter, 2011.P. 45). Then the researcher may go through the recording and establish whether there is anything they have missed. By so doing, they will get the best results that are expected from the research. Lastly, the researcher can formulate a questionnaire as a guideline to help in asking the interviewee the questions. This will ensure that all the areas in the research are covered; hence, producing effective results for the study. What are some ways a researcher might mitigate the effects of ethical issues such as researcher bias, confidentiality, and influence of the data collection process on the sample in a qualitative research? Ethical consideration is important in any research to ensure that the participants of the research are respected and their cultural beliefs are not affected by the research. Therefore, it is important to ensure that ethical issues are taken into considerations all the time. The research may mitigate the effects of research bias, confidentiality and influence of data collection by first understanding the environment of the sample size (Banister, 2011. P.90). This will ensure that they have an understanding of the things that the participant does not want revealed. Secondly, the research may talk to the participants and establish the ground rules in order to ensure that the research does not cross the boundary, which the participant has prohibited. Thirdly, the researcher before beginning the research may sign a confidentiality form assuring the participants that anything or their names will not be disclosed in the research, as they will remain anonymous. Lastly, the researcher can ensure that he or she explains the context of the research to ensure that there is no influence that arises from the research. By so doing, the researcher will ensure that the ethical issues are mitigated in the research. Discuss some ethical considerations that are inherent when doing qualitative research. Ethical consideration in qualitative research include having consent from the participants that they willing to participate in the research. Consent is given by signing a consent form that informs the participants that they are willing to take part in research and they agree with the terms and conditions of the research. Secondly, there is confidentiality where if the participants request to be anonymous then it should remain that way. This assures the participants that in case of anything there will be no bias, for instance if the research is being carried out in the organization. Thirdly, the research should recognize the people or the authors of the books or journals in case secondary sources are used in the research (Wisdom et al. 2011. P. 14). This ensure that the research does not contain any plagiarism, as there is acknowledgement of the authors. The other ethical consideration in qualitative research is that the work should be novel and free from plagiarism. These ethical considerations are important in any qualitative research to ensure that it is valid and can be relied on by other researchers for future reference. How might these considerations be addressed? The above ethical consideration can be addressed by coming up with a consent form that allows the participants to sign against it indicating that they agree to be participants of the research. Secondly, the researcher can assure the participants confidentiality by signing a confidentiality form that is created by the institution where the researcher comes from indicating that the information given by the researcher will be used appropriately and that their names will remain anonymous while analysing the results (Francis et al. 2011.P.1254). Thirdly, references will be used as sources of the research to ensure that the authors of the information given in the research are acknowledged. This will avoid plagiarism in the results from using the works of other people without acknowledging such works. Lastly, the researcher can address the ethical considerations by ensuring that the research they have conducted is original and it does not use the works of other people unless as a reference. By so doing, the researcher ensures that there is validity in their works and it can be used as a reference or as a source to carry out further research. Conclusion Qualitative research is important in any case study because it brings out the actual things that are perceived by people through the sample size. However, this cannot be achieved without establishing the right research method, which allows the researcher to comfortably relate with the sample size without manipulating the results. Additionally, it is imperative to consider the ethical issues in the research to ensure that the participants are comfortable with the context of the research. By so doing, a research using qualitative method of research will have achieved their goal. References Banister, P. (2011). Qualitative methods in psychology: A research guide. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. Francis, J. J., Johnstone, M., Roberston, C., Glidewell, L., Entwistle, V., Eccles, M. P., & Grimshaw, J. M. (2011). What is an adequate sample size? Operationalising data saturation for theory-based interview studies. Psychology & Health, 25(10), p. 1229- 1245. Retrieved from DOI:10.1080/08870440903194015 Houghton, C., Casey, D., Shaw, D., & Murphy, K. (2012). Rigour in qualitative case-study research. Nurse Researcher, 20(4), P.12-17. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.7748/nr2013.03.20.4.12.e326 In Ritchie, J., In Lewis, J., In McNaughton, N. C., & In Ormston, R. (2014). Qualitative research practice: A guide for social science students and researchers. Saldaña, J. (2013). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. Los Angeles [i.e. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE Publications. Seidman, I. (2013). Interviewing as qualitative research: A guide for researchers in education and the social sciences. New York: Teachers College Press. Speziale, H. S., & Carpenter, D. R. (2011). Qualitative research in nursing: Advancing the humanistic imperative. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Streiner, D. L. (2013). A guide for the statistically perplexed: Selected readings for clinical researchers. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. Thomas, E., & Magilvy, J. K. (2011). Understanding Reliability and Validity in Qualitative Research. Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing, 6(2), P.151–155. Retrieved from DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6155.2011.00283.x Wisdom, J. P., Cavaleri, M. A., Onwuegbuzie, A. J., & Green, C. A. (2011). Methodological Reporting in Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Health Services Research Articles. Retrieved from DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-6773.2011.01344.x Read More