Data Collection Methods Comparison - Research Paper Example

Data Collection Methods Comparison Researchers have to select the most effective research approaches for their studies. In the event that researchers want to focus on qualitative research, they often have to choose between case studies, phenomenology, ethnography and narrative histories. Consequently, it is necessary to establish the different challenges and issues encountered when using the approaches. The Challenges Involved In the Three Qualitative Methods Phenomenological studies Phenomenology refers to the process of studying an idea or concept that contains a shared meaning for a small group of people. The method involves the lived experiences of a specific phenomenon (Aspers, 2009). For instance, a researcher can evaluate the experiences of individuals going through a period of grief. One of the challenges is the inability to focus on diverse aspects because the approach focuses on a single concept or idea. The researcher is expected to collect information by participating in the event. One of the challenges that can be faced in this method is the possibility of bias (Aspers, 2009). Phenomenological research provides a deep understanding of the experiences of a group of people. The information that is collected can be useful for educators and policy makers. The process of collecting data in phenomenological research can be streamlined using only single or multiple interviews. However, the effectiveness of the data collection process requires understanding the philosophical assumptions of the phenomenon (Reiner, 2012). The challenge experienced is the fact that the researcher should identify these assumptions. In addition, the effectiveness of the research process requires the participation of individuals who have experienced the phenomenon being studied. The approach will ensure that the researcher develops a common understanding of the issue. Phenomenological studies focus on the manner in which people comprehend the phenomena under review. One of the challenges for the researcher is to assume a certain degree of commonality in their experiences. It is also difficult to focus on the hidden human meaning of the experience (Reiner, 2012). The phenomenon being studied may be emotions, an aspect of culture, program or an organization. One of the central concepts in phenomenology is bracketing. The concept refers to the process of separating any prejudgment and previous experience from the phenomena being investigated. Although the concept is important, it is extremely difficult because researchers are human beings and their interactions with life events have a significant impact on their worldview. Ethnographic studies Ethnography is a qualitative research design involving an analysis of a group of people by focusing on their culture. In this approach, the researcher is expected to interpret and share his or her learned patterns of values, beliefs and languages of the group (Reeves, Kuper and Hodges, 2008). The different methods raise concerns that some anthropological methods may be misused or misapplied. The challenge involved in this approach can be linked to the fact that the research needs a fieldwork approach. Consequently, the researcher has to spend a substantial amount of time in the field. The process of collecting data in this approach requires a lot of time (Olga and Belinxten 2014). Another significant challenge is that the researcher must have a strong understanding of cultural anthropology. The term refers to social-cultural systems and the concepts explored by studying those cultures. Another significant challenge involved in ethnography is that most people perceive it as being unreliable. The perception can be linked to the credibility issues involved. Some participants have a tendency to give exaggerated information about the subject. Consequently, individual researchers have the responsibility of finding appropriate measures for addressing the credibility of their sources. They may have to pay close attention to the body language of the participants (Olga and Belinxten, 2014). In addition, they may be required to vet their participants. Furthermore, the process of collecting data in ethnography raises a number of ethical questions. If the researcher is known to the participants then that might undermine the reliability of the data that they collect (Olga and Belinxten, 2014). In addition, the amount of information that the participants have about the research has a direct impact on its reliability. The type of activities that the researcher partakes will have a significant impact on the data collected. In addition, the orientation of the researcher and his or her involvement in the situation has a direct impact on the data collection process. Narrative histories The use of narrative histories involves the collection of stories, documents, and group conversations about the experiences of a single or two individuals (Moen, 2006). The stories are recorded using interviews, observations and images. In some instances, images can be used. Then they will report the experiences and arrange them in a chronological order. The practice is done in an attempt to highlight the meaning of those experiences. The primary types of narratives are biographical studies (Bolivar and Domingo, 2006). One of the challenges is misrepresentation leading to inaccuracy, especially when writing and recording experiences that one has gone through. Auto ethnography involves the writing and recording of work that is done by the subject of the study. In contrast, life histories portray the lives of other people. Another type of narrative is the oral history that refers to the reflections of human beings concerning events, their causes and effects. A significant challenge in the oral process is the difficulty in capturing events with the desired accuracy. The most significant challenge involving the use of narrative research is that the process needs lot of information from the participants. The researcher may have a difficult time finding the individuals who participated in those events. In addition, many ethical issues surround the stories. For instance, the researcher will have to make a decision about the ownership of the stories. In addition, they will have to determine how to deal with the different impressions about its veracity and the process of managing any conflicting information. Although narrative research is an effective method, one of the challenges for the researcher is collecting extensive information about the participants (Moen, 2006). In addition, they have to develop a clear understanding of the context of their individual lives. Consequently, they must be very keen in order to ensure that they collect correct data. They have to ensure they collaborate actively with the participant. Another challenge is creating a strong relationship with the participant in order for them to trust the researcher. The collection, analyzing and telling of the individual stories may create many issues for the researcher. For instance, they have to determine the ownership of the story, the correct person to tell it, the person who can change it and the most convincing version. The challenges may complicate the process of collecting data. Another challenge faced by a researcher is making key decisions on the participants, materials, focus and scope of the study. The processes determine the reliability of the data. Consequently, all three qualitative approaches are similar because the effectiveness of the data collection process depends on the ability and experience of the researcher. Issues faced when collecting data using the approaches Phenomenological studies The three qualitative research designs pose different issues to the researcher. In phenomenological studies, the researchers are expected to demonstrate bracketing. The term refers to a methodological device used in phenomenological inquiries. The researchers should ignore beliefs about the phenomenon under study. In addition, they are required to act as if they did not know anything about the subject before the phenomenological investigation. The expectation is an issue for researchers because it is difficult to discard everything known about the subject. The difficulty can be linked to the need to find the deeper meaning of the phenomenon. The process often involves the application of acquired information (Reiners, 2012). Ethnographic studies Ethnographic studies involve issues that directly influence the reliability of the study. Firstly, the researchers have to ensure that the participants do not know them. If they are conducting a research study in an area where they are known, then the participants may fail to give correct information. Secondly, they have to determine the amount of information that the participants will receive about the study (Olga and Belinxten, 2014). If the participants know everything about the study, then they may give information that they believe will influence the outcome of the study. Thirdly, the researcher has to determine the activities to be observed. Participating in one event means that they are missing data about another event. Narrative histories The issues involved in narrative histories revolve around the credibility of the research process. The researcher has to prove that the participants took part in the event under study. In addition, they have to determine who should receive credit for the story. The issue of ownership of a story is an important thing in qualitative research. Participants receive information about one event from different participants creating a problem of managing conflicting information (Moen, 2006). The researchers have to establish the most credible version of the event from different versions. In as much as the issues are different, they involve concerns about credibility and ethics. Given that the processes involve human participants, it is necessary to understand human behavior. In addition, researchers have to understand the socio-cultural backgrounds of the participants for them to evaluate the veracity of the information received from them. Conclusion Many challenges and issues characterize the use of ethnographic studies, phenomenology and narrative stories. Consequently, the researcher has to consider many factors when deciding the appropriate methodology to adopt. It is noted that qualitative research methods are effective means of collecting data because they capture sensitive data that gives a true picture of the population. References Aspers, P. (2009). Empirical Phenomenology: A Qualitative Research Approach. (The Cologne Seminars). Indo Pacific Journal of Phenomenology, 9 (2), 1-12. Bolivar, A & Domingo, J. (2006).Biographical-narrative Research in Iberoamerica: Areas of Development and the Current Situation. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 7 (4). Moen, T. (2006). Reflections on the narrative research approach. International Journal of Qualitative Methodology, 5(4). Reiners, G.M. (2012). Understanding the Differences between Husserl’s (Descriptive) and Heidegger’s (Interpretive) Phenomenological Research. Nursing & Care, 1(5), 1-3. Reeves, S., Kuper, A & Hodges, B. D. (2008). Qualitative Research methodologies: ethnography BMJ Journal, 337:a1020. Olga, D. & Belinxten, M. (2014). The Challenges of Participant Observations of Cultural Encounters within an Ethnographic Study. Procedia-Social and Cultural Studies, 132,522-526. Read More