" (Byrne et al., 47) This is an important idea to consider in desiring to reflect validity in a qualitative approaches taken toward PTSD. Here, the intent for the researcher is to 'ground' his experiment in a thorough understanding of the research subject, with the primary research problem being the need to understand the nature of PTSD. The research purpose would be to gather and consult a sufficient number of academic sources to provide a meaningful definition of PTSD. The primary research question will ask the following: Can a fuller definitional understanding of PTSD promote better diagnostic capabilities amongst military doctors and therapists? Phenomenological Research:

In certain study cases, external validity or the potential for generality are not practical goals. Instead, the uniqueness of a subject may denote the need for a research approach which is governed by its understanding of the subject's perception as individualistic, governed by personal experiences and capable of yielding insights which cannot be duplicated. The purpose of such a phenomenological research approach might be most useful in the sociological or psychological context, where researchers may possess a specific interest in understanding the individuality in certain human response tendencies. Here, a research problem might be concerned with the proclivity toward violent or criminal behavior amongst those with PTSD. The research purpose would be to engage in a one-on-one consultation with an individual who has lapsed into such violence and criminality in order to better understand the individual vagaries of his situation. The primary research question will ask the following:...

This produces a thick verbal description of the subject and events surrounding the subject. According to Read (2005), "narrative research focuses on the lives and experiences of individuals and the findings from narrative research are generally written up as stories. It involves the researcher in the collecting of stories, the retelling of these stories, collaboration with the storyteller about what has been recorded and then the production of a narrative report." (Read, p. 4)
This would serve the research problem of tracing the memories and experiences of the subject during combat forward to the occurrence of emotional disorder. The research purpose would be to understand the way that returning soldiers describe and contextualize their traumatic experiences. The primary research question will ask the following: How do combat soldiers suffering from PTSD recall their wartime experiences?

Works Cited:

Byrne, N.; Regan, C. & Livingston, G. (2006). Adherence to Treatment in Mood

Disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 19, p. 44-49.

Garson, J. (2006). Ethnographic Research. North Carolina State University.

Patton, M.Q. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods. Sage Publications.

Read, J. (2005). Research Methodology. Child Computer Interaction Group.