Rose When Determining the Human Behavior Lead

¶ … rose when determining the human behavior lead to varying answers depending on the presupposed paradigm. (VASILACHIS DE GIALDINO, 1992). In the paper presented by Peterson Armour, I think the topic had the tendency to answers the raised questions differently, depending on whether the Epistemology of the subject is rejected or accepted. The author has tried his best to form a conclusion, which is independent from his personal views.

To discuss the ontological, axiological, and epistemological assumptions made by the author made in this study, a few questions need to be analyzed. How this 'reality' can be realized? What is the association between the knower (in this case the author and the respondents of the survey) and the known (the effects homicide on family members)? What principles, personality and assumptions guide the process of determining the achievements of this study? What is the possibility that this research will be repeated by other researchers or victims to assess the quality of the research and the reliability of those findings?

In the study, Armour (2002) states, "family members share the loss of their loved one, bear the stigma associated with murder, endure the re-victimization from outside institution and serve as point of reference to each other even though they may have differing reactions to murder and its subsequent events." This conclusion was interpreted through the results of the survey conducted for a small group of individuals (including the author, as he suffered from a similar trauma) and is assumed to be applicable to other individuals who have lost a loved one through homicide.

Another limitation in the ontological, axiological and epistemological representation was that the survey conducted was taken amongst the people using the homicide survivors' services. Other researchers believe that very small proportions of influenced survivors use these services, some of which do not feel the need to such services. So this survey mainly included the experiences of individuals who "were traumatized the most" and already had a biased opinion about the findings and suggestions of this document. (Flick, 1998)

Armour chose qualitative methods to conduct his research. A qualitative research is useful tool to "discover the new and to develop empirically grounded theories" (Flick, 1998). The scope of qualitative research technique aims to expand, create, modify and supersede the concerned theory. These are exactly the reasons Peterson decided to employ qualitative method to formulate his findings. As this is a fairly new research (at the time), the first task was to develop an understanding, and making the individual cases significant in the context of the theory by giving them some prospective. It "explains, defines, clarifies, elucidates, illuminates," constructs, and discovers (Morse, 2004, p.739). According to Maxwell (2004), qualitative analysis helps to analyze and explain how some events can have a leading influence on other events. And to properly underline the cause and effect process through this research the author rightly chose to go with a qualitative approach.

If the research is carried again with a mixed-method approach, to include qualitative and quantitative methods then we would see participation from a large group belonging to different ethnicities and coming from a more diversified population. But the basic philosophical assumption remains that different people "may have differing reactions to murder and its subsequent events" as everyone deals with stress and these situations differently. But an assumption has to be made to discount this factor to come to a general conclusion. (Morse, 2004)

Adding to current criteria of research I would recommend refining the concepts gained and should ask more specific questions in the interviews conducted to construct a more informed theory. Include disconfirming evidence and allow room for alternative findings. Form new interpretation and try to erroneous as well as correct so that the readers may form their own opinions.