Personal Learning The field of qualitative research

My learning in the field of qualitative research 1. In terms of qualitative methodology and the problems of scientism/positivism, what does it mean to recognize the limits of exactitude and certainty, but still to have respect for empirical work? Where do you presently locate yourself paradigmatically and methodologically in terms of your own investments in producing knowledge? As a research strategy, positivism can be an approach that is based on the ontological principle and the concept that reality and truth are usually free and independent of the individual and observer.

A large number of critics and philosophers who are concerned with the idea and concept of investigation and research agree with this statement. The definition of truth as an independent, objective and autonomous existence of positivism can be seen in various works.

A positivist researcher believes that the world adjusts to the unchanging and perpetual rules and laws of circumstances and causation; there exists a complex and intricate situation that can be prevented by reductionism; and with the belief of assertion of importance and insistence on measurement, repeatability, impartiality, and objectivity (Richardson & St. Pierre, 2005; Pillow, 2003). These philosophers have a view of the entire universe as being independent, realistic and with an objective analysis.

Positivist researchers frequently use methodologies such as qualitative analysis, nomothetic experiments, laboratory experiments, deduction and confirmatory analysis (Creswell & Poth, 2018). A researcher of sometimes an interpretivist inquirer argues that there is no such thing as a universal or global truth. This kind of researcher perceives, understands and explains from his or her research references. The researcher believes that the impartiality that is indifferent and unattached is unrealistic and that the realism of the structure of the circumstances is key.

These researchers equally have a biased and subjective perception of the universe. The interpretivist scholars have applied methodologies for research that include qualitative analysis, field experiments, idiographic experiments, and exploratory analysis. Certain versions of interpretivism change social reality to concepts, interpretations, and beliefs, therefore, denying any ideas if the independence of different reality aspects from personal and collective perceptions. Therefore, this type of interpretivism takes into account a limited ontological approach.

The reality is conceptualized as an agential action that is operated by interpretations and meanings that are subjective and also inter-subjective (Creswell & Poth, 2018). The argument takes into consideration the epistemological thesis which states that the knowledge we have of the reality cannot go further than the collective and personal interpretations and explanations. The paradigm of positivists stresses that the factual and real occurrences can be observed and studied scientifically and also empirically by applying a lucid way of rational analysis and investigations.

The determining factor for the assessment and appraisal of systematic scientific facts and logical theory should answer whether the researcher’s viewpoint of facts (i.e., theory-based on guesses and hunches) should be consistent or reliable depending on the methods used in acquiring the knowledge using their insights (Bhattacharya, 2017). The methodology and approach of positivist research (methodological uniqueness) looks into experimentation and micro-level analysis in a laboratory set up that lacks the complexity of the outside world.

(e.g., financial connections such as joblessness, an offense like suicide, psychosomatic and societal). Based on the completion of the scientific and logical method, strategies can be arrived at (e.g., antidepressants for those in despair, training for the jobless, career training, jail time for criminals). Recently, psychologists have come to an understanding that resulting outcomes entail internal efficacy (i.e. the processes analyzed and observed during the experiment are genuine and entailed in the circumstances). 2.

In relation to Q1, how would you ensure that your study (mini project) is well designed? Within the concept of situated methodology, identify and discuss at least 6 key elements of a successful design for your qualitative study. The designing process of a quantitative methodology starts by identifying the research objectives. The objectives of the study require proper conceptualization, documentation, and determination of everything involved including sampling approaches, data collection methods, dissemination strategy and format, analysis and instrument development.

Though the most challenging section of a research initiative is establishing objectives, the process must be put into consideration so as to guide data collection. The following is a base format from which you can start to strategically build your research (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Decision section Given Options (options may not be mutually exclusive) Certain Considerations Primary Purpose of the Study Understand a Real-World Problem.

Research should mainly be based on the need to help or provide a solution to problems in the real world which can be transferred to researchers by clients, sponsors, and stakeholders. Findings are supposed to promote recommendations that are doable and based on evidence Build Knowledge/Theory. Research is mainly based on the already available theories and works of literature. Findings are supposed to add information to the already existing literature and theories. Develop an Intervention/Program. Research is aimed at developing a given program, intervention or product.

Findings are supposed to directly add information and/or evidence of the concept of a given program or intervention. Evaluate something. Research is aimed at evaluating a product, intervention or program. Research is focused on specific aspects. The results entail the evaluation. Inform a Larger Study. The main purpose of the study is to make information available required for the research of a larger study. The minor component can be taken as a formative research for an existing component of a bigger study. Research is focused on specific aspects.

Findings should be made to provide information directly to another research component of the entire research findings. Main Target Audience of the Findings · Clients · Researchers · Academicians · Funders · Sponsors · Community Stakeholders · Dissertation board Appraisal process differs depending on the audience and end users of the research findings. You should know what criteria to use BEFORE commencement of data collection.

What Is Already Known About Topic · Nothing reported on the topic · Part of the qualitative study has been conducted on the title and not on the research population · Some qualitative study has been conducted on the study topic and on the research population · The good part of a qualitative and quantitative study has been conducted on the topic considering the target population for the study More exploration is required on a topic that is less known.

You should always begin with available secondary information (if available) then continue from there. Your research should be accurate if there is available data (QT and QL) on the given area of your research. Your study should be on point and relevant in scope as you proceed.

Focus of Research · Clear comprehension of the topic · Somehow deep —but also want an idea of variations of perspectives · Large—variation displayed across the target population Delving into a given topic deeply will require you to explore fewer resources. You can combine information from different places. You will be required to moderate one section unless you have numerous resources and ample time. The depth of a given topic should be based on qualitative methods and size be limited to quantitative methods.

Objective(s) of Study · Determine · Analyze · Describe · Interpret · Assess/Evaluate Subtle variations exist on the considerable overlap of these objectives. The questions for interviews and target groups and presentation of observations differ with each objective. Apply verbs that are relevant to your study though you should ensure your objectives are applicable for qualitative inquiries. You will be heading in the direction of quantitative analysis then you will have phrases such as how many, test, or measure.

This does not discourage you but shows you that your objectives and collection methods need to change. Time Parameters · Urgent need for data · Understandable deadline · No deadline Availability of time largely affects the scope and the depth of the study. The urgent the data is required then the smaller the size of the research. The nature of longitudinal studies takes more time.

Available Resources · Individual effort · Medium team · Large team · Infrastructure located Data Collection Site(s) Just like time, the scope of the study is also affected by human resources. The research can be completed quickly depending on a large number of colleagues. Working in a group requires increased processes for enhancement of accuracy of analysis and data collection. Types of infrastructure such as electricity, roads, and communication among others are not usually dependable. You should familiarize yourself with infrastructural resources before completion of your study.

It is important to always have a plan B in case things go wrong. 3. Then how would you ensure that your study turns out to be a good quality qualitative study? Discuss what criteria you like to use to ensure the quality of your mini project and how they are effective in producing “truthful” and useful findings.

In order to ensure the credibility of the study data, the traditional criteria - reliability, validity and objectivity - are applied in experimental and scientific studies since they are established on standard equipment and the analysis can be conducted in a forthright way. On the contrary, qualitative research is not based on the standardized equipment and they frequently use non-random samples that are relatively smaller (Saldaña & Omasta, 2017; Richardson & St. Pierre, 2005).

The stated evaluation criteria do not strictly apply to the qualitative criteria especially when the researcher’s interest is in questioning and comprehending the definition and description of the phenomena. The question lies on whether the given evaluation paradigm has credibility in qualitative research. In order to ascertain that my study is credible and valuable, I can apply the following strategies. I. Credibility The validity of qualitative study to the researcher and not necessarily to other people is majorly because of the possibility of several realities.

The reader has the authority to judge the depth of the study’s credibility upon his or her comprehension of the research. A majority of cynics would argue that there exists no single reality that can be discovered, however, that every person develops a reality unique to his or her own (Richardson & St. Pierre, 2005). Therefore, from an interpretive viewpoint, comprehension is co-created without an objective reality or truth where the research results comparison can be accomplished.

Thus, the importance of including member to look into the findings so as to increase credibility, interpretations, and conclusions from studied participants, and feedback on research data. Though it has some limitations, member checking into research findings is seen as an important technique in credibility establishment (Creswell & Poth, 2018). II. Transferability Generalizability in qualitative research is sometimes ignored in support of developing the local comprehension of a given situation.

The researcher has presented an in-depth explanation of the research making data description to reveal ample information allowing readers to evaluate the importance of the implications provided by the findings and making their own conclusions concerning the research outcomes transferability (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Accordingly, the issue of generalizability has to be solved by the reader of the study report depending on how similar the contexts of the readers and researchers are.

It depends on the judgment of a given context and the related phenomena that allow readers to evaluate the transferability of the results to another setup. III. Reliability The concept of reliability is ever changing and is therefore highly contextual depending on different factors. The following are six strategies that enhance qualitative research internal validity. · Triangulation - applying numerous data sources for confirmation of research findings.

· Examination of peers · Participatory research modes · Member checks - providing data and unconfirmed interpretations to the study group to confirm the plausibility of the results Defining the biases and assumptions, theoretical orientation and worldview of the researcher’s study. IV. Ethical considerations The researcher in a qualitative study should interact largely with the study participants and supervisor so as to penetrate individual parameters of learning problems, values, and weaknesses.

It is significant to guarantee that the researcher sticks to ethical guidelines of the study that includes; · Informed consent - the study participants should be familiarized with the nature, collection methods and purpose of the study before they can consent to take part in the research. · Risk and harm - researcher should confirm that no harm came to the participants either psychologically or physically due to their participation.

· Trust and honesty · Anonymity, privacy and confidentiality of the participants to be maintained by the elimination of any identifying features before the distribution of the report. · Voluntary participation 4. How would you evaluate your own learning as a novice qualitative researcher throughout the course? Where did you succeed? Where did you struggle? Qualitative methods of data collection are inductive and flexible to provide distinct advantages compared to quantitative methods.

The main advantage lies in the ability to examine participants responses as required so as to gather detailed explanations of beliefs, experiences, and behaviors - therefore answering the how and why questions. These collection methods are frequently used to answer the hows and whys of mankind behavior difficult information - which is a difficult information to acquire using quantitative-based data collection methods (Creswell & Poth, 2018). Practitioners and researchers in different fields.