Chapter Nine : The Research Journey

The research design and methods of a study are constructed based on identifying the research problem, developing the theoretical framework, and reviewing the literature (Merriam, 2009). However, the heart of any research design, according to Maxwell (2013), is the research questions. The research questions help to focus the study and influence the choice of research design and methods for data collection. “More than any other aspect of your design, your research questions will have an influence on, and should be responsive to, every other part of your study” (Maxwell, 2013, p. 73).

Madeline’s debt payments-to-income ratio with the college loan is 31.85 percent; without the college loan it is 14.07 percent. According to the 20 percent rule, she cannot afford the college loan. However, after Madeline pays off her credit card debts, her debt payments-to-income ratio with the college loan will be 17.5 percent. Therefore, once she pays off her credit cards, she will be able to afford the loan. [ANSWER: 19.48%]

Power point slide Qualitative research is a difficult term to define…. Nevertheless, it is important to be familiar with some definitions in the field. The definition provided by Creswell 2009 is enlightening because it incorporates ……….. most important part of definition for me were reports detailed views of informants and natural setting.

‘Employing a qualitative methodology, underpinned by a constructivist world view, has provided the means to generate rich, deep and contextualised understandings of the research issue, and an appreciation of the socially constructed and experienced realities of the participants.’ (Highfield 2012)

Thus, this method gives a researcher an in-depth understanding of the participants’ experiences using qualitative inquiry to determine the why, when, where, what, and how of the study.

My positionality is composed both of cultural aspects and personal lived experiences that engender me towards certain perspectives (Holmes, 2014), thus introducing subjectivity in my research. As such, I must understand where my positionality is derived from to ensure that my research remains as “truthful” as possible (Holmes, 20014). I must remain self-conscious about my own views and positions and how they may influence my design, execution and interpretation of the research data findings (Greenback, 2003). Understanding my own positionality further guides me to remain cognizant of it while practicing and sustaining reflexivity throughout my research. Berger (2013) remarks it as a means of acknowledging my own subjectivity,

A qualitative methodological approach was the obvious choice in that it allows for the collection and interpretation of stories, narratives, interviews and other forms of non-quantifiable data. A qualitative approach also does not demand or strive for detached objectivity of the researcher but instead encourages the disclosure of researcher bias and the engagement of the researcher with the research and subjects, often in the role of participant-observer (Dade, Tartakov, Hargrave, & Leigh,

Research methodology and methodological approaches that is, the structured process of conducting research and the overall concepts and theories which underpin research respectively (Bryman, 2008), occupy a central position in the research process as they are both shaped by and translate the researcher’s epistemological position. Epistemology then refers to a researcher’s philosophical stance about the nature, derivation and scope of knowledge (Gilbert, 2008). These positions are seldom ‘spelt out’ but rather understood in the matter of research methodology and approach (Sarantakos, 2005).

Epistemological criticism argues that all approaches are unlikely to produce consistent evidence because of the inherent property. It will generate a new viewpoint. However, through abundant reading, triangulation will enlarge width and depth in qualitative research and provide an analysis with security- a overall perspective. Participants can improve the validity of research. Bloor (1978) argues that sociologists can establish a correspondence with participants, in which participants can identify, give assent and judgement to sociologists.

Researchers who uses qualitative study for addressing a problem they are interested in are most often confronted with enormous background knowledge they could use to make their research more successful. (Flick, 2007)

Qualitative research is conducted in a natural setting and attempts to understand a human problem by developing a holistic narrative and reporting detailed views of informants about the culture of a problem. It forms a report with pictures and words. One of the most important distinctions that sets qualitative research apart from more traditional types of research is that qualitative research is holistic in that researchers study phenomena in their entirety rather than narrowing the focus to specific defined variables” (p. 93). Similarly, Cresswell (1984) indicated that qualitative research “is defined as an inquiry process of understanding a social or human problem, based on building a holistic picture, formed with words, reporting detailed views of informants, and conducted in a natural setting” (p. 2). Cresswell’s definition clearly delineates the major characteristics of qualitative research. Pg. 50 (Smith & Davis, 2010).

Documentation, procedural, and ethical rigor was established in this research study with some suggestions for improvement to follow. This research was stated to be a hermeneutic phenomenological research using a mixed methodological approach, Colaizzi and van Manen. This researcher made in-depth clarifying statements to support the van Manen

When utilizing a qualitative approach, the task becomes one of determining the qualitative method to be used. Additionally, Stake (2010) used purpose, research design, and methodical data techniques as a way of classifying types of qualitative research. Similarly, Cresswell & Cresswell (2007) spoke of five practices of qualitative research. These five practices consist of biography, phenomenological study, grounded theory study, ethnography, and case study. This researcher chose a phenomenological study for this research project.

When selecting a research approach, Creswell (2014) outlines criteria that affect the choice of one approach over another. I have already discussed how my worldview, personal experiences, and identified problem of practice and the questions affect my research. The design, methods, and audience of my emerging research will also be considered in terms of choosing a research approach.

Over the last seven weeks students have dove into the study of research, receiving an introduction to a deeper level of conducting and reinterpreting different research methods. Questions such as, “What have you learned about research at an introductory level?” and “How do you evaluate or critique this from a biblical, Christian perspective?” will be answered in the personal case study that will be conducted on myself. The fascinating thing about research is that every individual conducts it in a different way. Though the case study helps set up a problem-answer- solution type model, individuals use personal explanations in illustrating the problem and indicating a means to solve this problem within the case study itself. The information that I have observed at an introductory level has been briefly composed in this case study.