Controversial Topics: The Weaver-Hightower

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.

Qualitative research reflects different ways that researcher’s collect data and explore all of the information through literature review. Participant’s that are reviewing is often observed for analysis while “the role of the researcher focuses as the primary data collection instrument necessitates the identification of personal values, assumptions and biases at the outset of the study; Qualitative researchers ask at least one central question” (Creswell, 2014, which can be explored in several contexts with further questions. According to the text Research Design (2014) “the researcher’s role is typically involved in a

* How might these methodological considerations affect the research findings and the conclusions drawn from them?

Maxwell (2005) also notes that qualitative research can be used to address various issues and is not restricted to one ontological stance. The method also involves developing a relationship with the people one is studying, an aspect that is important in defining the authenticity of the data and determining the course of action.

Research is critical to the advancement of our current knowledge and plays a significant factor in addressing challenges we currently face (Hagan, 2010). Through research, new methods of solving problems, as well as gaps which exist in current practice are identified and new methods of resolving them identified. Research also helps policymakers within the system of law enforcement to recognize gaps which may exist in the enforcement of law and come up with solutions to such. For research to be undertaken, a clear research problem needs to be identified. According to Hagan (2010), a research problem is an expression or detail of a clear statement touching on the area the research is concerned about, a specific condition which needs to be improved,

5. From a personal perspective as an African American female teacher, the researcher has a personal bias. Therefore, it is necessary for the researcher to separate personal views from the study. To ensure trustworthiness in qualitative research, the researcher must construct the reality of participants’ responses and make sure that her personal views do not cloud the integrity of the study (Giorgi, 2009). The researcher will need to separate her values and perceptions from the research and focus strictly on the revealed evidence of the study.

This section provides an overview of some of the issues arising from what the researchers focus on.

What new insights do you now have about defining a research problem and a research need? How would you now explain Happy Dogs’ research

According to Baridam (2001), it is not enough to review literature without presenting the studies by topic and determining how each of these topics relates to the researcher’s own study. A systematic presentation of the literature forms the foundation of the study.

I was faced with the challenge that I was unable to source extensive primary evidence to thoroughly substantiate my research, where I sent copious questionnaires to specialists, though, they had little time and lacked causal information, where this is currently a developing field of psychology, thus, I was unable to achieve sufficient information. As a result, I made the decision to draw relevant information from sources and develop informed conclusions, as this allowed me to synthesize information effectively. This was extensively helpful as it allowed me to develop theories which had not yet been formed about

This research is significant due to the differing approaches of theory and practice. Theoretical approaches often through

Research is about systematically obtaining and analysing data to increase our knowledge about a topic in which we are interested (Saunders et al. 2010). In order to develop a good research topic the objectives needs to be clearly identified.Formulating a research question is an intellectually challenging and time-consuming undertaking (Saunders and Lewis, 2012). Denescombe mentions (2012, p.167) that “ a topic for research should be something that lends itself to being researched using methods that are conventional within the field of study ” and “ the questions posed are of a kind that research can answer ” .

As a novice qualitative researcher, I have and will continue to acknowledge the value my own situated experiences and knowledge. This ultimately relates to reflexivity, which is a “focus on how does who I am, who I have been, who I think I am, and how I feel affect data collection and analysis – that is, an acceptance and acknowledgment that how knowledge is acquired, organized, and interpreted is relevant to what the claims are” (Pillow, 2003, p. 176). Considering this allows me to be accountable for my thoughts and my social and political stance while going through the process of research.

concerns (Todres, 2007). Todres (2007) and McCormick (2010) suggest the researcher can remedy this by staying in connection with his or her own ‘felt sense’.

One of the stages in writing a research paper is the literature review. Since there is very little that has not been studied in some form, good researchers find out all they can about their subjects before they commence their own study. Not only is it imperative to acquire what is already know about the subject, but a literature review enables the researcher to identify what is not known or well understood (Lanier & Briggs, 2014). By conducting a literature review, one verifies what else needs to be done. A literature review is an important aspect of any research paper. Additionally, reviews indicate what already exists, what has been learned and what has not been learned. By conducting a review, researchers are able to consider what can be modified on past studies that will develop the research question better. A review can provide ideas for changing some of the conditions or variables of previous studies, which may result in different outcomes. Not only do researchers become more educated about a subject, but can essentially aid in designing their own studies. Good researchers understand there are three primary categories to utilize when conducting a literature review. The first category to review is general sources, which offer hints on the locations of references, a general overview, and introduction to a topic (Salkind, 2012). The second category is secondary sources which are “once removed” from actual research (Salkind, 2012). Secondary sources can include