Narrative research and phenomenology – Essay Help
Introduction
A research paradigm is the gathering of shared views and agreements among scientists about the way to interpret and resolve challenges (Kivunja & Kuyini, 2017). In general term, qualitative research is considered as an ethnographic, naturalistic, anthropological, field, or participant-observer study for investigative methodologies. It highlights the value of looking at variables in the familiar setting they are found in. Variables must interact, and open-ended questions obtain their detailed information. In this research, significant steps that are involved in conducting research will be discussed briefly which will be followed by different business design its evaluation and their merits and demerits in research designs for a project will be deliberated—and also critically reviewing and evaluating the research literature. Lastly, designing research on a particular project by explaining its limitations, advantages and technical and ethical implication.
Steps involved in conducting qualitative research
- Decide on a question researcher want to study.
A proper research must be straightforward, concise and achievable. To conduct qualitative research, the researcher needs to why people do things or have faith in something. One of the most significant parts of the research process is the research questions. It decides whether researchers want to learn or understand, and it also helps to concentrate the research, so they cannot explore all at once. Also, the analysis issue will influence how they perform the report since different topics involve different investigation methods. Researchers must start with a burning question and then narrow it down further to make it reasonable enough for useful research.
- Do a literature review
A literature review is a means of reviewing what others have written on your research issue and particular subject (Ramdhani, 2014). On the more significant field, researchers read widely and observe studies that relate to the topic. After this, they prepare an analytical report which produces and assimilates existing research instead of merely presenting a brief chronological overview of each study. In other words, they’re “researching the research”. Also, a literature review assists them to decide whether they are sincerely involved and dedicated to the subject and study issue and if there is a void in current studies that they want to fill out by conducting their analysis.
- Evaluate whether qualitative research is the right fit for the research question
Qualitative methods are helpful where a simple ‘yes’ or no’ hypothesis can’t answer a question. Qualitative analysis is also precious for addressing problems of “how” or “what.” They are often beneficial when budgetary decisions need to be taken into consideration (Clancy & Collins, 2014).
- Consider the ideal sampling size
Qualitative analysis approaches do not rely as much as quantitative methods on broad sample sizes on on, but they can also provide valuable observations and results. Evaluate potential outcomes. Since qualitative methodologies are usually comprehensive, the likelihood of any beneficial products emerging out of the study is almost always there. It is different from a quantitative experiment, where an unproven assumption may mean it may take a lot of time. It is therefore vital to remember the research budget and the available financial capital as it is often easier and cheaper to plan and execute (Shah, 2008).
- Choose a qualitative research methodology.
Qualitative research design is the most flexible of all experimental techniques, so researchers have several accepted methodologies available. There exist different research methodology under qualitative research; they are action research that focuses on solving the immediate problem. Ethnography is the study of human activity in communities through direct group involvement and observation. Likewise, phenomenology is the subjective experience of others (Nygård, 2007). Similarly, grounded theory is to develop the approach based on that are collected and analyzed systematically. Lastly, the case study method is the in depth study of a specific individual in its exciting context.
- Collecting data
Research methodology has used one or more methods to gather observational data, including interviews, evaluation of subjects, fieldwork, archival study, documentary materials, etc. The way data is collected will depend on the methods of the research. For the collection of data, researchers need to participant observation, and it can occur through videotape playback or live observation of a situation or research subjects. Researchers make specific observations of a situation indirect observation, without having any influence or participation in any way (Ciesielska et al., 2018). Similarly, Interviews in general, qualitative interviewing is the method of obtaining evidence by asking people questions. Interviews can be very diverse-they can be on-on-one, but they can also take place over the telephone or the internet or in small groups which are “focus groups”.
- Analyze data
After collecting data, researchers can start analysing it and come up with answers and philosophies to their question about the study. While there are several ways to evaluate data, all kinds of analysis in quantitative research involve textual analysis that may be in a written or verbal. Among various data analysis, the narrative analysis will be used, and it focuses on content and speech like grammar, metaphor, usage of words, meaning situation, story themes, the social, cultural, and political content of the narrative.
- Write up research
When preparing a qualitative study, researchers need to focus on their audience for whom they are writing. They also need to make sure that the propose of the research question is convincing after that they need to explain their research methodology and analyze in details.
Business Research Design and Methods
Research design is an approach for responding to the researcher’s research question. It is a method applied to bring the plan into practice. Research design and methods are separate but closely linked as quality research design ensures that the data they gather can assist them to respond more efficiently to their research questions. The research method depends on the researcher research goal also on what subject the researcher want to study. For instance, if they wanted to research on what makes people happy or it may be why some people wanted to hang out with their friend rather than staying at home. To answer these questions, they need to decide how to collect data. Various business research method includes;
- Observation / Participant Observation
Participant observation is a qualitative form of study in which the researcher not only scrutinizes the candidates in the research but also keenly involves the participants in the research activities which allows the researcher to integrate into the environment of the participants, while still taking detailed notes on what is happening. Many researchers who perform studies of the participants take on the position they are interested in researching. The strength of using participant observation is that it offers understanding, a genuine and empathetic perspective into one’s subject matter (Baker, 2007). It also adds to the advantages of other types of observation, some of the benefits of interviews (especially group interviews), as the researcher can test people for explanations or more information. The weakness of this method is that there’s no doubt that participants may change what they have observed. So while it is deemed to generate rich, reliable data, the fact that what is being examined may be very different from what would have happened without the researcher being present will undermine this.
- Surveys
Survey Research is the process by which researchers conduct research using surveys that they send to survey respondents. The data gathered from surveys are then analysed statistically to draw meaningful conclusions from the analysis. There are several advantages and disadvantages of this research as it easy to administer, it can be developed in a short period, it is cost-effective as compared to others. It can depend on the mode of the survey, and also can be conducted through online, mobile service and so on. Likewise, the disadvantages of this method are participants may not feel to provide accurate, honest answers; Respondents may not feel secure while giving solutions that unfavorably introduce themselves. Also, respondents may not be fully aware of their motives for any given response due to lack of memory on the subject, or even boredom,
- Interviews
An interview is a very comprehensive approach by which a person approaches sincerely into a stranger’s life thoroughly and can bring all the necessary knowledge and evidence for research. They have various style and methods of taking interviews, and the main aim of these methods is to know whether the participant can act differently according to the situation and circumstances (Qu & Dumay, 2011). In-depth interviews are especially useful when the objective is to capture sensitive feedback. It can be performed in-person or over the telephone to gain a more in-depth insight into specific goals by testing for responses of quality. Advantages of this method are it offers flexibility to the interviewee.
Similarly, an interview has a more muscular response rate than postal questions, and those who cannot read and write will answer the questions as well; also the interviewer will judge the respondent’s nonverbal behavior. There are also some drawbacks of it, as it can be costly and time consuming. It can cause biases is the interviewer’s depending upon their race, class, age or from physical appearances.
- Focus Groups
Typically, the focus group mentions to a group of 10 or fewer volunteers who work together to explore a single topic or concept. Researchers will ask them a set of questions or give them a product to test out, after which they can express their thoughts, suggestions and reactions openly. They view and research all their responses to determine the possible response of the broader market population. Focus groups are the methods; the advertisement industry typically uses to assess the potential effect of a consumer product. Merits of focus groups are based on interviewee profiles; it provides a diverse set of responses (Heary & Hennessy, 2012). Focus groups are likely to confirm insights gained from other approaches. It is cost-effective to get valid information.
Moreover, it gives simple methods of organizing in B2C environments. Moving on to the disadvantage of the focus group, the B2B setting is challenging to manage. In a focus group, the interviewee has less to speak than in interviews. Some members of a focus group can dominate the conversation. Preventing moderator bias can be difficult, and the cost could be prohibitive for a focus group.
Review and Evaluate Research Literature
In general, a review of research literature defines, reviews and synthesizes the appropriate literature for a particular research area. It explores in what way expertise within site has grown, presenting what has previously been achieved, what is broadly agreed, what is changing and what is the current state of thought on the subject. Literature refers to a set of written information/materials about a particular topic or subject fields, such as academic-value books and journal articles. But the analysis of the literature does not need to be representative of any book and commentary published on the subject, or it is going to be too large (Rhoades, 2011). It must provide primary references relevant to the study area’s core controversies, developments and holes. Research literature analysis offers far more than just a list of specific sources. The evaluation act includes analysing particular sources as well as synthesising individual sources to achieve a broad field perspective. A literature review at this ‘field level’ addresses popular and evolving approaches, unique patterns and developments, areas of dispute and contention and discrepancies in the business-related literature. If one can see these things clearly, he or she will be able to situate their own analysis and add to current conversations within the field. Reviewing the research literature does not include all the article that researcher has read. It is necessary to be careful about the outlets one want to answer. Make sure the sources that have been used to review are applied directly to your research question(s) and subject, i.e. business project. It is also necessary that the researcher required to think about the legitimacy and reliability of sources critically (Tyler, 2007). Writing research literature includes examination and interpretation of prior studies relevant to the business. Research and synthesis may seem to be two opposite methods. In contrast, analysis requires the thorough breaking down of the related literature, however, in the research literature, the researcher can note the similarity between analysis and synthesis when one zoom in to examine a single source closely, then zoom out to consider it in relation to the broader area.
To recognise common patterns, trends and areas of consensus or disagreement within study field, the researcher need to synthesise the related sources after evaluating a variety of sources, integrating, linking and placing them against each other. Into its constituent’s parts, synthesis is an act of combining individual elements found in the analysis.
