There is
the practice of occult spiritualism for treatment of various ailments in tribal
community of Nepal, specially in rural area. Such practices are not only
limited in rural places but outreached to urban area also. They have their own
treatment methods, defined centres, practitioners and people following them
regularly. Let’s say researchers are interested to know the factors behind its
existence and peoples belief toward these practice even at the time of
scientifically stablished conventional treatment system. What methodologies
will researcher follow? How data will be collected? what should be the purpose
of study?
Exploratory
research
As in above-mentioned
real-life scenario, the prime purpose of researcher is to know something about
this unknown and unexplored practice. Such studies are termed as exploratory
research, where we search for new concepts, idea, belief, attitude, and impact on
society etc. which has not been explored before. For the future research, the collected
data and conclusion of study, will be the foundation for descriptive research, which
will dig deep with defined questioner, sample size, statistical methods to get
more concrete information over the facts established by exploratory research. Exploratory
research always probes to gets answer of ‘what’ and ‘why’ and methodology followed
is obviously qualitative research method.
Qualitative
research method
This is
method of enquiry, that helps in-depth understanding of problems or issues or
our matter of interest in their natural setting by non-statistical methods. The
whole research process is dependent upon experience of investigator with the
participants regarding that particular research question. Different methods are
being employed to collect data such as focus group discussion, in depth interviews,
ethnographic research, text analysis and case study research. Here, former two
methods -the most commonly used will be discussed
In depth interviews
v Patients are enrolled from one particular treatment centre
who
v Questioners mainly asked why they are using this
particular treatment
vSemi-structured questioner is used with intent of getting
information on disease, psychology, socioeconomic and other confounding factors
v Before reaching to patients/participants, consent has to
be taken from those hospital/healer/practitioners to use their patient after
explaining the objectives of the study
v Inclusion/exclusion criteria is varied according to
objectives. Generally, for in depth interview, investigator as well as
participants should know the vernacular language.
v Number of Participants recruited be determined by the information
they are providing. Unless there is no new information given by the
participants, recruitment continues.
v Interviews are conducted in private room, where participants
feel comfortable to share their personal belief, experiences and any
confidential information.
v Generally, one investigator conducts the interviews and
1or 2 assistant will help by collecting data.
Focus group
discussion
v Conducted to know the general view of community toward
that particular treatment or researcher problems.
v Generally peoples who are well known about the topics are
gathered together in different groups and a moderator will facilitate the
discussion within the group members.
v Again, semi-structured questioner is employed to know
peoples view and every idea are appreciated. Experience of moderator will play vital
role to get more interesting facts by throwing probing questions.
v Number of groups can be variable according to demographic
distribution of community.
Different approach of data analysis
The collected information need to be organized and analysed
in qualitative study also but different approach is employed. There is no any
predefined data analysis methods. Here nature and extent of information
collected during FGD and personal interview will determine what approach will
be appropriate for data analysis. These are the basic steps of data analysis in
qualitative research.
v Transcribing all data: converting the data into textual format.
v Organizing data: a tedious process which demand great effort. Finally clean data will be obtained according to research objectives
v Coding: expression of data into understandable format for software.
v Data validation: accuracy and reliability of data is validated throughout the process.
v Conclusion of data: Finding the research outcome according to objectives.
v Transcribing all data: converting the data into textual format.
v Organizing data: a tedious process which demand great effort. Finally clean data will be obtained according to research objectives
v Coding: expression of data into understandable format for software.
v Data validation: accuracy and reliability of data is validated throughout the process.
v Conclusion of data: Finding the research outcome according to objectives.
Applicability of Qualitative research
v In general, this method
is extensively applied in Market research related to consumer satisfaction and impact
of the product on market demand.
v In epidemiology, impact of any treatment, health care service,
new health governance and its impact on social structure, traditional belief in
community etc. can be studied.
v In clinical research scenario, qualitative methods helps in
advancement of healthcare system. Eg: novel monitoring of COPD via
mobile-health technology.
v In psychology,
qualitative research has been extensively used to know human social behaviour
and cultures. Social phenomenon like experiences, perception, behaviour and aspect
related to it can best understood in natural setting rather than experimental.
v Library and information system (LIS) can use this method
to expand their horizon.
Thank You !!!
References For Further Reading
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