Rersearch Approaches: Case study, Ethnographic, Grounded, narrative and action research

Summary

Today's class delved into various research approaches, including case study, grounded theory, ethnographic research, narrative inquiry, and action research. Each method was explored for its unique characteristics, such as the in-depth 360° perspective of case studies, the theory-building process of grounded theory, the immersive and long-term nature of ethnography, the story-based understanding of narrative inquiry, and the practical, change-oriented approach of action research. The lecture emphasized the importance of selecting the right research method based on the study's objectives and provided insights into how each approach contributes to the research process.

Takeaways

• 📚 Research approaches are crucial for structuring a research study and providing direction for research projects.
• 🔍 The initial step in research is identifying a specific area of study to focus on, which helps in narrowing down the scope of research.
• 📖 Conducting a literature review (a priori) is essential to understand what has been previously studied in the chosen research area.
• ❓ Formulating a good research question is a critical step as it guides the methodology and data collection process.
• 🔍 The methodology defines the source of data collection, whether primary or secondary, and helps in participant description or source identification.
• 📊 Data collection can be qualitative, quantitative, or mixed, and the analysis methods vary accordingly.
• 🔗 Posteriori analysis helps relate research findings to existing literature and can lead to new research or societal applications.
• 📝 Case study method is an investigative approach used to understand a group or individual in-depth, often focusing on a smaller, restrictive population.
• 🌐 Ethnographic research involves in-depth, long-term study of a group or culture, employing multiple methodologies to achieve a theoretical understanding.
• 📖 Narrative inquiry focuses on understanding experiences as stories, using verbal and written narratives to explore subjective phenomena.
• 🔄 Action research is a flexible, applied methodology aimed at supporting change through research, integrating social research with practical actions.

Q & A

What are the steps involved in conducting a research study?

The steps involved in conducting a research study include identification of the research area, doing a basic review of literature (a priori), formulating research questions, defining methodology, data collection, data analysis, and defining posteriori which helps relate findings to existing literature.

Why is it important to narrow down the research area during the initial phase of research?

Narrowing down the research area is crucial as it allows for a more focused and structured approach to research, enabling in-depth study of a specific component rather than attempting to study everything, which is impractical.

What is the purpose of a priori in research?

A priori serves to review existing literature in a specific research area, helping to derive the need for the study and narrow down research questions based on what has already been studied.

How does methodology guide the research process?

Methodology guides the research process by determining the sources of data collection, whether primary or secondary, and defining participant descriptions or sources of secondary data, which in turn shapes how data is collected.

What is the case study method and when is it used?

The case study method is an investigative approach used to understand a group of people or an individual in detail, often employed when a specific phenomenon is observed or to gain new understanding of a rare population.

What are the characteristics of a case study?

Characteristics of a case study include bounding the case to set boundaries on what is studied, having a clear purpose, and focusing on a restrictive population, often for in-depth understanding rather than generalization.

What is grounded theory and when is it used in research?

Grounded theory is used when existing theories are insufficient to define a phenomenon or are incomplete. It involves data collection and analysis to construct a new theory or redefine an existing one.

What are the types of grounded theory?

There are two types of grounded theory: classical grounded theory, which focuses on developing new theories from data analysis, and constructivist grounded theory, which emphasizes understanding subjective experiences.

What is ethnographic research and how does it differ from other research methods?

Ethnographic research involves in-depth investigation of a group or culture over an extended period, often using multiple methodologies. It differs by its immersive nature and focus on understanding cultural phenomena through prolonged engagement.

What is narrative inquiry and how is it used in research?

Narrative inquiry is a research method that focuses on studying experiences as stories. It uses verbal and written narratives to understand subjective phenomena and is often transactional, reflecting exchanges of ideas.

What is action research and how does it differ from other research approaches?

Action research is a flexible, applied research methodology aimed at supporting change. It differs from other approaches by integrating social research with actions to promote development, focusing on practical solutions to problems.

What are the steps involved in action research?

The steps in action research include investigating the current situation, planning for change, introducing and trying out new practices, monitoring the effectiveness of interventions, and analyzing data to generate actionable knowledge.