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Ethnographic observations
Ethnographic study approach
Ethnographic observations
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The three types of qualitative research are phenomenological, grounded theory, and ethnographic research. What are the differences and similarities between two of the three types of studies?
Grounded theory research is an inductive method that occurred from the discipline of sociology. That is, the theory that established from the research that has its backgrounds in the data from which it was derived (Burns & Grove 2011). Grounded theory is established on symbolic collaboration theory that embraces various observations and views in common with phenomenology. It is a methodology of developing inductive theories that are grounded in systematically collected and analyzed data. Data collection, analysis, interpretation, and theory development
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The purpose of grounded theory research is to inductively advance a new theory of a research area based on systematically collected data. Grounded theory is an example of an inductive research approach. The process of structure grounded theory comprises of different phases, which include deciding on a research problem, framing the research question, data collection, data coding and analysis, and theory development. A grounded theory project typically does not begin with a theory from which hypotheses are deducted, but with a field of study or a research question, and what is relevant to this question is allowed to emerge during the research process. Ethnography research is the scientific study of human social phenomena and communities, through means such as fieldwork. It is considered a branch of cultural anthropology the branch of anthropology which focuses on the study of human societies. It is a research that was created and established by anthropologists as a method to study cultures through involvement in the culture for a …show more content…
While in case of grounded theory method theoretical sampling method is applied in order it helps in theory structure. When collecting data for in grounded theory, theorist collects data, codes and analyzes the data that facilitates the emergence of theory. But in ethnography, it is not aim to generate theories; rather concerned with describing cultural significance behind a specific idea by giving further emphasis to precise feature of culture and apply purpose sampling.
In grounded theory, before the data collection phase, the researchers do not consult the literature before conducting fieldwork in order to avoid getting influenced from the literatures, even they consult a lot of literature that are not directly related to the research topic. Whereas, ethnographers can consult the conceptual literature before conducting the study in which the problem to be studied is presented in order to get an idea of what is about the research and how researcher can proceed further.
Similarities between Grounded Theory and
In Essentials of Cultural Anthropology, the book defines ethnography as “a written account of how a single human population lives” (Bailey & Peoples, 2014, p. 8). It seems to be such a simple definition to the multiple levels needed to make a successful ethnography as shown by Douglas Raybeck in Mad Dogs, Englishmen, and the Errant Anthropologist. These multiple levels of ethnographic methods include problems that often arise, the assimilation into a culture, and the many different ways of perceiving culture. This method of study is particularly unique to the social sciences because of the extensive amount of assimilation one does in order to interpret a society's culture. There is the need for a year-long period--occasionally even longer--
Using two theoretical approaches to social research namely, Positivism and Standpoint theory, I have demonstrated implicit connections in their respective assumptions. The ontological, epistemological and methodical assumptions are all integral facets of the understanding of social research. Once these are understood one can then draw conclusions as to which type or types of methods are appropriate to use.
The theoretical framework in a research relates to the philosophical basis in which the research is executed. It also forms the link between the theoretical aspect of the research and the practical aspect of the investigation. Merten (1998) stated that it “has implications for every decision made in the research process” (p.3). Therefore, the starting point to any research proposal is to identify the methodologies (methods that can be used in the project and as well justify their choice (Crotty, 1998). The methodologies relate to “the strategy, plan of action, processes or design lying behind the choice and use of particular methods, and linking the choice and use of methods to the desired outcomes” (Crotty, 1998, p. 3).
Research can be quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is objective and involves measuring the phenomena under investigation. Qualitative research is subjective, explores experiences and feelings, and involves the recording of phenomena that cannot easily be quantified (Toates, 2010, pp. 5-6). Both are empirical since they involve data collection (OU, n.d.).
Ethnography is typically defined as research designed to explore cultural phenomenon that take place in another part of society or even the world. This requires a researcher to analyze similarities and differences between cultures through a perspective that is not judgmental, but more so open to new concepts that aren’t necessarily normal to their own culture. For my research, I decided to interview a friend of mine who is culturally different when compared to myself. Before beginning my interview I created a hypothesis, which I hoped to prove through my findings. Initially, I believed that most children, who are raised within a specific’s culture influence, tend to absorb the lifestyle and mindsets of their parents. Almost similar to the quote “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” By growing up within a specific culture’s influence, a child will grasp what they learned from their parents and apply it to their own lives.
James P. Spradley (1979) described the insider approach to understanding culture as "a quiet revolution" among the social sciences (p. iii). Cultural anthropologists, however, have long emphasized the importance of the ethnographic method, an approach to understanding a different culture through participation, observation, the use of key informants, and interviews. Cultural anthropologists have employed the ethnographic method in an attempt to surmount several formidable cultural questions: How can one understand another's culture? How can culture be qualitatively and quantitatively assessed? What aspects of a culture make it unique and which connect it to other cultures? If ethnographies can provide answers to these difficult questions, then Spradley has correctly identified this method as revolutionary.
In case study 9, Rose stone moved to an urban ghetto in order to study strategies for survival used by low- income residents. Here it is clearly shown that Stone is using the method of ethnographic research. This is a hands on method used by researchers in order to fully grasp and understand different situations. Ethnographies are difficult to conduct because customs aren’t the same for a whole culture and they’re always changing. Another problem with doing an ethnographic research is that the researcher can potentially manipulate what they are studying because they are simply human. Humans have emotions, and personal interests, and naturally can connect or relate to certain situations. This brings forth the whole notion of a detached observer.
The author could have employed other methods of qualitative research such as, narrative analysis, grounded theory, discourse analysis, data display and analysis, content analysis and quantifying qualitative data and computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAPDAS) (Saunders et al., 2016). Nevertheless, these approaches seem cumbersome sometimes and take a long time to complete (Willig, 1999; Braun and Clarke, 2006 and Smith and Bekker,
The research is guided by a theoretical framework called the Grounded Theory Approach. The Grounded Theory Approach (GT), first described by Glaser and Strauss in 1967, is an inductively formatted, general method of research that is aimed towards theory development through the data collection process and constant comparative analysis of that data. Cohen and Crabtree, 2006). The concept relies contingently upon the data the study presents and is characterized by the proposed theory being perfectly depicted by the data accumulated. Cohen and Crabtree, 2006).
Grounded Theory (GT) and Content Analysis (CA) are widely known methodologies applied within multiple scientific communities, sharing a close background with social sciences. Each of these approaches has been developed and tested throughout distinct historical pathways, both shaped by different aims, results and theoretical constructions. Whereas GT belongs to what could be described as “inductive science”, CA is tagged under the motto of “deductive sciences”, assuming essentially different epistemological positions (Bernard & Ryan, 2009). They are also contrasted by their qualitative and quantitative data insights. Content Analysis is generally described as a process where data are “quantified”, in which key words and phrases are commonly interpreted into statistical terms, associated as a quantitative focus (Weber, 1990). Grounded Theory on the other side, remains as a predominantly qualitative analysis throughout the overall process. But the reason why I put these differences side by side is to ask simple yet complex questions: Are these distinctions enough to be talking about strictly different approaches? And do these differences mean that both methodologies are essentially incompatible and aim to separate prospects?
A good formal theory ought to be at least the equivalent ought of a ton of ethnographies and perhaps half a gross of substantive theories (Strauss 1987, p.248). A substantive grounded theory is a tailor-made theory while a formal grounded theory is a ready-made theory (Kearney 1998). Substantive theory may limit its application to other contexts if a constant comparative method of modifying a theory is neglected. Nevertheless, it may have important general implications and relevance to other areas. It is for this imperative that, the emergent substantive grounded theory generated from data, is moved to a formal theory. Formal theory allows more generalization, and transferability of research results, which may be adapted to other different scenarios.
What Is Integrative Studies one may ask? There are so many definitions for integrative studies. Dr. Tanner define as “Integrative learning is a method by which one can synthesize or bring together multiple contexts as a way to apply interdisciplinarity to complex problems or situations.( p 24)” But here is how I define integrative studies, it is an umbrella term for structures, strategies, and activities that bridge numerous divides, such as high school and college, general education and the major, introductory and advanced levels, experiences inside and outside the classroom, theory and practice, and disciplines and fields. Integrative studies “foster a way of learning that mimics real life.( Edutopia).” Integrative studies help blend all the knowledge we learned together to solve a complex problem. It also helps increase understanding, retention, and application of the general concept, promotion of cooperative learning and a better attitude toward oneself as a learner and as a meaningful member of a community. In all integrative
Stejskal, S.M. (2010) Quatiative and Qualitative Research Methods are not and should not be Mutually Exclusive, Grinn Verlag.
Glaser, B.G., Strauss, A.L. (1967), The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research, Chicago: Aldine.
Creswell (2009), states that there are three types of designs, qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Smith and Davis (2010) states that qualitative research is a field of enquiry that is conducted in a natural setting by a researcher, who may be involved in, or may be part of the data collection process; as it utilizes the views of informants as the basis for the report. Qualitative research attempts to gain and in-depth, holistic picture of the phenomenon one wishes to study by interacting closely with the people being studied; the data collected are usually in the form of words or pictures.