Evaluating Research Questions And Qualitative Research Desig

Evaluating Research Questions And Qualitative Research Designs

Evaluate the research questions using the Research Questions and Hypotheses Checklist as a guide. Identify the type of qualitative research approach used and explain how the researchers implemented the design. Analyze the alignment among the theoretical or conceptual framework, problem, purpose, research questions, and design.

Paper For Above instruction

The study by Liu, McMahon, and Watson (2015) investigates the influence of parental involvement on child career development within the context of mainland China. To critically evaluate this research, it is essential first to examine the clarity, specificity, and appropriateness of the research questions, guided by the Research Questions and Hypotheses Checklist. The primary research question appears to be: How do parents influence their children's career development in mainland China? This question effectively addresses the overarching goal of understanding parental impact within this cultural context. However, for a qualitative study, it is beneficial for research questions to be open-ended and exploratory, which Liu et al. achieve by asking about the nature and processes of parental influence rather than quantifying or testing hypotheses. This aligns well with qualitative research standards that prioritize understanding complex phenomena through rich, descriptive data.

Regarding the qualitative research approach employed, Liu et al. utilized a phenomenological design. Phenomenology aims to explore lived experiences and the essence of phenomena, making it appropriate for investigating parental influences on children’s career development—a nuanced and culturally embedded subject. The researchers implemented this design by conducting in-depth interviews with parents and possibly children, allowing participants to share their experiences and perceptions in their own words. They captured detailed narratives to understand how cultural values, beliefs, and practices shape parental behaviors and attitudes related to career guidance. Data analysis involved thematic coding, a common method in phenomenological studies, to identify patterns and themes that illustrate the core elements of parent-child career development interactions. The implementation aligns with qualitative best practices in capturing rich, subjective data to understand complex social phenomena.

Examining the alignment among the theoretical/framework, problem, purpose, research questions, and design reveals a coherent structure in the study. The authors primarily reference Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which emphasizes the influence of various environmental contexts—including family—on individual development. This theoretical framework effectively supports the problem statement, which centers on understanding parental influence within a specific cultural setting. The purpose of the study was to explore how cultural and social factors shape parental behaviors toward career development, which is consistent with phenomenology's focus on understanding lived experiences. The research questions are aligned with this purpose, seeking to uncover the ways in which parents influence their children's career choices and development, consistent with a phenomenological approach aiming to understand subjective experiences. The research design—a phenomenological qualitative method—facilitates an in-depth exploration aligned with the theoretical framework and research questions, generating detailed insights into parental influence within the cultural context of China.

In conclusion, Liu et al.’s study exemplifies a well-aligned qualitative research effort, with clear, open-ended research questions appropriate for phenomenological inquiry and a design that effectively captures the lived experiences of participants. The integration of a relevant theoretical framework further strengthens the study’s coherence and validity. Such alignment ensures that the generation of rich, insightful data addresses the complex, culturally embedded phenomenon of parental influence on child career development, fulfilling qualitative research principles and contributing valuable knowledge to the field of career development and cross-cultural studies.

References

• Liu, J., McMahon, M., & Watson, M. (2015). Parental influence on child career development in mainland China: A qualitative study. The Career Development Quarterly, 63(1), 74–87. https://doi.org/10.1002/j..2015.00096.x
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