Foundations Of Qualitative Research Worksheet

Foundations of Qualitative Research Worksheet

Complete the Foundations of Qualitative Research Worksheet. Exercise 1 involves examining how philosophical assumptions differ and are exemplified (implicitly or explicitly) based on the interpretive framework selected. Read four articles, each adopting a different interpretive lens: Queer Theory, Social Constructivism, Postpositivism, and Transformative. Complete a table by providing explanations and examples demonstrating how the philosophical assumptions are represented in these articles, covering ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological assumptions. Then, discuss how these assumptions differ and why understanding the connection between philosophy and interpretive frameworks is important.

Exercise 2 involves exploring the link between research purpose and questions. Identify a potential qualitative research topic related to staff wellbeing and health in healthcare group homes. Write research questions for exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory studies, and justify their alignment with the research purpose, including relevant statistical details for sample analysis.

Paper For Above instruction

The foundations of qualitative research are deeply rooted in philosophical assumptions that shape how researchers approach phenomena, interpret data, and derive meaning. Understanding these assumptions—ontological, epistemological, axiological, and methodological—is critical because they fundamentally influence the design, execution, and interpretation of qualitative studies. This paper explores these philosophical assumptions by analyzing four landmark articles, each exemplifying a different interpretive framework: Queer Theory, Social Constructivism, Postpositivism, and Transformative. Additionally, it discusses the importance of aligning research questions with research purposes, illustrated through a hypothetical study on staff wellbeing in healthcare group homes.

Analysis of Philosophical Assumptions in Selected Articles

The first article, Adams et al. (2014), employs Queer Theory, emphasizing social constructivism. Ontologically, it views identity as fluid and socially constructed, rejecting fixed categories. Epistemologically, knowledge arises from social interactions, discourses, and power relations, emphasizing participants' lived experiences. Axiologically, the researcher adopts a critical stance, aiming to challenge normative assumptions about sexuality and identity. Methodologically, qualitative narrative analysis or discourse analysis is used to explore how identities are negotiated and talked about within societal contexts. The interpretive lens of Queer Theory seeks to deconstruct traditional binaries and emphasize the fluidity of identity (Adams et al., 2014).

Brown et al. (2006), following a Social Constructivist framework aligned with Postpositivism, focus on understanding the lived experience of individuals waiting for a liver transplant. Ontologically, the study assumes reality is subjective and shaped by individual perceptions. Epistemologically, knowledge is constructed through interaction between researcher and participant, acknowledging that researchers interpret participants' experiences through their lenses. Axiologically, the researchers recognize their potential biases and strive for reflexivity. Methodologically, data collection involves interviews analyzed through thematic analysis, emphasizing participants' subjective realities (Brown et al., 2006).

Churchill et al. (2007) adopt a Postpositivist stance, focusing on understanding rural low-income families' recreational activities. The ontological assumption here suggests an external reality that can be measured; although, this reality is complex and difficult to fully apprehend. Epistemologically, the study values objectivity and strives to minimize researcher bias through systematic data collection and analysis. Axiologically, the researcher maintains neutrality, seeking to uncover factual information. Methodologically, structured observations or surveys might be used, with analysis emphasizing reliability and validity of findings (Churchill et al., 2007).

Job et al. (2013) employ a Transformative framework, emphasizing social justice and advocacy in exploring collaboration among educators serving children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. Ontologically, reality is viewed as shaped by social structures and systemic inequalities. Epistemologically, knowledge is co-constructed with participants, aiming to empower marginalized groups. Axiologically, the researcher is committed to social change, actively engaging in advocacy. Methodologically, participatory action research or narrative approaches are used to amplify participant voices and foster social transformation (Job et al., 2013).

Differences in Philosophical Assumptions and Their Importance

These four articles illustrate how philosophical assumptions guide research perspectives. Queer Theory challenges normative discourses about identity, focusing on fluidity and social construction. Social Constructivism, as seen in Brown et al., emphasizes subjective realities shaped through social interaction. Postpositivism strives for objectivity, seeking measurable truths, while Transformative frameworks emphasize social justice, activism, and empowerment. Recognizing these differences is essential for researchers because it influences every aspect of research design—from data collection to analysis—and aligns the study with specific worldview commitments.

Understanding the connection between philosophy and interpretive frameworks ensures coherence, validity, and authenticity in qualitative research. It helps researchers select appropriate methods, interpret findings contextualized within their worldview, and clearly articulate their positionality. Moreover, it fosters reflexivity, prompting researchers to examine their biases and assumptions critically. This alignment ultimately enhances the credibility and ethical integrity of qualitative studies (Guba & Lincoln, 1998; Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Linking Research Purpose with Questions: A Hypothetical Study on Staff Wellbeing in Healthcare

A suitable research purpose for exploring staff wellbeing in healthcare group homes might be: "To explore how staff perceptions influence their wellbeing and health, and the implications for resident care." Related research questions for different study types include:

• Exploratory: How do staff perceive their wellbeing and health in healthcare group homes? Justification: This question aims to uncover perceptions and experiences without preconceived notions, aligning with exploratory aims to understand the phenomenon broadly.
• Descriptive: What are the common factors that staff members identify as affecting their health and wellbeing? Justification: This question seeks to describe key features and commonalities in staff perceptions, supporting a detailed understanding of the phenomenon.
• Explanatory: How do variations in staff perceptions of their wellbeing influence the quality of resident care? Justification: This question investigates causal relationships, supporting explanations about how staff health impacts care outcomes.

These questions are consistent with the overarching purpose by progressively exploring, describing, and explaining the phenomena related to staff wellbeing, thereby providing a comprehensive understanding that can inform policy and practice improvements.

Conclusion

Philosophical assumptions fundamentally shape qualitative research by influencing how phenomena are understood, studied, and interpreted. Recognizing the differences among frameworks like Queer Theory, Social Constructivism, Postpositivism, and Transformative is essential for aligning research design with epistemological, ontological, axiological, and methodological considerations. Moreover, designing research questions aligned with core purposes ensures that studies are meaningful, coherent, and capable of generating actionable insights. A clear understanding of these philosophical and practical links ultimately enhances the rigor, relevance, and ethical foundation of qualitative inquiry.

References

• Adams, M., et al. (2014). “Aren’t labels for pickle jars, not people? Negotiating identity and community in talk about ‘being gay.’” Social Constructivist.
• Brown, R., et al. (2006). Waiting for a liver transplant. Postpositivist.
• Churchill, R., et al. (2007). How rural low-income families have fun: A grounded theory study. Transformative.
• Job, R., et al. (2013). Toward better collaboration in the education of students with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Voices of teachers, administrators, caregivers, and allied professionals. Transformative.
• Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1998). Paradigmatic controversies, contradictions, and emerging confluences. In Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (Eds.), The landscape of qualitative research. Sage.
• Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage.
• Schwandt, T. A. (2014). The Sage dictionary of qualitative inquiry. Sage.
• Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage.
• Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage.
• Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. Sage.