There Are Three Kinds Of Subjective Research: Are Phenomenol

There Are Three Kinds Of Subjective Research Are Phenomenological Gro

Subjective research methods in qualitative inquiry encompass three primary types: phenomenological, grounded theory, and ethnographic research. Each approach offers unique perspectives and techniques for exploring human experiences, social phenomena, and cultural behaviors. Understanding their differences and applications is essential for researchers seeking to illuminate complex human conditions and social contexts.

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Qualitative research methodologies are instrumental in exploring human experiences, social interactions, and cultural practices. Among these, phenomenological, grounded theory, and ethnographic research stand out as predominant categories, each serving specific research purposes and utilizing distinct techniques.

Phenomenological research primarily aims to understand how individuals perceive, interpret, and experience particular phenomena. Rooted in phenomenology—an philosophical movement initiated by Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger—this approach seeks to explore the essence of lived experiences. Researchers employing phenomenology gather data through in-depth interviews and sometimes through personal narratives, with the goal of capturing the subjective perspective of participants who have directly encountered the phenomenon (Grove, Gray, & Burns, 2015). For instance, a study might investigate how cancer patients perceive and cope with chemotherapy, focusing on their personal experiences and emotional responses. Such research emphasizes the depth of personal insight, aiming to describe rather than explain phenomena, and often relies on rich, qualitative descriptions of individual accounts.

> Grounded theory, on the other hand, emphasizes the development of theory grounded in empirical data. It is a systematic approach to qualitative research that involves collecting and analyzing data simultaneously, with the intent of generating hypotheses or theories directly from the data itself (Polit & Beck, 2017). Grounded theory is particularly useful in exploring social processes and actions, especially in fields like nursing, where understanding how individuals respond and adapt to certain situations is critical. For example, in studying how healthcare workers use personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19, researchers may examine behaviors, attitudes, and contextual factors to develop a theory that explains the patterns of PPE use. This method involves coding data, developing categories, and refining these into substantive theories, which can then inform practice or policy.

> Ethnographic research differs distinctly from phenomenology and grounded theory by its focus on understanding cultures and social groups within their natural environments. It originates from anthropology and involves immersive methods such as participant observation, interviews, and cultural artifact analysis to comprehend the customs, beliefs, and practices of a community (Polit & Beck, 2017). Ethnographers aim to uncover the underlying cultural norms and social structures that influence behaviors. For example, examining Hispanic cultural practices related to health and healing, such as the use of curanderos, entails understanding the cultural significance and social functions of these practices within the community. Ethnography provides holistic insights into cultural life, revealing how collective behaviors and norms are sustained and transmitted.

Though sharing some common elements, such as reliance on interviews and qualitative data collection, these methods exhibit distinct theoretical bases and focal points. Phenomenology seeks to understand individual lived experiences and subjective perceptions, often emphasizing depth over breadth. Grounded theory aims to generate theories based on systematic data analysis, emphasizing social processes and actions. Ethnography strives to interpret cultural contexts and practices from an insider perspective, often involving prolonged fieldwork to understand the community holistically.

In summary, each qualitative approach offers valuable insights suited to different research questions. Phenomenology provides in-depth understanding of personal experiences; grounded theory develops theories explaining social actions; ethnography uncovers cultural meanings and behaviors. Researchers must carefully select the methodology aligned with their specific research aims to effectively investigate human phenomena.

References

• Grove, S., Gray, J., & Burns, N. (2015). Understanding Nursing Research (6th ed.). Saunders.
• Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (3rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
• Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Sage.
• Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory. Sage.
• Hammersley, M., & Atkinson, P. (2007). Ethnography: Principles in practice. Routledge.
• van Manen, M. (1990). Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive pedagogy. SUNY Press.
• Madison, D. S. (2012). Critical ethnography: Method, ethics, and performance. Sage.
• Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. Sage Publications.
• Spradley, J. P. (1979). The ethnographic interview. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
• Charmaz, K. (2006). Grounded theory. In J. H. Green & N. K. Caron (Eds.), The Sage encyclopedia of qualitative research methods (pp. 342-345). Sage.