Role of Theory: Qualitative Research
Not what you're looking for?
•Craft a 5- to 7-page paper in which you do the following:
◦Compare and contrast the role of theory in the five main qualitative approaches (Narrative, Phenomenology, Grounded theory, Ethnographic and Case study research).
◦State what you believe, at this time, will be the role of theory in your qualitative research plan and explain any considerations that you must keep in mind regarding theory
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary
This solution explains role of theory in five main qualitative approaches. The role of theory is compared and contrasted. The sources used are also included in the solution.
Solution Preview
In accordance with BrainMass standards this is not a hand in ready paper but only background help.
Step 1
A theory is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something. The theory is based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. It is a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based. The theory justifies a course of research. The theory is an explanatory framework. In qualitative research theory is used to support methodologies used in research and the epistemologies underlying them. In qualitative research theories direct the conduct of researchers. In qualitative research there is a link between the theory, the specific set of questions that drive research and the methodology used by the researcher.
In narrative research the role of theory is to guide the researcher in developing the research problem or question. In qualitative research only if detailed stories or life experiences of a single life or the lives of a small number of individual is appropriate for the research problem is the method selected. Theories guide the researcher through the selection process of individuals from whom information is gathered. The next role of theories is during the restorying process during which the stories are reorganized into a general type of framework. Theories help the researcher during the restorying phase to identify causal link among ideas. Most important during the qualitative data analysis of a narrative, theories help identify the themes that emerge from the narrative, and help deconstruct stories.
Step 2
In phenomenology the lived experience of several individuals on a particular concept is studied. The basic assumptions and principles of phenomenology are from theory. This is observed in case of Husserf's phenomenology. In Transcendental phenomenology, theory is invisibly linked with methodology. In phenomenology theory is essential because of the methodology. The phenomenologists insist that there should not be any preconceived ...
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Organizational Leadership Quiz
This quiz prepares a person to do well when it comes to studying organizational leadership in their studies.
Team Development Strategies
This quiz will assess your knowledge of team-building processes, learning styles, and leadership methods. Team development is essential to creating and maintaining high performing teams.
IPOs
This Quiz is compiled of questions that pertain to IPOs (Initial Public Offerings)
Situational Leadership
This quiz will help you better understand Situational Leadership and its theories.
Organizational Behavior (OB)
The organizational behavior (OB) quiz will help you better understand organizational behavior through the lens of managers including workforce diversity.