The Various Paradigms of the Methodological Principles - Essay Example

INTRODUCTION This paper is an investigation precursor to a qualitative research wherein the various paradigms of the methodological principles have been illustrated using a specific context. The main context or topic chosen for this paper is: Management of Chronic Condition, under which the paper seeks to analyse and evaluate from the methodological perspective the various nuances under ‘Chronic Lung diseases in smoking addicts’. Here, the chronic condition has been identified as chronic lung diseases, the client group are the smoking addicts and the context being a study of those interpretive experiences as well as a critical dissection of the above mentioned group of people. Smoking initiates several chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis (infection of the lungs) and emphysema (irreversible damage to the lungs), cancer, heart disease and stroke. Almost up to half of all frequent smokers die from their habit. The longer is the duration of smoking, the greater is the risk of lung diseases (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). The three Qualitative research paradigms refereed to in this paper are Interpretive Phenomenology paradigm, Interpretive Ethnography paradigm and Critical Action Research paradigm. The three major issues identified and to be discussed in this paper using the above mentioned paradigms are ‘The experience of suffering from a chronic lung disease resulting from a regular smoking habit’; ‘The social and cultural implications which lead to the development of smoking habits as well as the awareness and acceptance of the same within the society after the manifestation of its after-effects in the form of lung diseases’; and ‘The critical analysis of the marginalised groups such as young adults who due to various reasons of non-awareness or otherwise (passive smoking) tend to suffer from the smoking related chronic condition development’. INTERPRETIVE PARADIGM: PHENOMENOLOGY The problem statement to be discussed here is ‘The experience of suffering from a chronic lung disease resulting from a regular smoking habit’. A patient under a Chronic pulmonary or lung disease aims to palliate symptoms and hold back or delay deterioration (Seamark et. Al.,2004). Irrespective of treatment, patients experience relentless loss in this chronic condition. Although several people with such diseases can successfully attain unhindered functioning and do not feel restricted by their disease, the general after traits of those affected by it are acknowledgement, stoicism and resolution. Qualitative studies have found that individuals try to hold on to quality of life through strategies that compensate for the limitations imposed on them by their illness (Osman & Hyland, 2005). It is most appropriate to discuss Phenomenological paradigms under this context as it seeks to uncover the experience of this chronic condition. Phenomenology can suitably prevent or restrict the biases of the researcher due to its exploratory research design (Groenewald, 2004). Basically, individuals can be definite regarding those things which appear in, or are present inside, their consciousness. To achieve this certainty, anything beyond direct experience has be ignored, and thus, the external world is reduced to a matter of personal consciousness. Realities are therefore considered to be pure ‘phenomena’ and the only definite data so as to begin with. Phenomenology is thereby known as the science of pure ‘phenomena’. In analysing the stated problem statement context wherein we evaluate the experience of those suffering from chronic lung diseases due to their smoking habits, falls perfectly under the stated purview of Phenomenological research. The aim of phenomenology is the return to the concrete and real experience (Eagleton, 2005). The most important feature of phenomenological research is ‘to describe’. Therefore, the major end result of this would be an accurate description of the phenomenon of chronic lung disease obtained from those affected by it and free from any pre-given framework. This ensures a first hand experience collation in exact detail as undergone by the subject himself and not on the theoretical basis of the assumption of the researcher. This ensures an optimum degree of intensity of the effect of the phenomena reported and eliminates overplaying or under stating the occurrence of a condition such as this. In other words, phenomenology is concerned with the actually lived experiences of the participants in the research. A wide ranging continuum of knowledge and perspectives can be gathered through this phenomenological research pattern in the context of the day to day experiences and events for a smoking addict who suffers from chronic condition of lung diseases. The knowledge base generated would consist of an elaboration on several aspects related to the symptoms, diagnosis and realisation of the disease manifestation, actual effect of the disease on daily activities, and the strategies adopted by the patients (such as self care styles, independence, social functioning, use of inhaling devices and other drugs etc.) to deal with the chronic condition. Although quite pertinent to exploration of lived experiences, phenomenological research pattern also has certain limitations. It is a highly subjective study and a lot of accuracy in data collection as well as analysis depends on the discipline and rigour of the researcher. Therefore, only a phenomenologist particularly well versed with the nuances of phenomenology can be trusted to carry out this qualitative research and generate dependable results. INTERPRETIVE PARADIGM: ETHNOGRAPHY The problem statement to be discussed here is ‘The social and cultural implications which lead to the development of smoking habits as well as the awareness and acceptance of the same within the society after the manifestation of its after-effects in the form of lung diseases’. The cultural values and beliefs underlying every socio-cultural framework tends to influence smoking related behaviour. For example, Males are usually more prone to the development of smoking habit than women in high power distant eastern cultures because the prevailing culture inherently restricts women to adopt such practices in open s against no such taboo for males. Therefore, males are more prone to the peer pressure for smoking as against their female counterparts (Ganeshasundaram & Henley, 2008). Ethnographic research aims to examine the culture and other socio-cultural meanings associated with a proposition. In this case, it is interesting to realise that there is a plethora of learning and observations to be made from the study of the cultural protection that ethnicity seems to accord to its affiliated members in some groups. For instance, in Sri Lanka tobacco intake is nearly negligent in women and young adults. However, men (30 years and above) are at a major risk of becoming smokers (Ganeshasundaram & Henley, 2008). The Issues pertaining to culture as an influence on smoking habits, ways through which the understanding of smoking behaviour can add to our knowledge as a phenomenon affected by both physical locations binding the subjective experience and the role that cultural plays in instigating individuals to experiment with smoking such as experimentation with self-image and identity can be explored through ethnographic studies of smoking (Pavis et al, 1998). Ethnographic research can skilfully address various contextual frameworks related to the issue of cultural influence on smoking behaviour as it can explain: The role that cultural establishments, beliefs, and ideologies play while preventing smoking in the general populace, as well as particular patterns of smoking among males and females, as well as gender and age sensitivity considerations. . This ethnographic evaluation would serve as an accompaniment to the analysis by researchers examining intra-ethnic group variations through the assessment of social group, education and racial segmentation. The knowledge base obtained through this study would consist of certain critical aspects of cultural influence such as Media which is an important social influence and Peer stimulus. Media has since long been identified as a dominant influencer of cognitive ideas and expectations in the youth; as also, the peer pressure of accommodating oneself and getting accepted in their peer group leads to development of smoking habits. However, ethnographic research as is evident from its very nature, places too much attention on the social and cultural factors as a contributor towards a chronic condition as is the chronic lung diseases in this particular paper. This thereby inherently neglects the very individual inclinations and independently personal liking towards smoking which is quite natural. CRITICAL PARADIGM: ACTION RESEARCH The problem statement to be discussed here is ‘The critical analysis of the marginalised groups such as young adults who due to various reasons of non-awareness or otherwise (passive smoking) tend to suffer from the smoking related chronic condition development’. This is in a way very similar to the previous discussion as the issue of cultural and ethnicity influence indirectly impacts the marginalised group of young adolescents. However, this portion of the discussion would be different in its treatment and focus on the effected groups rather than its derivative source: Culture. Provide introduction to topic Participatory action research model is appropriate to be carried out in this problem statement exploration case since it requires an active participation from the target groups and aim at a certain level of change to be brought into effect to the extent possible (Freshwater, 2005). There is a need to empower the marginalised adolescents so as to appraise them on the sensitivity of the issue of smoking and it’s after effects as an addiction life-long. This process needs to critically evaluate the assumptions behind knowledge that is assumed to be very obvious with an aim to unravel the strength, inequality, injustice, and repression, which encourages these social phenomena and practices. The young adults succumb to social and peer pressure because they are not aware of the consequences of being a part to the smoking club. Thereby, a need arises to conduct an action based research including a range of quantitative techniques such as survey collection and collation which would lead to identification and generation of participative data. Henceforth, change can be brought about with the evidential proof of the responses obtained from the respondents. Critical paradigm is centred on the grounds that since everybody is socially based, knowledge is mostly affected by a researcher’s norms, beliefs, and inclinations. The critical theory is based on a practical viewpoint inside which knowledge is held to be majorly tacit, and therefore is expressed in our actions (Paterson et al, 2007). The aim to analyse this problem statement can mainly be fulfilled by the action research critical methodology due to its features like (Paterson et al, 2007): It acquires knowledge through critical debate and not random discovery It needs reflection on our real life action rather than theorising what one ought to do It enables the possibility to question the limitations or restrictions and compulsions of habit It emphasises personal or individual development instead of generalising the entire society by promoting understanding and transformation of constraining structures and situations Within a critical theory, because knowledge is comprehended to be simultaneous in concept through interface and discourses instead of obtaining the same through objective observations. of cause and effect in a simulated atmosphere, it is perceived that through reflection on useful action, a cognition is achieved of how values, norms, and interests affect knowledge constitution. It focuses on reuniting opposite viewpoints and provide a co-ordinated and interrelated response to the requirements of the young adults (D'Amour & Oandasan, 2005). Street (2003) enumerates certain attributes of action research developed particularly for the help of health care professionals so as to analyse problem statements such as the one discussed here. These attributes make this methodology even more apt to be applied to analyse this research statement. These attributes are: 1. Problem and Solution based: It is concerned particularly with the pragmatic health related subjects of concern to various people and provides practical, contextual and specific understanding and tools to manage chronic disease conditions such as chronic lung disease due to smoking and to provide its care. 2. Circumlocutory: It is framed as continuous and non ending open cycles or a spirally designed structure which enables careful monitoring, analysis and evaluation of action and which determined the success of the arrangement and the avenue for its modification during the next cycle of planning, implementation, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and review. 3. Knowledge in real: Action researchers start with day to day experiences and contemplate ways to act in intellectual and informed ways in a socially constructed world. This approach seeks to reduce the gap between theory and practice through the cyclic procedure f enquiry, action, monitoring, and theorising. New information is tested for real and in a particular framework after which it is used as a tool so as to make modifications for further action and modifying the existing theory. 4. Pro-active and involving: Action research involves all the respondents who are considered to be influenced by the new knowledge or changes. Instead of keeping the respondents as mere objects of observation, they are involved as co-researchers. They are seen as possessor of essential knowledge which is a critical contribution to the course of the research. As co-researchers, respondents are involved in planning, investigation, implementation, and accountability of the ownership of the outcomes. 5. Informative, developmental and receptive: Respondents learn through real action and as hence through the outcome or result, action research develops their skills gradually and communities are institutionalised. This methodology is informative because in order for the sustenance of the result, others have to be educated and the knowledge is passed on. 6. Authentic, sustainable and dynamic: Unlike quantitative research, critical action research does not generalise and predict the answers or outcomes to specific health problems. It does not provide standardised results. Action research is considered authentic and valid if problems are solved and the respondents which are the young adults in this case enhance the control over their own lives (Greenwood & Levin, 2005). Action researchers try to ensure that their achievements can be sustained over time. Although context specific, action research ensures that the respondents develop and challenge the conceptualised models and theories which can be transmitted to other contexts with similar issues. Action research is capable of developing a new understanding of shared culture. However, what still limits its full fledged application is a still prevailing dominant acceptance of traditional research paradigms which complicates the introduction of additional possibilities. Read More