Ethnography as the Research Methodology - Literature review Example

Analysis of Ethnographic Research Article Reference in APA format: Reviewer: Date: Introduction Mackenzie’s (1992) article is about an ethnographic study that was conducted to examine the experiences of nurse students in regard to their learning environment. Below, the article is analyzed on the basis of the CASP Rubric. CASP Question Exemplary Performance: 1. Relevance of the Research Goal: Mackenzie (1992) makes a clear statement of the research goal by noting that “The aim of the research is to gain an understanding of the learning experiences of district nurses from the perspective of the students” (p. 683). The importance of the research as well as its relevance is also described in the introductory paragraphs of the article. For instance, it is noted that many studies about nurse education have done little to look at how students learn with respect to “adult learning theory” (Mackenzie, 1992, p. 683). The study by Mackenzie (1992) was therefore meant to fill this gap. Supporting sources for the background information are provided. Section Score ____5____ 2. Appropriateness of Research Methodology: Mackenzie (1992) adopted ethnography as the research methodology, and an explanation has been provided as to why this methodology was used. In particular, it is noted that ethnographers concern themselves with meaning and gaining an understanding and appreciating that “individuals interpret situations and act in accordance with their interpretation and understanding of each situation” (Mackenzie, 1992, p. 684). On account of this, the author came up with research questions based on a personal experience in teaching and nursing practice. These questions are attuned with the research methodology and are supported by citations. Section Score ____5____ 3. Research Design: Mackenzie (1992) has explained that the use of an ethnographic research approach means that the research design to be used “cannot be totally predetermined” (p. 684). However, it is further explained that despite there being no need for a predetermined research design, some planning is necessary. It is for this reason that the author formulated research questions based on personal experience in nursing practice and in teaching. This is well supported by other sources. Section Score ____5____ 4. Participants: The participants in the study are described as students who had been placed in a placement program. There is no clear description of the sampling strategy used, but a reader can tell from the information provided that purposive sampling was used. No further details about the participants are provided, save for the experience that they had. Even then, the participants’ identities are protected since no names are mentioned in the article. Section Score ____3____ 5. Collection of Data: Mackenzie (1992) has clearly described how data were collected through “informal or unstructured interviews and observations” (p. 685). Although it is not explicitly stated who collected the data, it is indicated that the use of both interviews and observations was meant to “validate the author’s interpretation of the meaning of the behavior she had observed” (Mackenzie, 1992, p. 685). This indicates that the author of the article was involved in the collection and processing of data. It also shows the relevance of the data collection methods to the issue being investigated. Section Score ____4____ 6. Self-Disclosure: There is no disclosure of the relationship between the researcher and the participants. As well, there is no information about how any bias that could arise from the methodological choices that were made could be handled. Section Score ____1____ 7. Ethical Considerations: Mackenzie (1992) did not discuss whether ethical issues were taken into consideration, nor is there information about whether details of the research were explained to the participants. As well, there is no information about informed consent or confidentiality. The article also lacks an explanation about whether the researcher sought and secured approval from an ethics committee. Section Score ____1____ 8. Data Analysis: Mackenzie (1992) does not provide an in-depth account of how data were analyzed and by whom. For instance, there is no mention of whether the data were coded. The only thing that is mentioned is the outcome of the data analysis process – for instance three categories emerged from the analysis of transcripts of the interviews that were conducted. Other than this, there is nothing to show that the data analysis process was rigorous. Section Score ____2____ 9. Findings: Although there is no specific section titled “findings” or “results”, Mackenzie (1992) has discussed what was found under three main themes: “fitting in”, “trying and testing out”, and “reality of practice” (pp. 685-688). The discussion centers on students’ different perceptions of their learning environment, which is in accordance with the research questions that were formulated as well as the aim of the research. Supporting references are used to support or critique different points of view. Section Score ____4____ 10. Implications of the Study: Mackenzie (1992) shows the value of the research by noting that based on the study, nursing students face some barriers with regard to their learning process, and that these barriers limit the students’ opportunities to reflect. Based on the issues addressed in the research, Mackenzie (1992) also highlighted areas in which the findings would make a contribution to existing knowledge. Mackenzie (1992) suggested that action research involving both students and teachers would be necessary for collection of further information. However, no limitations of the research are mentioned; and it is not indicated whether the findings can be transferred to other populations. Section Score ___4____ 11. Overall Rating Analysis of Case Study Research Article Reviewer: Date: Introduction The research article by Vonderwell (2003) gives an account of a qualitative case study that was conducted to investigate the asynchronous communication experiences and perspectives of undergraduate learners in a course that was offered online. The following is an analysis of the article using the CASP Rubric. CASP Question Exemplary Performance: 1. Relevance of the Research Goal: There is a clear research goal since Vonderwell (2003) indicates that the aim of the research was “to examine the asynchronous communication experiences and perspectives of undergraduate pre-service teachers in an online course” (p. 78). The study is informed by the need to examine the “communication experiences and perspectives of online students”, which the author notes “can help instructors design effective communication practices using asynchronous communication tools” (p. 78). The importance of the study is based on information from supporting sources regarding the subject of study. Section Score ____5____ 2. Appropriateness of Research Methodology: The methodology used by Vonderwell (2003) is a “qualitative case study approach” (p. 79). Vonderwell (2003) goes further to indicate why the methodology chosen is important by noting that “the case study results in a rich and holistic account of a phenomenon anchored in real-life situations and offers insight and expands the readers’ experiences” during their knowledge construction (p. 79). Although the author does not explicitly show the linkage between the methodology and the research question, there is evidence of how the information that would be collected fits with the research question. This is supported by citations. Section Score ____4____ 3. Research Design: There is no clear explanation regarding the research design that was used apart from the mere mention that a “qualitative case study approach” was the methodological framework of the study (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 79). Although there is no clear explanation about the appropriateness of the research design to the aims of the research, a reader can tell from the explanation about qualitative case studies why the case study approach was used. Section Score ____2____ 4. Participants: Although no specific sampling strategy is mentioned, a reader can tell that purposive sampling was used since twenty-two students who were the participants were taking an online course. However, there is no explanation as to why this particular group was chosen or how the sampling strategy was identified. The participants’ identities are somehow hidden since the university in which the study was conducted is only identified as “a large Midwestern university” (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 79). The students’ names are later revealed, but there is no indication of whether these are real names or pseudonyms. Section Score ____4____ 5. Collection of Data: Vonderwell (2003) clearly describes how data was collected using “interviews, student and instructor email transcripts, discussion board transcripts, and two independent peer reviewers’ reviews” (p. 81). It is also explained that the use of many data collection sources enabled the researcher to confirm and cross-check the findings. There is a detailed explanation regarding why the respective data collection and processing methods were used, supported by references. Section Score ____5____ 6. Self-Disclosure: Vonderwell (2003) clearly discloses the relationship between the researcher and the participants by noting that the instructor of the online course that was the setting of the study was the researcher in the study. To reduce bias in the results, the researcher used various data collection methods including the involvement of independent interviewers to “interview students to prevent bias and ensure credibility” (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 81). In addition, the independent interviewers were advised not to “limit their questions to the researcher’s questions” (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 81), which helped in reducing bias. Section Score ____5____ 7. Ethical Considerations: There is some indication that ethical considerations were taken into account regarding the handling of participants. This is because the participants “were told that the interviews would not affect their grades in any way nor the instructor’s attitude towards them” (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 81). This means that the students were aware about what the research entailed. Also, the participants’ university is only identified as “a large Midwestern university” (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 79). However, it is not indicated whether the researcher sought ethics approval from the relevant ethics committee. As well, the names of the participants are revealed in the findings section, even though it is not clear whether these are the students’ actual names or pseudonyms. Section Score ____3____ 8. Data Analysis: Vonderwell (2003) explains that the data were analyzed by use of thematic analysis. Further information on how coding of the data was done is also provided. Further, there is an explanation regarding how data collected from different sources (e.g. interview questions, peer reviewers’ discussion boards and transcripts from discussion boards) were triangulated to ensure an in-depth understanding of the issue that was being investigated. Section Score ____5____ 9. Findings: The findings of the study are explicitly stated under the themes of “Anonymity and transactional distance”, “Connecting with the instructor and peers”, ‘Immediate and consistent feedback”, and “Dynamics of communicating in the asynchronous discussion forum and learning” (Vonderwell, 2003, pp. 82-86). A detailed explanation of the findings is provided. There is evidence of findings that are in support of computer-mediated communication among students and other findings that depict the use of online environments as problematic. The findings are well-linked to the research questions. Section Score ____5____ 10. Implications of the Study: The value of the research is well-stated in the statement that the results are “important for instructors to rethink their practices in terms of communicating with their students and providing effective instructional strategies for improved communication and collaboration among students” (Vonderwell, 2003, p. 88). This highlights the contribution that the research makes to existing knowledge about communication and interactions among students in online environments. However, no limitations of the research are explained; and neither is an explanation provided on whether the results can be generalized to other populations. Also, Vonderwell (2003) does not highlight other ways in which the study may be applied. Section Score ___3____ 11. Overall Rating Read More