Qualitative Research Methods for Social Scientists

This study material explores qualitative research methods for social scientists. It focuses on the challenges faced by family members of male relatives in prison and discusses the ethical considerations in conducting research. The report includes an analysis of interview transcripts and thematic analysis.

Qualitative Research
Methods for Social
Scientists

Contents
INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................3
Method of analysis.....................................................................................................................................4
Findings......................................................................................................................................................5
Discussion...................................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
A qualitative research can be defined as a type of research that focuses on gathering data
through open-ended as well as conversational communication. The research involves the
collection of non-numerical data which is not presented in the form of tables or graphs
(Danermark, Ekström and Karlsson, 2019). The respective research focuses on epistemological
issues and that will help in understanding the readers about the same. There is an analysis of the
interview transcript with 3 respondents and focuses on the experience of the people who have a
male relative in prison. Not only this, the report also includes a thematic analysis that will help in
understanding the issues related with epistemology. There is also information regarding the
ethics that should be followed while undertaking the research.
Epistemology and ethics
Epistemology can be referred to as the theory as well as knowledge regarding various
methods and includes validity, scope and differentiation between belief as well as opinion. This
part of the report is focused on the issue that has been mentioned in the transcript. It is based on
the experiences as well as effects on the people who have a male relative in the prison. These
people have to face various challenges as well as issues that can either socially, physically or
mentally affect them. thus, this report will help the readers in developing an understanding about
the issues that are faced by the people who have a male relative in the prison. The people can
sometimes face mental trauma that can affect their day-to-day lives to a great extent. Not only
this, they also have to face hatred as well as discrimination from the society because the person is
in the prison. There can be mental pressure and it can be very hard for them to cope up with the
situation and live a normal life (Denzin, 2017). This is because it is very hard for the people to
see their relatives in the prison and deal with a tough time. It is difficult for the people to see
their male relative in the prison as they are the ones on whom the whole family depends on the
male members. and if any male relative gets into the prison, it can become extremely difficult for
their family members to live their lives in an effective manner. There are cases wherein the
family members of those who are in are treated very harshly and people start considering them to
be armful for the society. It can be said that epistemological issues that are associated with the
realism philosophy due to existence of independent data and the data that has been used in this
research is based on real life experiences.

Method of analysis
In order to analyze the data that has been collected by the Rachel will be analyzed using a
thematic analysis. It can be defined as a method for analyzing the qualitative data and it is
usually used for analyzing the interview transcripts (Dodgson, 2017). The data collected is
closely analyzed in order to identify themes. In context to this report, the researcher has
identified various themes. The same are defined below –
Theme 1 – There are a lot of health problems that are faced by the family members such as
insomnia.
By analyzing the interview transcript for this particular theme, it can be concluded that
Frank and his wife find it difficult to sleep because of all the stress and Pam is facing heart
palpitations due to which, there has been an impact on her health.
Theme 2 – Because of the usage of public as well as private transportation many problems
are faced by the members of the family.
It has been observed during the analysis of this theme that in order to meet Josh in the
prison, different transportation mediums are used. And that they have to wait for the same.
Theme 3 – The family members of those who are in prison avoid meeting people,
interacting with them as well as other social gatherings.
It can be interpreted that when Josh went to the prison, it gradually became difficult for
the family members to meet as well as interact with other people and eventually they started
avoiding any social gatherings.
Theme 4 – Long waiting hours during prison visits
By analyzing this theme, it can be stated that when family members go to visit Josh at the
prison, they have to wait for long hours as there are a lot of people (Schratz, 2020). Victoria has
stated that they have to wait for around 3 hours in the prison waiting room before meeting Josh.
Theme 5 – Lack of proper communication because of a lot of people around and a lack of
privacy.

According to this theme, it can be said that Frank said that waiting there makes their eyes
hurt because of so much bright light.
Theme 6 – Dealing with mental as well as emotional abuse
It can be concluded that having a family member in prison is a mental and emotional
abuse which affects life.
Findings
From the above analysis of different themes from the interview transcript, it has been
found that it can be difficult for the family members if a male relative gets into prison. The data
was collected by different people who have a male relative in the prison (Smith, 2019). The data
has been collected from Frank, Victoria and Josie. From the above subject matters, it's far
understood that Frank and his spouse suffered from mental and physical trauma as their son went
to jail as Frank have said that he and his wife didn't get wink of sleep and her spouse had heart
palpitations that is risky for fitness. Another respondent by means of the call Victoria told about
various challenges she need to face which will go to to prison to satisfy his son and he or she said
that it's miles very long day for her as she ought to leave early from her house so one can attain
prison and she or he takes different train and buses to attain her vacation spot and when she
reaches to jail she should wait a lot which will meet her son. She also said that after she need to
watch for 3 hours to satisfy her son and there may be so much chaos in the prison and those
which visits prison to meet their family have to anticipate very long hours (Stewart, Gapp and
Harwood, 2017). Frank additionally said that once a person out of your household is going to
prison it isn't always the single person which suffers because everyone in the own family suffers
which includes their youngsters, dad and mom etc. He states that it is very heart-breaking for
anybody to suffer and children who is going to go to center waits for their dad eagerly to satisfy
them. Above respondent gave brilliant description about how they feel and what consequences
those troubles have made on their lives. It also assist in explaining about the amount of
intellectual and physical trauma faced by their households and special troubles and situations
confronted through them.
It was also found that Josie was not able to handle the responsibility of the family all by
herself. And she did not want to become the mother that she is being.

“Well, for me, my job doesn’t pay much. I work in a nursing home. If I work nights, I get paid
more, but it’s really hard at night. there are fewer staff on and you are looking after more
people. It’s bad for your health as well … it upsets your sleeping and eating. I started getting
stomach pains when I worked nights for too long so I had to go back to the day shifts even
though it pays less. That was OK when James had money coming in from his job in the hotel,
but once that went. I don’t have enough to cover the rent and bills unless I’m really careful.
Before James went to prison, if something needed doing around the house, like a repair, he
would do it …. But now, I have to get someone in or leave it broken … I’m always worrying
about money. And then there was the cost of going to back and forth to court and taking time
off work.”
On the other hand, Frank said that the friends and relatives are embarrassed to talk to
them and they don’t want to make them embarrassed (Turner, Cardinal and Burton, 2017).
“Well it’s like a big secret hanging over us. Close friends know but they don’t ask too much
about it … embarrassed I suppose, they don’t want to upset you. But like the other week, Pam
and I were in the town and we bumped into this lady we used to see a lot when Adam was
younger. Her son used to do the same swimming competitions as Adam. I forget their names
… but anyway … when we saw us, she was straight over to say hello and she was telling us all
about her son. He’s at university, he’s got a girlfriend, they went on holiday to Croatia. And I
was dreading that she would ask about Adam”
Ethical issues focuses on collecting data by approval of volunteer and data should be
taken after the permission of volunteer. Research should be well-planned and adjusted that it
should comply the need of topic and it should be done by using appropriate methods for
research. Ethical issues are based on understanding the need of research and how it should be
conducted. Good research should be appropriately designed and ethically approved (Yeong and
et.al., 2018). Lower standard during research is considered as misconduct and poor ethics.
During the research, it is important to approve from the volunteers where data is being collected
and it should consist information about issues related with ethics during research. During
research it is important to follow the ethical codes pertaining to the subjects which can affect and
considered as vulnerable which includes children, prisoners etc. Ethical issues are also based on

the fact that data should be collected from people after their approval as data cannot be collected
by forcing them and the people which have volunteered for research their identity should be kept
confidential and the data which is collected by research also should be kept confidentially. Other
ethical issues includes authenticity of data as it should be collected from authentic source and
data should be reliable and effective.
Research should be based on the topic which doesn't hurt sentiment or feelings of people
and society as it shouldn't be disrespectful to someone and data of respondents should be kept
safe. Ethical issues also focuses on analysing data appropriately and effectively as collected data
shouldn't mislead anyone and there should be no type fabrication with relation to data. Research
should should effective as there shouldn't be any kind of conflict of interest among researcher
and respondents
Discussion
In today’s environment different types of crime are doing by people and then get the
punishment in different ways. The government is playing the vital role where it governs
regulations and laws for the purpose of improving the situation and critical problems. People are
facing the social issues and problems where it proper supervision should be provided that can
help to developing the performance. After conducting the interviews of Josie, Frank, and
Victoria qualitative piece of research has been used by researcher (Rachel) where it gather the
information from the participants and aware them from the punishment in case of continuing
offence. This interview develop the understanding that what mentality they have and how their
life experience can be improved. This also helps to bring the changes in their daily life by
collecting information in relation to social care. The person who are involved in the themestic
and social scientists which used to bring the new techniques and activities in changing
environment which can help to solve the problems (Paton, Powell and Wagg, eds., 2019).
In theme 1: In case or theme of prison, the management and Rachael should developing the
understanding about social care and practices which used to solve the problems. By using
Functionalist theory is used by interview which can help to bring the performance and activities
by managing the all functions. This helps to describe the role of interviewee in male relative
imprisonment.

In theme 2: It can be concluded that Josh has used the serving a five year sentence for drug
and burglary offences. Joshie went to prison and hard to say its family feel shame in front of
others so they started to avoid gathering and events as they feel nervous. Bronfenbrenner’s
theory should be used by interviewee that can help to maintain good behaviour in relation to
social life, peer groups or family or friends or society.
In theme 3: This can be concluded that the people should have proper understanding and
skills which can develop the knowledge how to develop the understanding of younger people. In
this Deontology or teleology is used by interviewee that supports to solve the consequences. The
three people ate have involved in crime as taking drug, wrong sentence and others where
understanding can help to managing the skills and abilities effectively (Collins, 2019).
In theme 4: Age code that described that people who was involved in offence are between
the age of 18 to 26 where understanding is needed and provide the support to managing the
functions. Social problem theory should be used by researcher or people which can help improve
the social groups and promoting the education between people and providing them optimum
solution (Pettigrew and Cronin, 2019).
From the above discussion it can be defined that prison, age, conflicts, and lack of
education are the main code in relation to current topic, where effective theory should be used by
interviewee by sharing the information and managing the all activities. This also helps to bring
the improvement in people behaviour and provide them opportunity to develop their life.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that people who are associated with a male
relative who is in prison, such as their family members as well as friends, have to deal with and
experience various issues. The issues have been categorized into different themes so that the
readers are able to develop an understanding of the same. The ethical issues that have been taken
into account by the researcher include keeping the information safe and confidential. Also,
before taking the interview, informed consent was also obtained from all the participants. It can
be concluded that the family members of a male relative who is in prison, have to deal with both
mental as well as physical stress. And that the family members have an equal right of living their
lives in the way that they want.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Collins, P. H., 2019. Intersectionality as critical social theory. Duke University Press.
Danermark, B., Ekström, M. and Karlsson, J.C., 2019. Explaining society: Critical realism in the
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33(2), pp.355-358.
Paton, G. E., Powell, C. and Wagg, S. eds., 2019. The social faces of humour: Practices and
issues. Routledge.
Pettigrew, S. and Cronin, S. L., 2019. Stakeholder views on the social issues relating to the
introduction of autonomous vehicles. Transport policy. 81. pp.64-67.
Schratz, M. ed., 2020. Qualitative voices in educational research. Routledge.
Smith, M., 2019. Research methods in accounting. Sage.
Stewart, H., Gapp, R. and Harwood, I., 2017. Exploring the alchemy of qualitative management
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Turner, S.F., Cardinal, L.B. and Burton, R.M., 2017. Research design for mixed methods: A
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