Qualitative Research Methods for Social Scientists

This research report is about the blame and shame faced by people with male relatives in prison. It involves qualitative data analysis and discusses epistemology, ethics, findings, and discussion. The report highlights the impact of having a male relative in prison and how it affects the family. The report concludes that imprisonment has both pros and cons.

Qualitative research methods for
social scientists

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
EPISTEMOLOGY AND ETHICS............................................................................................3
FINDINGS.................................................................................................................................4
DISCUSSION............................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
This research report is in the context of the topic blame and shame faced by the
people for having male relatives in prison. This research involves qualitative data analysis
which involves effectively analysing the data gathered through the focus group interviews.
This research is important as it helps in getting an understanding about how the people feel
and experiences from such events. This research also helps in highlighting the impact of such
incidents that a male relative is in prison and how they feel when they had a visit to their
relatives. Therefore, based upon the various themes, the key findings form the interview is
analysed and discussed which helps in gaining better understanding and in-sight about the
situation.
EPISTEMOLOGY AND ETHICS
Epistemology accounts to the philosophical study of the origin, nature or the limits
of the human knowledge. It is mainly focused on what is considered to be true and is opposite
of ontology. In regard to the research philosophy there are various sources of knowledge
which can be Intuitive knowledge which is based upon the human intuition and beliefs and
the other is authoritarian knowledge which mainly relies upon the information which is being
acquired from books, research papers and so forth (Hothersall, 2019). The main issue
pertaining to Epistemology in this research report is the perception of the interviewers which
provides information about the other things outside oneself.
In this research, qualitative research method is used which involves gathering and
analyzing the non-numerical data such as opinion, thoughts or experiences in a textual way. It
helps in providing better insight into the problem. This research method is having number of
advantages like it offers wider content which is helpful in practical application. As it helps
the social scientists to understand why the people are making different choices and is a way
for resolving the actual life problems (Ekström and Westlund, 2019). Another advantage of
this research method is that it makes use of the small size sample which results into
completing the study rapidly and thus, this consequently make it possible for the researcher to
collect data form the research participants quickly. Along with this, it helps in reducing the
chances of potential bias as under this, the data is collected from the event which results into
making up of the choices as it only looks at the fact. For this reason, the data collected
through this is more accurate making it possible in predictable outcome. But on the other
hand, there are certain drawbacks of it as well. It creates only subjective data and highly
detailed information might lead to incredible inaccurate outcome. It is a time-consuming

process as the in-depth collection of data is a difficult task. In addition to this, it does not
allow any type of statistical representation.
The ethical consideration is the set of standards and code of conduct which are
required to be complied with while carrying out the research. There are certain essential
ethical principles which is to be followed in order complete the research effectively. The
ethical issue which might arise pertaining to this research that protection of the data gathered
from the participant even though research has taken into consideration all the factors which
helps in making sure that the data of the participants are not leaked or disclosed in any form
(Sipes, Mullan and Roberts, 2020). The research has complied with all the required ethical
principles and has also accounted for all the potential issues which might arise. The
researcher has made sure that the research participants are not subjected to any type of harm
and the dignity of them is prioritized. In addition to this, the full consent of the participants is
being derived prior o the research in a written form. In addition to this, voluntary
participation of the respondents is essential in a research and thus, researcher have given right
to participants to back out at any point they want to from the study. Adherence to Data
Protection Act is being maintained throughout the research.
FINDINGS
Theme 1: People within 18-26 years old are in prison.
Based upon the interview conducted with the participants, it has been found out that
in case of all the three participants, one thing is common which is the relative who is in
prison is between the age of 15 to 26 years old. For example, son of Joshie who is 23 years
old is serving five year prison sentence. Another example is grandson of Frank who has been
in prison for time and is aged 22 while in case of Victoria whose son age 25 is serving 1 year
sentence. As per the data gathered through interview, it was identified that Josie was aware
that Josh would get a long term sentence as it was told by her solicitor. She tried to made him
plead guilty for which he denied at first but later he did. If he said he was innocent, then there
were chances that the sentence would have been more longer. He is sentenced for 5 years in
the case of drug and burglary offences. In addition to this, he has been to a Young Offenders
Institution and an adult prison prior to being punished for this offence.
On account of the answers received from Victoria whose done James is being
sentenced for 12 months in the case of drug offences. This is the first time for James in
prison. She had no other family and some are there but are very far in Kenya. James was the
only man in the house and now she has to handle everything all alone. In the similar way, in

case of Frank whose grandson Adam is sentenced to 18 months pertaining to the shoplifting
and the drug offence. This is also the first offence and imprisonment for James. Frank was
not in the court when Adam was sent down as his wife was not well and might not be able to
survive the stress. The main reason behind the all the relatives of these three participants is
that they were involved into drug offences. This is very common in UK as it is illegal to
possess or supply the controlled drugs. In addition to this, it is not legal to import or export
drugs. The drug misuse has harmed the lives of many people and the number of offences are
increasing even though the government has imposed legal actions against it. The first time
drug offenders are likely to pay fine or serve for a term. Therefore, it has been found out that
or as stated by Frank, Adam got into wrong crowd some of them he knew from school and
started taking drugs after that he even started dealing into it. He was all into drugs and he
even lost his apprenticeship. In addition to this, he even wed certain amount of money to
some nasty people which resulted into making him deal more in order to pay off the debt.
One thing led to another and later he got caught and now in prison.
Theme 2: Interviewee’s experience of shame when a relative was sent to prison.
There is always a sense of shame or blame which hangs when a family member or a
relative gets into a prison. The same experience has been felt of the participants. As stated by
Frank a big secret was hanging as the close friends know about it but they didn’t ask about it
much, which is might be due to the reason of embarrassment and they might not want to
make me upset. Along with that, there was a time when Frank and his wife bumped into a
lady whom they used to meet frequently when Adam was younger. The son of the lady and
Adam used to do same swimming competition. As she came straight to say hello and was
even telling about her son. Frank was dreading that she would ask about Adam. Frank felt
like now he is in a prison as when one sees a relative going to prison is not just a punishment
for that relative but for all the other family members as well. Those kids who are waiting at
the visit centre for seeing their father is heart breaking.
On the side of Victoria, stated that it took a lot of courage to tell this to the family.
Family of Victoria stays far and use skype to every few weeks to communicate o meet.
Initially she used to tell them that James is at work or gone out when they called out for him
but later on, they started suspecting things. But when her mother was hospitalized, she had to
tell this to everyone. Her sister was very supportive and was even upset that Victoria didn’t
told her before and struggled all by herself. Her sister and her husband were very supportive
and had even suggested to try help James getting a job after he comes out form prison in a
restaurant where he can get a job in kitchen as he is working in prison kitchen currently. On

the perspective of Josie, she things that Josh will again go to jail and has even accepted that
this is life “Going backwards and forwards to see him”. She thinks the future of Josh is
pessimistic and does not feel anything good about it as he is stuck in a revolving door as he
goes to prison, serve his punishment, gets out and again starts roaming with his old friends in
his old ways. He has built up a reputation as the police always comes around here in case
anything happens. This does not always mean that he has done something but the police will
always come back. Upon this, Victoria stated that it is very shameful on seeing police turn up
again and again and take one’s relative away in handcuffs. When James was arrested, the
surrounding neighbours use to come out and witness what is happening for which Victoria
cannot even believe what is happening. She thought of die of shame as everybody starts
talking and looking at them and even some people resist to sit next to them in church and
these are those people with whom they have sat every week for years and those who were
thought to friends and now is the situation that they don’t even want to see or talk to Victoria.
In addition to this, Victoria further stated that there are times when it becomes
difficult to go out the house. But one of Victoria’s best friend helped in her hard time as she
spoke to the pastor and sorted out the mess and even spoke to church and provided her some
money as without James wages it was difficult to pay for rent. Having a relative in prison also
affected the financial situations of many as in case of Victoria as her nursing home job does
not pay much and working at might which gives higher pay is hard for her and hampers her
sleeping, eating and overall health issues. Money coming from James job was coming
everything was good but when he went to prison, she did not have enough money to pay for
the bills and rent. As per Frank visiting a relative is much more costly and when they are
transferred to another prison which is even more far than it costs even more.
DISCUSSION
Based upon the findings, it can be stated that the giving punishment in the form of
presentment can be both helpful and deterrent. Both of these terms are complete opposite of
each other. If the prison is considered to be a code, then it can be related in the context to the
Functionalist theory. As per this theory, all the aspects of the society serve for a purpose and
is essential for the long-term survival of the society. On relating this theory to the current
situation, it can be stated that there are positive functions of prison which helps in bringing
better to the society (Rusu, 2020). It helps in providing relevant learnings to the prisoners for
the offence they have committed which helps in making them realise about their fault or
wrongdoings. In accordance with this theory, the prison provides positive results which helps

in overcoming some of the negative aspects of the society and bringing change to the society
at large. With respect to the theme 1, prisoners are mainly in the age of 18 to 26 years which
results into providing ample opportunity in regard to teaching them the lesson. But on the
other hand, there is a theory which is exact opposite of it which is Marxist conflict theory,
which states that prison is deterrent as it explains that by relying upon the prison there are
certain dysfunction of the system which is being ignored. This results into emergence of the
condition such as inequality and poverty which will consequently lead to increase in crime
(Parsons, 2017). This theory is mainly associated with the relationships among the social
classes. This is associated with the never ending conflict for the finite resources. Therefore,
on relating this to the situation of Victor in which James have been imprisoned many times is
the perfect example that prison is deterrent and is not functioning all good and there are
loopholes which is making it meaningless.
In addition to this, it can be stated that the UK government with the support of some
of the organisations and procedures in order to exercise control over the such behaviour. This
is in reference to the social control theory which states that the these are the commitments,
values and beliefs which promotes people to not override the law. The UK government has
organised various programs which aims at providing guidance to the individual so that they
do not commit any offence which might result into ending up in a prison. These program
motives at exercising control over the behaviour of the individual which supports in
providing direction and conducting activities which helps in moderating the behaviour of the
people so that they do not engage into any offensive activities. These programs or the
initiatives of government can be used by the individuals who are in the prison so that they can
have a fresh start.
CONCLUSION
It can be inferred from the above findings and discussion that it feels very bad and
embarrassing when a relative is in a prison as stated by the three participants. The main
reason behind such offence by the people between the age of 18 to 26 is due to wrong
surroundings or the friends which persuades them to engage into such activities or the people
who are very aggressive and gets angry easily. Providing punishment in the form of
imprisonment is having both pros and cons which are conveyed by describing the relevant
theories. In order to bring social justice government has also undertaken initiative to monitor
and control the behaviour of the people.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ekström, M. and Westlund, O., 2019. Epistemology and journalism. Oxford University Press.
Hothersall, S. J., 2019. Epistemology and social work: Enhancing the integration of theory,
practice and research through philosophical pragmatism. European Journal of
Social Work. 22(5). pp.860-870.
Parsons, T., 2017. The present status of “structural-functional” theory in sociology. In The
idea of social structure (pp. 67-84). Routledge.
Rusu, M. S., 2020. Street Names through Sociological Lenses. Part I: Functionalism and
Conflict Theory. Social Change Review. 18(Winter). pp.144-176.
Sipes, J. B., Mullan, B. and Roberts, L. D., 2020. Ethical considerations when using online
research methods to study sensitive topics. Translational Issues in Psychological
Science. 6(3). p.235.