Qualitative Research Methods for Social Scientists

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