Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theories and Methods, Essay Example

In this class, I have learned various techniques in conducting and applying qualitative research methods in my course work and for my future career. The assignments and projects that we have completed have taught me the importance of interviewing, observation, ethics, field study planning, data collection and data analysis. These subjects and techniques will greatly improve my ability to continue in my studies and to conduct further field studies. Most importantly, the group project gave me alternative perspectives on how to conduct certain research methods, and also how to implement certain techniques. Without the group field study project, I would not have learned so much about the material from other students. Also, several of the individual assignments helped me move forward with the group work, as well. The object observation assignment and the data collection assignment were both great learning exercises for me.

My experience with the group field study has been extremely important in my ability to properly conduct research and apply effective techniques to analyze and interpret collected data. As I have mentioned before in my journal entries, the guidance provided from my group has given me a vast amount of insight into how different perspectives within a study can help dig deeper and analyze information with a greater amount of knowledge and detail. I think that are many benefits to working in a group on projects such as these, because not only did I learn more than if I had worked on the project by myself, but also because most field studies and research is conducted with other students and professionals within the field. So, it is likely that future research will involve other people, and it is necessary to learn how to conduct research in groups.  I think that the most valuable aspect of this class came from the methods learned in the group project, and will be the most important lesson that I can apply to later field study.

In a future study, I would like to develop and perfect my techniques and methods in data collection and analysis. Qualitative research provides the social sciences with a great amount of relevant study and data and has moved along the fields in major and important ways. According to Merriam in “Qualitative Research A Guide to Design and Implementation,” qualitative research and asking researchable questions is what drives an individual in their professional practice, and that “research focused on discovery, insight, and understanding from the perspectives of those of those being studied offers the greatest promise of making a difference in people’s lives” (10). Because of this, I am excited about my continued professional study and practice.

My most valuable learning moments in the class have been in the group field study as well as the interview assignments, both group and individual. The group assignments have been particularly valuable because it has given me the opportunity to learn from other students. There are several methods that we studied from the text that have stood out to me throughout the course of this class. The study on fieldwork, research questions, data collection, observation guide, and interview guide all helped me in applying qualitative research. Conducting research, gathering data, and analysis of the data, as stated in the text, requires planning, such as framing a research question, selecting the most appropriate and effective research methods, and then lastly the data is interpreted in order to answer or revise the research question (Merriam, 2009, pp. 166-179). Another important aspect in data and research analysis is applying ethical standards to the data collection phase. Findings should be void of bias and error, and when conducting qualitative research it can sometimes be easy to fall victim to these types of ethical pitfalls (209-222).This is because of the nature and variety of qualitative research techniques and methods, and this can lead to the failure in properly analyzing data (Bogdan & Biklen, 2007, pp. 2-39).

The assignments and projects from this class have provided me with a better idea of my learning style, as well as help with the techniques in which I was either unfamiliar or inexperienced.  When I am conducting field study, I have a greater understanding of where I want my field of study and professional career to expand. Out of the material we covered in the textbooks, I found that one of the most important subjects is ethics in research because it can often be overlooked. Ethical elements that arise in qualitative research consists of making sure confidentiality and privacy is maintained for all participants, maintaining equal treatment and apply social justice to all participants, and employing responsible and beneficial techniques as an obligation to the participants and the research findings (Bogdan & Biklen, 2007, pp. 2-39). Within my field of study, I hope to apply the lessons, techniques and research methods in order to contribute to my success in my education and profession.

References

Bogdan, R. & Biklen, S. (2007) (5th ed.) Qualitative Research for Education: An introduction to theories and methods. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Merriam, S. B. (2009). (2nd ed.) Qualitative Research A Guide to Design and Implementation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.