Action for Improving Practice - Term Paper Example

? Business Research Methods The main purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast research methods. This paper compares focus group research method against other five research methods, which include ethnography, in-depth interview, participant observation, action research, and bibliographic research method. The paper also illustrates how these research methods can be applied in the business field. Introduction Research methodology is the process of collecting data and information for the purpose of making business decisions. Research methodology may include interviews, publications, surveys, research and other techniques, including both historical and present information. There are over twenty different types of research methods, but the ones discussed in this paper include focus group method, ethnography methods, in-depth interview, participant observation methods, action research methods, and bibliographic method. Reconciliation Focus Group Methods Focus group is a type of group interview that focuses on communication between interviewees to generate data. Unlike group interviews that are often used to collect data from several individuals simultaneously, focus group usually involves group interaction as part of the method. This implies that a researcher does not ask each person to respond to a question in turn, but encourages people to ask each other question, exchange ideas, comment on other people’s perception and experiences (Chilisa, 2011). This research method is valid for exploring persons’ experiences and knowledge. The focus group method is based on the idea that group interactions can help people to clarify and explore their views and experiences in a manner that would not have been possible with a one-on-one interview (Liamputtong, 2011). The questionnaires used in focus group method have a series of open ended questions and encourages interviewees to answer the questions in their own styles, and even generate further questions and pursue their own priorities. Focus group method helps researchers to include the different forms of communication that people use in their day to day interaction, including arguing, jokes, teasing, and anecdotes. Accessing such forms of communication is significant because the interviewees’ attitudes and knowledge are not restricted in reasoned responses to present the questions (Faherty, 2009). This is what distinguishes focus group methods from other forms of qualitative research methods. Its other advantages include: it does not discriminate against persons who cannot write and read; it encourages participation from individuals who are reluctant to be interviewed and encourages participation from persons who feels that they have nothing to say (Faherty, 2009). The downside of this method is that articulation of group norms may derails individual voices of dissent. Additionally, the presence of a group may also compromise the confidentiality of the research process. In the business field, focus group methods are useful when conducting studies that focus on empowering employees. The employees are allowed to share their ideas and present a report about their findings. The results obtained are then used to implement that change required, which is believed to favor all employees (Ozerdem, 2010). Ethnography Ethnography is the study of social behaviors, perceptions and interactions, which occur in organizations, communities, groups, and teams. It primarily focuses on providing rich and holistic insights into an individual’s actions and perceptions, including the nature of the location they occupy, through the collection of detailed interviews and observations (Scott-Jones & Watt, 2010). Ethnographers typically collect participants’ observations, and encourage direct involvement and engagement with the samples they are studying. During research processes, ethnographers usually use conversational and informal interviews that enable them to probe and discuss emerging issues, or pose questions about unusual events, in a naturalistic manner. They also collect documentary data such as photographs, diaries and minutes of meetings and formal in-depth interviews. Situations or participants are sampled on a purposive or opportunistic basis. Ethnographic data are assessed to identify and classify key issues and themes, which emerge from the data (Fetterman, 2009). Using inductive process, ethnographers can carefully analyze data to produce timid theoretical explanations from their empirical works. Ethnographers usually provide a detailed description of the research participants and its setting that is normally based on interviews with a number of key informants and many hours of direct observation. Additionally, they use methodological triangulation to enhance the quality of ethnographic work (Fetterman, 2009). The use of interviewees’ observations enables ethnographers to understand their research settings, thus enhancing the understanding of social actions in different contexts (Liamputtong, 2009). The use of participants’ perceptions also enhances the understanding of social practices that are usually hidden from the public gaze. This helps in identifying, exploring and linking social phenomena that are usually believed to have little connection with each other in the public gaze. However, this research method is problematic in relation to the long time that researchers spend while conducting interviews and observing actions. While focus group method focuses on the communication between participants, ethnography method focuses on one-on-one interviews with the participants. This makes ethnographers to be patient, flexible, and persistent in their work since data collection process can be withdrawn or disrupted as politics or local circumstances change (Liamputtong, 2009). Additionally, ethnography methods are usually used to research social phenomena issues as opposed to focus group methods that are primarily used in organizational settings to empower employees. However, both methods are similar in that they both utilize participants’ perceptions. In the business field, ethnography methods can be used to study international markets. The information collected is useful in identifying different people’s cultures, thus acquiring the knowledge of people to hire, and the kind of products and services to offer, in that market. In-Depth Interview In-depth interview is a qualitative research method designed to explore the participants’ perceptions about the research topic (Minichiello et al. (2008). During these interviews, the researcher is perceived as the student while the interviewers are regarded as the experts. The researcher’s main motives, in this method, are motivated by the need to learn anything that the interviewers can say about the research topic. The research questions are presented in a neutral manner, and the researcher carefully listens to the participants’ responses. Additionally, researchers do not guide participants in accordance to the preconceived notion, and participants are also not encouraged to provide specific answers through disapproving or approving their opinions (Lapan, 2011). Unlike focus group method, in-depth interviews are usually conducted on the one-on-one basis between the interviewer and interviewees. In-depth interviews are primarily used for learning about an individual’s perspectives as opposed to focus group method that focuses on learning a community’s group norms. In-depth method is inappropriate for getting individuals to talk about their personal opinions, feelings and experiences (Smart, 2009). However, in-depth interviews provide opportunities for learning about people’s interpretation and understanding of the world. Unlike focus group method, in-depth interviews are appropriate for researching sensitive methods that people might find difficult discussing in a group setting (Lapan, 2011). In comparison, in-depth interviews are used for learning individual feelings, experiences, opinions and addressing sensitive topics while focus group methods are used for identifying group norms, gathering opinions about group norms, and discovering variety within a population. Moreover, in-depth interviews are used for gathering in-depth responses with contradictions and nuances (Chilisa, 2011) while focus groups are used for gathering information on a variety of opinions and norms in a short time. In-depth interviews can be used to collect employees’ varying opinions over certain issues such as compensation benefits. The collected information is useful in designing company policies that suits all employees. Participant Observation Participant observation is a qualitative research method of investigating social concerns where the researcher participates in the everyday life of a social setting, and records their observations and experiences (Ozerdem, 2010). The participant’s observation is considered as an important part of this qualitative method. This method is closely related with ethnography methods and theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism. Additionally, it is often used alongside other qualitative interviewing methods. Observation methods provide researchers with several ways of checking nonverbal expression of feeling, establishing how much time is spent in performing certain duties, understanding how participants communicate with one another and determining who associates with whom (DeWalt & DeWalt, 2010). Participant observation methods, like focus group methods, allow participants to use their own language, and understanding of different terms to answer questions during the interview process. Participant observation also provides richly detailed information about a given organization or community more than focus group method. It also provides a basis for learning and understanding how different individuals describe intentions, behaviors, events, and situations (DeWalt & DeWalt, 2010). However, most researchers, using this method, are usually not interested in studying what happens in the public domain, and this may require them to depend on using key informants (Duke & Mallette, 2011). Errors are also incurred when researchers depend on marginal participants, community leaders or informants who are similar to them. Both participant observation method and focus group methods are used for identifying group norms, gathering opinions about group norms, and discovering variety within a population. This means that it can also be used to study issues concerning employs in any organization. For example, it can be used to identify the type of working environment that employees require in order to improve their work output and efficiencies. Action Research Action research is a qualitative research method that is used to examine an individual, small group of participants, or a large groups’ action (Hinchey, 2008). Researchers gather data about the participants through direct observation, tests, protocols, interviews, collection of writing samples, and examination of records (Henning, 2009). This method is used in real situations, rather than in experimental studies because it primarily focuses on solving a real problem (Koshy, 2008). Researchers who choose this method are usually practitioners who are determined to improve their understanding of their practices, or academic experts, who have been invited into an organization to establish a solution to an immediate problem, which that organization lacks the methodology knowledge to solve (Koshy, 2008). In comparison, action research is normally applied to solve an immediate problem while focus group methods are used to gather information about people’s opinions regarding a particular issue, and the results obtained are used to solve a future problem (Schmuck, 2008). Additionally, action research involves less time than focus group method. In business, this method can be used to address issues relating to employees’ strike. Biographical Research This qualitative research method involves the collection and analysis of an individual’s whole or part of life usually through unstructured and in-depth interviews. This method does not only focus on describing an individual’s lifestyle and achievements, but it also includes description of an individual within the context of life experiences, social connections, and historical events (Babbie, 2010). This method also focuses on determining how people construct narratives about their lives in response to the social setting, during an interview process (Miller, 2010). Biographical researches help in learning and understanding people’s lifestyles and achievements, and the collected information can be used to influence other people’s lives. In comparison, biographical researches are used for understanding an individual’s lifestyle and capabilities while focus group methods are used for identifying group norms and gathering opinions about group norms. Additionally, biographical researches are conducting through face to face interaction between interviewer and interviewee while focus group focuses on information collected from group interaction (Campbell, 2008). In the business field, an organization may demand biographical researches to be conducted on the people the human resource department is planning to hire. The information collected can then be used to analyze recruits’ knowledge, skills and experiences. Conclusion There are several research methodologies that researchers can adopt in studying a particular area of interest. Research methods differ on the procedures used for data collection and analysis. The type of research method applied for a given research depends on the size, type, nature, and confidentially of the targeted group or rather sample. In some studies, more than one research methodologies are used to conduct the study because they almost share same techniques. Similarly, some techniques cannot be used in a research process because they apply totally different techniques. This paper established that the focus group method share some common techniques with other research methods such as ethnography and participant observation methods, while it differs from other methods such as in-depth interview, action research and bibliographic research methods. Table: Comparison of Focus Group Method with other Research Methods Comparison of focus group method with other research methods Similarities Both focus group and ethnography methods utilize participants’ perceptions. Participant observation methods and focus group focus group methods allow participants to use their own language, and understanding of different terms to answer questions during the interview process. Both participant observation method and focus group methods are used for identifying group norms, gathering opinions about group norms, and discovering variety within a population. Differences While focus group method focuses on the communication between participants, ethnography method focuses on one-on-one interviews with the participants. In-depth interviews are primarily used for learning about an individual’s perspectives as opposed to focus group method that focuses on learning a community’s group norms. Participant observation provides richly detailed information about a given organization or community more than focus group method. Action research is normally applied to solve an immediate problem while focus group methods are used to gather information about people’s opinions regarding a particular issue. Biographical researches are used for understanding an individual’s lifestyle and capabilities while focus group methods are used for identifying group norms. Biographical researches are conducting through face to face interaction between interviewer and interviewee while focus group focuses on information collected from group interaction. 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