Analysing Euthanasia Using Grounded Theory - Essay Example

?Analysing Euthanasia Using Grounded Theory Introduction Plenty of research has been conducted concerning the various issues that surround euthanasiawith, a most controversial issue, which is currently plaguing many individuals and their governments all over the world. The fact that it has become such a controversial issue has merited the increased research in it and many of those researchers and scholars who have involved themselves in its study have ended up with varying opinions and conclusions. Among the most well-known definitions of this issue that has come to be accepted by many in the field is that it is the bringing about the death of a being for humane reasons. Other researcher have come up with the definition that it is the killing of a person with the intent of ending his or her suffering, because the extension of their suffering would serve no purpose (Anquinet et al, 2013). It has been found that despite the massive controversies that surround euthanasia, most of the research conducted concerning it has concluded that euthanasia is not acceptable due to the involvement of the intentional ending of a patient’s life by another human being (Dees et al, 2013). While such conclusions may seem to be correct in a moral standpoint, one would conclude that the near lack of research concerning the advantages of the legalization of euthanasia has made debate on the subject most one sided. In order to end such a deficiency in knowledge concerning the subject, therefore, it has become the purpose of the research to ensure that this issue is addressed fully and the different aspects of its legalization all over the world analysed. Method The research will be conducted using qualitative methods, mainly the grounded theory, and this will involve the collection of data mainly through studies and interviews that will help determine the conclusions that the researcher will come up with after analysis (Yu, Jannasch-Pennell and DiGangi, 2011). When collecting data, among the most important aspects that will be considered is that the various observations that will be made concerning the subject matter as well as the personal perspectives of those individuals who whose family members have undergone or would like to undergo euthanasia. This will ensure that the research puts into perspective the various issues that help in the determination of the reasons why euthanasia is considered the best option among some people (Karlsson, Milberg and Strang, 2012). In addition to this, the research methods adopted will allow the researcher to get close to the people who have the information that he wishes to gain concerning euthanasia. This will ensure that he does not end up relying on generalized information, instead creating the opportunity to gain an insight concerning the unique circumstances that led to the decision to conduct euthanasia (Marwijk et al, 2007). It is a fact that in qualitative research, the researcher’s personal experiences and insights when conducting it are some of the most important aspects of his inquiry because it allows his to be able to better understand the diverse phenomena concerning the subject of the research (Sinuff, Cook and Giacomini, 2007). Therefore, it will be important for the researcher to get directly involved in the study of the subject matter, to the extent of going to interview not only the families of those involved, but also those government officials and lobby groups, which are directly concerned with the legalization of euthanasia. When conducting the research, a neutral stance will be adopted by the researcher because to do otherwise would be to display bias, a factor that may compromise the conclusions of the research. The main source of the data to be analysed will be acquired from a newspaper article that involves the French president promising to ensure the passing of legislation that will legalize the application of euthanasia in France, adopting similar laws as its neighbours Belgium and the Netherlands (Heneghan, 2013). Since in this type of research, the individual conducting it is not allowed to make judgments on the people he or she is interviewing, a thorough study shall be made to ensure that only the most accurate information concerning the legalization of euthanasia is collected. The researcher will be aware of the sensitivity of the issue and because of this awareness, the observations made when conducting the research will add to its quality since the information received will be accurate (McCormack, Clifford and Conroy, 2012). During the process of making the research findings the researcher will make sure that, he includes himself and his informants so that the credibility of the research can be advanced through the researcher’s personal experience. This format will work towards making the research process more visible and alive to those with no prior knowledge concerning the research and it will eventually enable the researchers and participants to be viewed as real people (Onwuegbuzie et al, 2012). Since change is a process that is on-going, it will be necessary for the researcher to make frequent adjustments so that there is no loss of focus during the research. Analysis There will be a thorough analysis of the data collected where most of the information will be carefully dealt with to ensure that the data is subjective hence a better understanding of the specific issues involving the legalization of euthanasia. The analysis of the data will require that this case be put into a social and historical context and therefore, it will necessitate the researcher to be cautious of any generalizations that may have been made concerning the subject over the time when the research was conducted. An emphasis will be made on the careful comparison of the diverse case studies on the legalization of euthanasia so that it can be determined whether there have been any progresses since the subject was first broached and whether there is a likelihood of there being any future progress (Whitehead et al, 2012). While the different works by different authors will be considered, the researcher’s own perspective will be brought to the fore because this is what will determine the credibility, which is likely to convey the authenticity and trustworthiness of the research (Richards, 2009). While there will be recognition of the possibility to achieve complete objectivity and since it is a fact that the use of complete subjectivity works towards undermining credibility, the researcher's focus will be a reflection of a balance between understanding and portraying the various aspects of the concerning euthanasia and its legalization. The researcher will also be a self-analysis, which is required to ensure that it is politically aware and correct, and this will ensure that more people will be inspired to study the research that has been conducted. One of the purposes of the research was to make a study of the various aspects that are involved in the legalization of euthanasia and in the article concerning the French government’s possible adoption of related legalization one will find that it also considers similar legislation in other countries. An analysis will also be made concerning the different legislations concerning euthanasia in different countries so that a relationship between the similarities and differences between them can be made so that a better perspective of the research can be made. In addition, the fact that many countries, especially in Europe such as Belgium, have only passed these legislations because of pressure from the immense pressure from the public as well as lobby groups will be analysed so that a better understanding of the power of the masses can be made. Furthermore, it is in the best interests of the research that the analysis be conducted in such a way that it is done in the most credible way possible by studying all the available material on the subject matter (Sinkovics, Penz and Ghauri, 2008). The need to have a credible analysis is one, which will ensure that the research is done conclusively, and that most of the information collected is included in a bid to create diversity in the research. Employing the use of qualitative research model uses a natural language that is powerful and is specifically designed for surveying the diverse number of texts that are needed for the development of a credible research. There is better insight of the analysis and this will be done statistically using open-ended responses. The researcher will be able to gain an insight of the thoughts of the individuals who support, lobby for and make legislation dealing with the legalization of euthanasia, and their opinions, therefore being able to know their desires. The process of categorizing the various aspects of the research is possible through the automating of the survey analysis. This will be able to provide the researcher with a great value since he will be able to do without having to go through the drudgery and expenses that are associated with the manual coding and this will ensure that time is saved. Using text analysis, the researcher will be able to use linguistics that is based on technology and this will able to cut through the ambiguities that are present in the human language (John and Johnson, 2000). This is essential in uncovering patterns that are present in the attitudes, beliefs and the various opinions that an individual will have about others who are actively involved in the issue of the legalization of euthanasia. This type of analysis will add strength to the research since the researcher will have a large pull of information to analyse and from which to make conclusions. Conclusion It is the opinion of the researcher that euthanasia involves the simple killing of a patient who is suffering from a disease that is untreatable or excruciating or has gone into an irreversible coma. It can be said that the type of euthanasia being applied at the time has only one aim, and that is to end the suffering which a patient in going through due to his disease. Whether the method being used is active or passive does not matter because the result shall remain the same, the death of the patient. Whenever the act of euthanasia is conducted, one would say that all the relevant moral factors are held constant no matter what is done to ensure that the patient is put out of his or her misery. Consequently, there is no morally pertinent difference between allowing the patient to die of a terminal disease and ending their lives earlier. We suggest that the argument made by those who support the legalization of euthanasia is true; that the application of euthanasia leads to the same end, mainly death, and that there is no reason to ignore the fact that the patient involved is suffering from a terminal illness. It is therefore right that euthanasia be made legal and the resolution of whether to apply it or not to be left in the hands of the individuals. References Anquinet, L., Raus, K., Sterckx, S., Smets, T., Deliens, L. & Rietjens, J.A.C. 2013, "Similarities and differences between continuous sedation until death and euthanasia - professional caregivers' attitudes and experiences: A focus group study", Palliative medicine, vol. 27, no. 6, pp. 553-61. Dees, M.K., Vernooij-Dassen, M., Dekkers, W.J., Elwyn, G., Vissers, K.C. & van Weel, C. 2013, "Perspectives of decision-making in requests for euthanasia: A qualitative research among patients, relatives and treating physicians in the Netherlands", Palliative medicine, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 27-37. Heneghan, T. 2013, “Francois Hollande Pledges To Legalize Voluntary Euthanasia In France.” Huffington Post. John, W.S. & Johnson, P. 2000, "The pros and cons of data analysis software for qualitative research", Journal of Nursing Scholarship, vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 393-7. Karlsson, M., Milberg, A. & Strang, P. 2012, "Dying cancer patients' own opinions on euthanasia: An expression of autonomy? 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Appendix Francois Hollande Pledges To Legalize Voluntary Euthanasia In France By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor PARIS, July 1 (Reuters) - President Francois Hollande reaffirmed his aim to legalise voluntary euthanasia on Monday after a majority of France's national ethics committee advised him not to let doctors help the terminally ill take their lives. Hollande said France would hold a national debate on the issue in coming months and his government would submit a bill in parliament by year's end that would go beyond the current law that bars doctors from providing assisted suicide. Nearby Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Switzerland allow voluntary euthanasia in some form and Hollande included a pledge to legalise "medical assistance to end one's life in dignity" among campaign promises for his election last year. Another campaign pledge to allow same-sex marriage prompted several mass protests before it was voted into law in April. Some of its opponents, who have been strongly supported by the Roman Catholic Church, have suggested launching a new wave of street protests against legalised euthanasia. Asked about the ethics committee's advice while visiting a hospital in the western port town of Lorient, Hollande said his government's proposal "will complete and improve the (current) law which was already a step in the direction of human dignity". That law, passed in 2005, lets doctors end extraordinary means of treatment if terminally ill patients request it and encourages palliative treatments to ease their pain. French public opinion polls show widespread support for legalised euthanasia in late terminal cases. Hospital staff convicted of helping patients die in recent years have often been given suspended sentences in view of this approach. The ethics committee said a majority of its 17 members thought it was "dangerous to society" to legalise assisted suicide because vulnerable patients might see it as a threat that their lives could be ended before their natural deaths. But that majority was slim. Eight members registered the dissenting view that assisted suicide should be legalised to respect the individual choice of ill patients who request it. The board's report said the record of euthanasia policies in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands was not reassuring and there appeared to be little effective monitoring of such cases. "These countries legalised euthanasia for patients in the terminal stage who are able to decide for themselves, but in practice the target group has progressively grown broader and been extended to vulnerable groups in society," the report said. In Switzerland, it added, a fifth of patients helped by an assisted suicide association between 1990 and 2000 "did not suffer from any mortal illness". Four states in the United States - Washington, Oregon, Montana and Vermont - also allow assisted suicide. The report, which is not binding, said open debates should be held around France to involve civil society in the decision. "The National Ethics Committee wants to have a national debate - that is also my approach," Hollande said. (Additional reporting by Pierre-Henri Allain in Lorient; Editing by Alison Williams) Read More