OBJECTIVES


As a person with knowledge of various qualitative research methodologies, the author has always brought up to his superiors the viability of strategy formation regarding the analysis of this topic and at times fails to understand the reasons or logic behind certain strategic implementations imposed on it.


By delving into this project paper, the author intends to have better insights into how the various qualitative research methodologies are thought up, formulated and then implemented down into psychological research. The author hopes to have an in-depth understanding as to how the implementation of the various qualitative research methodologies enable researchers in psychology to compete effectively and profitably in this era of internationalization where competition is extremely intense.


In order to reinforce the learning objectives, two key focal issues were focused upon, i.e. innovation and diversity. Innovation was discussed with regard to the various qualitative research methodologies where they were renowned for their developmental capabilities to constantly innovate. Diversity came under strategic thinking and formation as the author considered the diverse culture, political climate, economic surroundings, social environment, technological settings, social policies and legal systems in order to better understand the qualitative research methodologies being discussed.


 


INTRODUCTION


Qualitative research methodologies used in psychological studies discuss the research methods available for the study and what is applicable for it to use in response for the statement of the problem. Likewise, qualitative research methodologies present the various procedures and strategies in identifying the sources for the needed information on the analysis and evaluation of the given data.


            Qualitative research methodologies specify the method of research to be used, research design, respondents of the study, data collection, instruments to be used, validation and administration of the instruments to be used, conducting the experiments, data representative and reliability, locating the needed data to be used, statistical treatment of data and analyzing the gathered data.


More often than not, ordinary researchers don’t really have the capabilities to implement various types of qualitative research methodologies. Instead, they engage in activities that various schools of management typically associate with using various types of qualitative research methodologies These activities include the identification of dependent variables, independent variables, monitoring and evaluation.


However, qualitative research methodologies deal with all operations done within research studies. Activities such as the management of information, the control of variables, logistics and evaluations are often related with research methodologies. A great deal of emphasis lies on the efficiency and effectiveness of processes. Therefore, qualitative research methodologies include the analysis and management of internal processes.


Types of Qualitative Psychological Research


A. CASE STUDY


 


Psychological case studies typically use qualitative research methods. Qualitative research is a method used to elicit detailed verbal and written descriptions or accounts of characteristics, cases and situations. ( and , 1995; , 1998; , 1999) This approach is appropriate for case studies because the research objectives involves descriptions or accounts of the case, the issues involved in the process of integrating the facts and evidences, and suggested ways of addressing the issues, particularly the similarities and differences in the findings.  


 


For psychological case studies, the descriptive method is more commonly utilized. In this method, it is possible that the case study would be cheap and quick. It could also suggest unanticipated hypotheses. Nonetheless, it would be very hard to rule out alternative explanations and especially infer causations. Thus, case studies use the descriptive approach. This descriptive type of research utilizes observations in the case study. 


The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a psychological situation or a case, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena. The researcher opts to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to fully understand the situation so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the psychological case study.


The analysis of psychological case studies applies the positivist research approach. This is because psychological case studies normally involve the accomplishment of these stages of the positivist approach: 1) formulation of case problem; 2) testing the hypothesis; 3) showing the falsity of the hypothesis; and 4) formulating predictive principles (, 2006). The psychological case study also seeks to capture reliable data and the positivist approach focuses on data measurement precision and reliability ( and , 2003). Although the psychological case study also seeks to obtain suggestions from the research participants, indicating a phenomenological aspect, the bulk of data are characterized by measurability so that the primary research approach is positivist.


In relation to research perspective, the psychological case study also utilizes the subjective approach. This is because the researcher is part of the case being studied in the present research. As part of the case, the researcher has knowledge of the entire situation. Through the subjective approach, the researcher recognizes the existence of bias but instead of eliminating this, the researcher seeks to develop a learning relationship with the participants in the case study so that the researcher becomes a part of the knowing process (, 1984; , 1990; , 1993; , 1993; , 1994)


 


B. EXISTING DATA


To come up with pertinent findings and provide credible recommendations, psychological studies typically utilize two types of existing data sources of research: primary and secondary.  Primary research data can be obtained through the new research study. Questionnaire survey and in-depth interview can be conducted. On the other hand, the secondary research data can be obtained from previous studies on the same topic.  


There can be many types of existing data. Secondary data include raw data and published summaries, as well as both quantitative and qualitative data.  (2003) deduced that secondary data fall into three main subgroups documentary data, interview-based data, and those compiled from different sources. Documentary secondary data, accordingly, are the ones often used in psychological research projects that also use primary data collection data methods, although such data can also be used on their own or be combined with other secondary data. Meanwhile, interview-based secondary data are those data collected by questionnaires that have already been analyzed for their original purpose; usually, such data refer to organizations, people or households and are made available as compiled data tables or as a computer-readable matrix of raw data.


Existing data raise the question of the psychological research philosophy to adopt, the he subject of research approach that flows from the research philosophy, the research strategy most applicable, the time horizon a researcher applies to his research, and the data collection methods to be used.


Furthermore, there is a three-stage process devised by  (2003) in order to evaluate the existing data. The first stage is assessing the overall suitability of the existing data to research questions and objectives. During this stage, the researcher will pay particular attention to measurement validity (measuring / estimating whether the existing data will result to a valid answer to the research questions and objectives) and coverage (this includes ensuring whether or not the existing data is wanted and can be included, as well as making sure that sufficient existing data remain for analyses to be undertaken once unwanted data have been excluded).


The second stage is evaluating precisely the suitability of existing data for analyses needed to answer and meet the research questions and objectives. In this stage, the researcher must make sure of the validity and reliability of the existing data by assessing how it was previously gathered, who are its sources, and the likes. Also, the researcher must be cautious not to commit measurement bias (which can occur due to deliberate distortion of existing data or changes in the way data are collected) had been paid close attention. Finally, the researcher must judge whether to use existing data based on an assessment of costs and benefits in comparison with alternative sources.


 


 


CONCLUSION


The results of the analysis carried out on the various qualitative psychological research methodologies indicated very significant effects. Therefore, we could conclude that the various qualitative psychological research methodologies could still be expected to improve faster than average.


The review of various qualitative psychological research methodologies’ capabilities and strengths revealed very little inconsistencies regarding their research strategies. This is coherent with their traditional inside-out approach. However, the need to reconcile both the inside-out and outside-in approaches becomes imperative now for the researcher.


The analysis among the environment as well as the various qualitative psychological research methodologies’ capabilities revealed certain gaps, most of which are biased towards the environment. However, these gaps paved the way towards determining a number of recommended strategic options to secure the competitiveness of the various qualitative psychological research methodologies.


Also, the author has to find a balance between adherence to internal forces within the various qualitative psychological research methodologies and to the changing forces of the environment in order to implement such strategic options.


 


REFERENCES



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