of Consulting & Coaching

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 2

Qualitative Research Methodology
PSY-834 of Consulting and Coaching
Kehinde Alli
Grand Canyon University
May 20, 2021.

Qualitative Research Methodology

Introduction

The main purpose of this research is to determine intrapersonal issues that causes rejection of mental health utilization and improvement, interpersonal issues that limit possibility of gaining treatment, and systemic issues that cause barrier between mental health departments and persons who require care. According to the phenomenon, the research design that is most appropriate is qualitative descriptive. Qualitative descriptive design offers proper analyses of healthcare departments since it displays their characteristics mainly instead of focusing on required data (Bradshaw et al., 2017). The methodology allows analysis of a phenomenon based on the respondents and their daily activities that are connected to the expected positive outcomes. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Hello Kenny. Here is something to think about. A systemic issue in is internal to the health department. Interpersonal issues that limit potential patient gaining access to treatment is external to the facility. This may cause a slight flaw as you build your study and difficult to link these barriers. I recommend choosing internal or external barrier to patient access and what do you believe will help reduce that/those barriers. Just my thoughts. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Great reference. Since your focus is on the facility/entity, then are you focusing on documented and support systemic issues that may exist within those facilities that act as barriers to the patient?
Qualitative methodology is the best approach for my research because it provides insight into a phenomenon and how it affects the normal functioning of the people affected. In addition, it is based on its effect on many respondents. This approach is suitable for my research study because it aims at studying mental health related issues. The application of a qualitative research design is proper since it would analyze the naturally occurring mental health issues which affect desire of people to receive care. The study of natural state of phenomena is proper since it reveals how external factors influence the development and progression of issues related to the naturally occurring phenomenon (Kim et al., 2017). Qualitative research is a common methodology used in the fields of social sciences and humanities. In this paper I will be discussing the critical attributes of qualitative research and why it was selected as the most appropriate methodology for my research. I will also provide arguments why it is the appropriate fit for my stated problem and research questions. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Hello Kenny. There may be a slight flaw here. If your design analyzes healthcare departments, then it is less likely to provide insight into the “normal” functioning of affected people (patient). This would suggest that you are comparing 2 groups (non-normal and normal). Therefore, you will have to run an ANOVA or non-parametric test to investigate these differences.

The Qualitative Methodology of Research

The Rationale for this Methodology as the most appropriate for my research is that it generates valid in-depth data related to the step-by-step approach for my study and provides data, which is not restricted or limited. Furthermore, it is the best suited methodology because of the real life experiences shared through interviews with mental health providers and caregivers who are the participants in the study (Augsberger et al., 2015). The participants will provide different accounts of their experiences while working with mental health patients and thus provides primary data. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Be sure to have a secondary plan if a certain facility and/or healthcare workers decline consent to participate in your study.
In addition, qualitative research methodology aims at looking into the life experiences of individuals as they are presented in their different feelings during the interview sessions, their perceptions about their area of specialty, feelings, attitudes and thoughts about the issues faced in the field of care giving services (Willig & Rogers, 2017). This research methodology emphasizes the social interaction and human behavior. The quality and not the quantity of the phenomenon is explored. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Are you taking a 2-step approach? I recommend investigate one for the purpose of achieving your degree and conducting the second phase after the degree.

Furthermore, this method is difficult to reduce biases. If you are going to investigate a patient population, is there a theory or approach that you can measure to see “what” may influence patient behavior in a positive manner toward the service? Just some things to think about.
Furthermore, the qualitative methodology is focused on non-numerical responses which provide information related to my dissertation topic (Aspers & Corte, 2019). The research seeks to successfully understand the “Factors that Influence Utilization of Public Mental Health Services,” and address the problem statement that “It is not known how mental health providers describe the factors that influence utilization of public mental health services.” The different descriptions and experiences that caregivers and mental health providers provide would be a primary source of information that makes qualitative research methodology the best for my study. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Great section Kenny. Thank you.
Moreover, qualitative methodology provides flexibility, and it is effective in data collection from primary sources, which are the participants in the study. Unlike the quantitative method of research, qualitative research allows flexibility throughout the process of research. There are different methods of data collection that can be used in research such as individual interviews with the sample population, conducting focus group discussions with the participants on the main topic of study, and carefully observing the participants to have a clear understanding of the health sector (Mohajan, 2018). The methodology is also effective using respondents, data, visual objects, or documents that all have connection to a phenomenon getting studied (Poucher et al., 2019). It further provides directions for any topic since it is possible to determine a research approach that has the capability of generating future study of a similar phenomenon. The first-hand data collected using qualitative research would provide the right accounts from participants in the study (Herber et al. 2020).
Qualitative methodology tend to provide evidence-informed decisions that are based on professional practices, which is essential at shaping the research question that aligns with the methodology. Since the method seeks to answer questions regarding people’s behavior including why and how they act in certain ways, the themes synthesized from my research outcome would help to answer my research questions that are:
· RQ1: How do mental health providers describe the factors influencing utilization of public mental health services?
· RQ 2: How do mental health providers describe strategies of encouraging patients to utilize public mental health services?
· RQ 3: How do caregivers describe the factors influencing patient’s utilization of public mental health services?
· RQ4: How do caregivers describe strategies of encouraging patients to utilize public mental health services? Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Thank you for providing these research questions. I am not sure how mental health providers can effectively describe factors preventing patient utilization. It seems like you should ask the patient and inform the healthcare provider/caregiver. Seems as though the internal and external approach blurs the lines a little here.
Qualitative research can be used together with different quantitative studies, but as an independent method of research. However, it is not a frequent methodology in the mental health department. Although numerous previous studies used quantitative methodology, nevertheless, a quantitative methodology will not be appropriate for my research. This is due to the findings in a quantitative research study not been able to generalize the information drawn from random sources (Levitt et al., 2018). However, the information gotten from a qualitative study is easily generalized because it is gotten from different sources. The qualitative research methodology acknowledges the significance of generalizations, often referred to in literature as transfer of knowledge and findings from one population, or context to the other. The dependability and reliability of qualitative data analysis is usually achieved through both the quantitative and qualitative research methodology.

Conclusion

In the mental health related research studies, qualitative research methodology plays a significant role. However, the standards for its application are not always evident, especially for the individuals who are not trained in this methodology. The qualitative methodology is used in research to provide a depth understanding or “thick description” of the topic to be studied. It gives a broad perspective of the population being studied, gives an exploration of the topics which have not been intensively studied, develop the conceptual theories and successfully test the hypothesis, or evaluate the whole process of intervention and phenomenon. Qualitative research methodology gives room for individuals to speak their voice instead of conforming to the terms and categories that might be laid by others (Howitt, 2019). Through elicit participation, qualitative research methodology enhances the validity of data collected. This is because it enables the researcher to make a comparison of his or her perception with those of the population being studied. In the initial stages of research, qualitative research methodology is of great significance in research because the researcher will be in a position to gain an understanding and successful get pilot data. Additionally, when there is too little previous information for the topic of research. Comment by LaJuan Fuller, Ph.D: Remember to address the pros and cons between open-ended and closed-ended questions. Also, I recommend using questions derived from previous research to ensure you measure the variables and constructs suggested in the research questions. Keep note test needed to validate qualitive reporting. Overall great job and thanks again.

Hello Kenny. Thank you for providing your thoughts and ideas in this assignment. You have provided references and support for this qualitative methodology. I mentioned a slight flaw in some of your approaches. However, overtime I am sure you will align the problem, research question, hypotheses, and methodology to confirm them.

If you would like more detailed feedback on my comments, please send me an e-mail at

[email protected]

or message in the private forum and we can set up a date/time.

Respectfully,

Dr. Fuller

References
Aspers, P., & Corte, U. (2019). What is qualitative in qualitative research. Qualitative , 42(2), 139-160. doi:10.1007/s11133-019-9413-7
Herber, O. R., Bradbury-Jones, C., Boling, S., Combes, S., Hirt, J., Koop, Y., . . . Taylor, J. (2020). What feedback do reviewers give when reviewing qualitative manuscripts? A focused mapping review and synthesis. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 20(1), 122. doi:10.1186/s12874-020-01005-y
Howitt, D. (2019). Introduction to qualitative research methods in psychology (Fourth edition ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson.
Kim, K., & Garcia, I. (2019). Why do homeless families exit and return the homeless shelter? factors affecting the risk of family homelessness in Salt Lake county (Utah, united states) as a case study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(22), 4328. doi:10.3390/ijerph16224328
Levitt, H. M., Bamberg, M., Creswell, J. W., Frost, D. M., Josselson, R., & Suárez-Orozco, C. (2018). Journal article reporting standards for qualitative primary, qualitative meta-analytic, and mixed methods research in psychology: The APA publications and communications board task force report. The American Psychologist, 73(1), 26-46. doi:10.1037/amp0000151
Levitt, H. M., Motulsky, S. L., Wertz, F. J., Morrow, S. L., & Ponterotto, J. G. (2017). Recommendations for designing and reviewing qualitative research in psychology: Promoting methodological integrity. Qualitative (Washington, D.C.), 4(1), 2-22. doi:10.1037/qup0000082
MOHAJAN, H. K. (2018). Qualitative research methodology in social sciences and related subjects. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 7(1), 23-48. doi:10.26458/jedep.v7i1.571
Poucher, Z. A., Tamminen, K. A., Caron, J. G., & Sweet, S. N. (2020). Thinking through and designing qualitative research studies: A focused mapping review of 30 years of qualitative research in sport psychology. International Review of Sport and Exercise , 13(1), 163-186. doi:10.1080/1750984X.2019.1656276
Willig, C., & Stainton Rogers, W. (2017). The� SAGE handbook of qualitative research in psychology (Second edition ed.). Los Angeles ; London ; New Delhi ; Singapore ; Washington, DC ; Melbourne: Sage. Retrieved from http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&local_base=BVB01&doc_number=029739598&sequence=000001&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA