Example Of Dissertation Methodology On Nursing

Qualitative Assignment-Methods

Qualitative Assignment-Methods

Recruitment and Ethics

The methodology is one of the most important aspects of carrying out research. It details the manner in which the research acquires the information needed for thorough analysis and the subsequent conclusions and recommendations that can be made from the research in question (Welman, Kruger, Mitchell, & Huysamen, 2005, p. 20). The conclusions and the recommendations are important because any interested parties in solving particular problems covered by the research can use them. As such, it is important to have an accurate methodology that enables the collection of data in the most effective manner such that the results derived from the data is accurate and comprehensive (Yin, 2003, p. 12). In most cases, it is difficult for researchers to carry out a study on the all the relevant subjects in the field, which compels them to use samples, which represent the whole population.

Reliability

In this case, the aim of the study is to find out the opinion of students taking health sciences on the health behaviors of their fellow students in the institutions. The methodology employed in this study is to conducting interviews on a selected sample of ten students from Saudi Arabia. The study will balance the samples in the study in terms of gender by interviewing four paramedics (two males and to females) to mitigate the biases resulting from the perceptions of gender (Cohen, Manion, & Morrison, 2003, p. 34). Interviews involve posing questions to the interviewee through personal or face-to-face conversations (McCarthy, 2005, p. 7). In this context, the interviewer will allow the respondents to express their opinions about the subject that the interviewer requires them to answer (Patton & Patton, 2002, p. 6).

Reflexivity

Interviews have both advantages and disadvantages depending on the nature of the information required and the scope of the study (Kothari, 2004, p. 3). First, interviews provide an opportunity for interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee. Interaction is important because the interviewer can read other forms of communication used by the interviewee such as body language, which can enable the interviewer to understand the true opinion of the interviewee. Moreover, interviews are more accurate compared tom other sources of information such as secondary sources of data (Ketchen & Bergh, 2004, p. 34). Since the information is acquired directly from the source, the interviewer is certain that the information acquired is accurate and authentic as given by the interviewee.
Interviews are also subject to certain disadvantages. First, it is expensive to carry out interviews in cases where the interviewees are far away from each other. The interviewer has to travel long distances to reach the sample of the study, which implies that he or she has to arrange for the logistical implications such as transport and accommodation (Creswell & Plano, 2007, p. 13). In addition, it is also difficult to carry out interviews where there is a language barrier. It necessitates translations, which may result in a distortion of the information received from the interviewee (Gurr, 2012, p. 10). On the same note, the interviewer has to create a good rapport with the interviewee to make them willing to reveal the information that they know. Inability to establish a good rapport hinders the process of interviewing (Grbich, 2007, p. 3).

Appendix

The following is a profile of the interviewees in the study. They are Number 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Age group: 20-25
Gender: male and Female
Rapport Questions
Do you live with your family here at the university?
How are you managing here at the university in terms of your degree program?
Is the program helpful?
Main Issue 1: The extent of indulging in unhealthy behavior (Estimate)
In your opinion how many students do you feel indulge in unhealthy behaviors such as taking alcohol and drinking?
When are students more likely to drink or smoke?
How about when they go out to parties, is there a higher amount of students drinking and smoking? 
Do you believe the rate of consumption alcohol consumption would be higher if the students were not paramedics?
Main Issue 2: Causes of indulgence in Unhealthy behavior.
What are the reasons students take up unhealthy behavior?
In what situations would the behavior of other students change others lifestyle in terms of drinking and smoking?
How does peer influence affect the choice of lifestyle?
How do you feel about stress as causative agent of unhealthy behavior?
How would the environment around affect students choices to take up such behaviors?
What influence does family have in these cases?
Main Issue 3: The Risk factors
Tell me about the effects of alcohol and smoking on health.
Do you believe drinking and smoking helps students in any way?
How would students perceive that these behaviors are morally accepted?
Is the practice taking place in social groups?
Do you believe public awareness in the institution can reduce the rate of consumption of alcohol and smoking?
Other Questions
What else can you tell me about indulgence in unhealthy behavior?
References
Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2003). Research methods in education. London: RoutledgeFalmer.
Creswell, J. W., & Plano, C. V. (2007). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Grbich, C. (2007). Qualitative data analysis: An introduction. London: SAGE Publications.
Gurr, E. P. (2012). The Ethics of Conducting Ex Parte Interviews.
Ketchen, D. J., & Bergh, D. D. (2004). Research methodology in strategy and management: Volume 1. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods & techniques. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd.
Kumar, R. (2005). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners. London: SAGE.
McCarthy, P. (2005). Conducting interviews. Chicago, IL: Pat McCarthy Productions.
Patton, M. Q., & Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative research and evaluation methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Welman, C., Kruger, F., Mitchell, B., & Huysamen, G. K. (2005). Research methodology. Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
Yin, R. K. (2003). Case study research: Design and methods. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.