Flinders University of South Australia Faculty of Health Science

Assignment 2 Quantitative/ Positivist and Qualitative/ Interpretivist Methodological Approaches, Design, and Causation

Master of Public Health Nutrition

Research Methodology for Social Epidemiology (PHCA 8503)

Semester 1, 2012

Pheak CHHOUN

ID: 2102444

Topic Coordinator: Dr. George Tsourtos

Declaration:

I declare that the submitted work is solely the result of my own original work except where acknowledged as being derived from another person.

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Research Methodology for Social Epidemiology

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Introduction:

It is important to understand the terminology and its utilization in the research process. The terms, for example, ontology, epistemology, methodology, methods or techniques, and source are key component of the research process (Grix 2002), are the core component. The Methodology, which preceded by epistemology concerned with the theory of knowledge and ontology focused on the nature of social reality, is concern with how to go about acquiring that knowledge (Grix 2002, p. 180). Methodology can be divided into qualitative or interpretivist methodological approach and quantitative or positivist methodological approaches which have been philosophically and

ideologically practised in social world with varied understandings.

This paper will be divided into four main parts. In the first part, it will describe qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches and then give some discussion on these approaches with some example to elaborate. In the second part, it will present some arguments that social epidemiology can include both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches. Then in the third part, the illustration of knowledge about observational epidemiology as a research approach and the comparison with experimental studies will be described with some of the designs of each approach. Finally in the fourth part of this paper will give some reasons why causation is important in the field of epidemiology? Then explain why must researchers be cautious to say variable A causes variable B? Lastly, elaboration on what epidemiologists can do

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to provide evidence that a particular risk factor causes a specific disease will be also made in this part.

Part 1a: Qualitative and Quantitative methodological approaches: (750) Qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches are core component in the research design. They both are great but differ in some designs ranging from definition to analysis. This part describes the definition, characteristics and benefits, methods, analysis and limitation of qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches and discusses a method in detail from each approach as an example. Qualitative or interpretivist methodological approach: Definition: Generally speaking, qualitative or interpretivist methodological approach can be defined as collective of methods in acquiring knowledge which emphasize on the qualities and process. It is the theoretical perspective of understanding rather than explaining things. Moreover, it is the inductive approach which focuses on the development of theory rather than testing theories. It is considered as socially constructed approach (Broom & Willis 2007; Denzin & Lincoln 2011). Characteristics and benefits: The major characteristics of qualitative methodological approach are natural setting, language of descriptive, focus on process, and inductive reasoning. Most qualitative methodology engages in language of cases and contexts, examine the process, and interpret the meaning in the natural setting basis (Freedman 1986; Neuman 2011). The language may include words and picture, transcribe of in-depth interview,

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photographs, and memos. Furthermore, its focus is mainly made on the process not outcome. Qualitative researchers concern with the natural histories of situation being researched. This methodology analyse the events between pre-test and post-test by using inductive reasoning without concerning on outcome (Neutens & Rubinson 2010). It provides a great benefits in defining the meaning, and developing theory. Methods in Qualitative methodological approach: There are some methods in qualitative or interpretivist methodological approach. These methods may include observation (participant and non-participant), individual interview (semi-structured and unstructured), group interview (focus group discussion and nominal group technique), and documentary research (Neutens & Rubinson 2010; Saks & Judith 2007). Due to limitation of the assignment, it important to discuss only one method in detail focus group discussion. Focus group discussion (FGD): FGD is the process of exploring knowledge and experience. This method allows participants to explore and clarify many issues or topics in their own word (Kamberelis & Dismitriadis 2011; Manoranjitham & Jacob 2007). It is generally gathered participant from 6 to 12 for the discussion with a well trained facilitator with 90 minutes (Neuman 2011). In term of planning, this method needs moderator, recorder, and participants. Topics to be discuss, place, time and tape recorder are also important for the facilitation in this focus group discussion. The participant selection is based on purposive selection sampling and invited a head of discussion (Manoranjitham & Jacob 2007).

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There are some advantages such as saving time and cost as it can interview many people at the same time, get in-depth information, and involve people in making decision. However, two advantages exist in this method such as some people may feel inhibited while other dominated in the discussion and it requires well-trained moderator or interviewer (Manoranjitham & Jacob 2007). Analysing: The analysing may be made up of making themes and patterns from data transcribing. It is a complex process which needs to thoughtful and thoroughly in some analytical concept including thematic, framework, grounded theory conversation, discourse, interpretative phenomenological analysis, and analytical induction. Generally, researchers need to read the note carefully and note for possible patterns and trend which may result in making themes and hypothesis (Neutens & Rubinson 2010). Then, it is a stage of classification schemes, which is important in formulating hypothesis, followed by read relevant literature and coding important topics from the conversation. It involves coding data, and organizing data. The analysing may use many nonstandard techniques to conceptualize and create a new theory (Neuman 2011). There are some computers programs can be used in data analysis including NVivo, QUALPRO, AQUAD, QCA (Bergin 2011; Neutens & Rubinson 2010) Limitation: While qualitative approach is very useful in the study with naturalistic setting, there are some problems or limitations in using this approach. The limitations may include difficulty of data reduction, inaccessible in study large population, subjective reliability, and time consuming and non-generalise able (Neutens & Rubinson 2010).

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Quantitative or positivist methodological approach: Definition: Quantitative methodological approach, which is known as empirical and positivist methodological approach, is a systematic process of testing theory. Quantitative methodology is a deductive, objective, and formal approach which use numerical data to measure and quantify phenomena and finding. It analyses, examines, and explains the relationship of the cause and effect in order to develop hypothesized relationship and propose study outcome (Carr 1994; Kumar 2011). Characteristics and benefits: The characteristics of this approach may include the ability to test validity and reliability, make generalization and measure in standard methods. These characteristics are far different from qualitative methodological approach as discussed above. It consists of statistical data, operationalized data, with quantifiable coding. The data are categorized in four categories including nominal or categorical, ordinal, interval and ratio (Neutens & Rubinson 2010). Methods: There are some concrete methods specifically use in quantitative methodological approach. Analysing: There asre some Limitation: There asre some

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Qualitative or interpretivist methodological approach, include example (Broom & Willis 2007) Quantitative or positivist methodological approach There are difference between two approaches (Discuss)

Part 1b: Social epidemiology and quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches: 750 Can social epidemiology (prevalence, distribution and social determinants of disease) include both quantitative and qualitative methodological approaches? Critical discuss (750)

Part 2a: Observational epidemiology and experimental studies: 500 The studies in epidemiology classified into two main types which are known as observational and experimental epidemiology. This section describes some basic knowledge on observational epidemiology as a research in comparison with experimental epidemiology and includes some designs. The course of observational epidemiology has been consent to nature of measurement but not intervention. Broadly speaking, it is divided into two types of studies including descriptive study and analytical study.

Part 2b: Causation in epidemiology: 500 Discuss why causation is important in the field of epidemiology? Why must researchers be cautious to say that variable A causes variable B?

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What can epidemiologists do in terms of providing evidence that a particular risk factor causes a specific disease? (500)

Conclusion: Qualitative or interpretivist and quantitative or positivist methodological approach, which were described and discussed in the first part of this paper, were completely different in term of their definitions, characteristics, methods and analysis ad limitation. While focus group discussion (FGD) has been discussed as a method in qualitative, randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been detailed in the quantitative approach. It is seen that, social epidemiology can include qualitative and quantitative methodological approach because of.... While observational study involve.... experimental study .... Causation is important in epidemiology because....

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Reference:

Bergin, M. 2011, 'NVivo 8 and consistency in data analysis: reflecting on the use of a qualitative data analysis program', Nurse Researcher, vol. 18, no. 3, p. 6+. Broom, A. & Willis, E. 2007, 'Competing Paradigms and Health Research', in Researching health: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, eds M. Saks & A. Judith, Sage Publications Ltd. Carr, L. T. 1994, 'The strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative research: what method for nursing?', Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 20, no. 4, pp. 71621. Denzin, N. K. & Lincoln, Y. S. 2011, 'Intorduction: The Discipline and Practice of Qualitative Research', in The Sage handbook of qualitative research, eds N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln, Thousand Oaks : Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp. 1-16. Freedman, E. S. 1986, 'Understanding research', System, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 279-85. Grix, J. 2002, 'Introducing Students to the Generic Terminology of Social Research', Politics, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 175-86. Kamberelis, G. & Dismitriadis, G. 2011, 'Focus Groups: Contingent Articulations of Pedagogy, Politics, and Inquiry', in The Sage handbook of qualitative research, eds N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln, Thousand Oaks : Sage, Thousand Oaks, pp. 545-60. Kumar, R. 2011, Research methodology : a step-by-step guide for beginners, 3rd edn, SAGE Publication Ltd, London. Manoranjitham, S. & Jacob, K. S. 2007, 'Focus Group Discussion', Nursing Journal of India, vol. 98, no. 6, pp. 125-7. Neuman, W. L. 2011, Social research methods : qualitative and quantitative approaches, Boston : Allyn & Bacon, Boston. Neutens, J. J. & Rubinson, L. 2010, 'Qualitative Research', in Research techniques for the health sciences San Francisco : B. Cummings, San Francisco, pp. 153-80. Saks, M. & Judith, A. 2007, Researching health: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, Sage Publications Ltd.

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