Frentes de plataforma interior de la Patagonia (PV, CB, FPA)

Qualitative research established itself as a method of inquiry for the study of human and group life. According to Patton (1990) qualitative method have detail information on human, social and cultural phenomena that could reduce generalisability as in quantitative method. Blaxter et al., (2002) added that qualitative research is more concentrated at collecting and analyzing the non numeric data, with the focus on exploring information in depth rather than breath. Qualitative researchers also deploy a wide range of interconnected interpretive practice hoping to get a better understanding of the subject matter at hand (Denzin et al., 2000). They added that the word ‘qualitative’ itself means the qualities of entities and the process. It also reflects that qualitative approaches are more emphasize word and not experimentally examined or measure in term of quality, amount, intensity or frequency (Bryman, 2004; Denzin et al., 2000). Bryman (2004) also argue that qualitative research method is more an inductive approach, rejected practice and norm of quantitative and represent social reality viewpoint.

Excluding survey that can be adopted in both quantitative and qualitative research work, there are several number of research methodologies that have been used in qualitative research (Oates, 2006; Creswell, 2003).

• Phenomenology • Ethnography • Case studies • Action Research • Grounded Theory 4.5.1 Phenomenology

Phenomenology is sometimes considered a philosophical perspective as well as an approach to qualitative methodology. It is involved in social research disciplines including psychology, sociology and social work. Phenomenology may include events, experiences, situation and concept. Phenomenology methodologies focus on people's subjective experiences and interpretations of the world.

4.5.2 Ethnography

Ethnography is a methodology to study about people and culture, which originated in anthropology. As anthropological based, ethnography methodology involves extensive fieldwork and now has move to social science activities. This methodology using multiple data generation method such as interviews, observation, document and the most important is the personal field notes about what researcher see, feel and experience (Oates, 2006; Stahler and Cohen, 2000). According to Patton (1990) the main advantage of ethnographic methods is ability to gain a detailed and depth information from research participant feedback that is not constrained by predetermined categories.

4.5.3 Case Studies

According to Verschuren (2003) both qualitative and quantitative can apply case studies as their research methodologies. Case studies methodologies focus on in depth analysis of one or groups of units such as an organisation, a department, group of companies or an individual person. According to Yin (2003) case study is

‘an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real- life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clear’. A variety of data generation method can be used in case studies methodologies such as interviewing, questionnaires, observation or/and document analysis. The aim of case studies is to generate a detailed insight of the case, its complex relationship and processes.

4.5.4 Action Research

Adopting action research means that researchers are trying to generate new knowledge about a social system and at the same time trying to improve and change it. According to O’Brien (2001) action research is a learning and experimental process which involved problem identification, problem solving, solution evaluation and repeated process if the result is not satisfied. The aim of action research is to contribute and improve researcher strategies, practices, and knowledge of the case within which the researcher practice (Gerald and Roger, 1978).

4.5.6 Grounded Theory

Grounded theory (GT) is a qualitative research where the intension is to do the field research and then analyse the data to see what the theories emerges so that the theory is grounded in the field data. GT is an inductive approach where the theory is developing first then the field evaluations are done. According to Straus and Corbin (1998) theory that captured from the data are more helping to resemble what is actually going on compared to series of concept based on speculation or experience. According to Oates (2006) questionnaires, interviews, and observation are the structured form of data generation in GT. The major difference between GT and other methods is its specific approach to theory development.

4.5.7 Mixed-Methods or Triangulation Methods

Mixed-methods or triangulation methods are methods which combine quantitative and qualitative approach are mixed in a single study. It is a third major research

paradigm after the quantitative and qualitative research methods. Onwuegbuzie and Johnson (2004) argue that the application of mixed-method could support the weakness existed in quantitative and qualitative research methods. This combination has been referred as triangulation (Denzin, 1970) and mixed-method (Creswell, 2007). According to Onwuegbuzie and Johnson (2004) the goal of this combination is more to expand people understanding rather than to search for corroboration. Seaman (1999) and Mingers (2001) added that understanding and the result of the research are more fruitful of real world compare to the isolation method. Creswell (2007) explained that the implementation of quantitative and qualitative methods involved data collection that divided into two approaches; sequential or concurrent with the priority to one method over the other or having a same and equal status. Two types of data are integrated at several stages in the process of research: data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or combination of research process places. Creswell (2003) also listed six major categories in mixed-methods strategies:

• Sequential exploratory strategies

• Sequential explanatory strategies

• Sequential transformative strategies

• Concurrent triangulation strategy

• Concurrent nested strategy

• Concurrent transformative strategy