Instrumentos de medida de factores cognitivos

Research methods are professional techniques that are used to structure, collect and analyse the data relating to the research question (Polit & Beck, 2013). There are two different paradigms that have a significant implication for the research method: the positivist and the relativist paradigms or quantitative and qualitative approaches (Polit & Beck, 2013). These two paradigms have contrasting worldviews and assumptions about reality (Creswell, 2013). They are, essentially, the two primary methodological approaches that are actively seeking researcher recognition (Ellis, 2013). In seeking to identify causal factors or indeed generate scientific rules, they do not solely allude to the concept of natural science in their ontological and epistemological theories but utilise an identical approach a suggested by Phillimore and Goodson (2004).

Ultimately, positivist methodology aims to compile and analyse numerical data, to prove a single truth. The objective of this methodology is to provide explicit and precise casual factors, which are indisputable, rather than trying to interpret the data (Polit & Beck, 2013). The main benefits of using this technique are (1) the study can be reproduced without difficulty and (2) the findings are generalisable (Creswell, 2013). These qualities

79 are results of the purely statistical nature of the structured method of data collection (Polit & Beck, 2013). Nevertheless, one of the typical objections cited against positivism is the lack of clarity in interpreting the findings of, for example, surveys– the main one is positivism does not take account of human experience and how human beings arbitrate between their experiences (Creswell, 2013). The question arises as to whether this criticism is justified, as the key elements of this method are concerned with the patterns of cause and effect, rather than the significance of these behaviours (Creswell, 2003). While it is obvious that the methods used when undertaking positivist research are indeed scientific, the concept of “objectivity” herein is not strictly maintained in this study.

Conversely, qualitative methods are typically used by relativists, interpretivists or constructivists, in line with the ontological and epistemological stance of the researcher (Procto 1998). Qualitative methodologies seek to establish the significance of social conduct, which allows for a wealth of knowledge to be gathered (Ellis, 2013). Based on the idea that all information requires analysis in order to provide contextual sense, relativists employ various techniques including interviews, focus groups, case studies and other methodologies to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the research area (Yin, 2013). While, according to positivists the findings of qualitative research are not reliable, valid and/or generaliseable, they do proved a deeper understanding from a human perspective, as is the case with this study (Park, 1991).

The advantages and disadvantages of qualitative methods and the reason for accepting case study as an appropriate method for this research are identified in Table 4-1.

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Table 4-1: Advantages and Disadvantages of Qualitative Data Collection Methods Methodological

Approach (Qualitative)

Advantages of Method Disadvantages of Method

Reason for

Accepting/Rejection Method

Ethnography This approach is based on the observation of an occurrence. The researchers study the phenomenon and interpret it according to the participants’ perspectives (Nurani, 2008). It does not depend on on people willingness to provide information. Vulnerable to observe bias. Hawthorne effect- participant usually perform better when they know they are being observed. Does not provide information to understand why people behave the way they do.

I rejected this approach because it focused on the observation of cultural and social interaction in daily lives. In addition, I have a limited time for data collection for my research and this method tends to take a longer time to generate and analyse data than other methods.

Phenomenology It studies structures of conscious experience as experienced from a subjective or first person point of view, along with its intentionality.

It is challenging to describe or interpret phenomenon

according to its context without bias (Shi, 2013).

It is a more descriptive approach. This approach focuses on describing the meaning of phenomenon that all participants have experienced by using in-depth interviews. Grounded

Theory

Rigorous method that facilitates theory development. The researchers do not make use of available theories to make sense of the data, instead, interpretations come from the data itself (Hussein et al., 2014).

It is difficult for inexperienced researchers to collect data based on the budding theory.

High potential for error. Researchers may end up documenting people’s experiences without understanding the social process.

Case Study Explains, describes or explore phenomena in everyday contexts (Yin, 2009). Observation of phenomena occurs in its natural context (Zainal, 2007).

Difficult to generalise results due to sample limitations. Represent depth of evidence rather than breadth.

A case study allows me to use multiple sources of evidence that helps to address a range of behavioural and historical issues (Stake, 2003; Baxter & Jack, 2008; Yin, 2013).

This used qualitative case study (constructivist approach) to investigate people’s personal realities in order to gain insight into the effectiveness of degree nursing being a

81 requirement in SA and its implications in the reality of contemporary practice (Guba & Lincoln, 1994; Yin, 2013; Polit & Beck, 2013). This approach is helpful when there is little information about the research focus, or if it is not possible to distinguish the issues under consideration from the participants’ context, or where it is important to determine how issues are dealt with in the context of their surroundings (Park, 1991). Furthermore, this approach is helpful in circumstances where interaction between the researcher and the research participant is essential in order to better understand and draw conclusions about the research focus (Rodwell, 1998).

4.3.1

Research Design

Research design assists in directing or pointing researchers towards the focus of their studies. According to Joubish et al. (2011), a research design is the paste that glues all of the components in a research project together. Yin (2009) identifies three conditions to be considered when determining the appropriate research method:

1. The type of research question posed

2. The extent of control the investigator has over actual behavioural events; and 3. The degree of focus on contemporary as opposed to historical events.

The relationship between the three conditions and the related research methods (as outlined in Table 4-2 determine the most suitable approach to use.

Table 4-2: Relevant Situations for Different Research Methods (Yin, 2009: P.8).

Method The type of research question posed

The extent of control the investigator has over actual behavioural

events

The degree of focus on contemporary as opposed to historical

events

Experiment How, why? Yes Yes

Survey Who, what, where, how many, how much?

No Yes

Archival Analysis

Who, what, where, how many, how much?

No Yes/no

History How, why? No No

Case Study How, why? No Yes

As Table 4-1 indicates, the relationship between the three conditions and the related research methods determined the most suitable approach to use. In this instance a case study was the most appropriate method to use with “how” and “why” questions that

82 require no control of behavioural events and a focus on contemporary events, which made it a good fit for this study. Yin (2009) pointed out that “how” and “why” are more explanatory in nature and are more likely to lead to the use of case studies. Furthermore, Yin (2009) explains that case study survey entails planning, determining the study design, resource gathering and allocation, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Although each stage is distinct, it is linked to other stages as the processes are dependent on each other and all affect or are affected by the research findings.

Yin (2009) makes a comparison between case study and other research methods. He elaborates that the case study approach provides results showing how and explaining why certain events happen the way they do. It is also the most applicable research method in cases where the researcher has no power over the events. Yin (2009) advises the readers to select data collection and analysis methods before embarking on the project.

Yin (2009) guides the researcher in choosing the most appropriate case study type depending on the research goals, data gathering, and evaluation methods. After theory development, the researcher also makes a catalogue of other hypotheses that may explain the phenomenon. According to Yin (2009), this strengthens the research plan and validity. The scholar may select holistic, single case, embedded or multiple case designs. Single- case studies are chosen because they are critical, acute, and representative. During the determination of the survey design, the author emphasises on the creation of a study pool protocol as it affects the research findings.

Unlike other literature that only outlines information sources, Yin (2009) explains data gathering principles such as the use of several sources, database development for future use, and preserving a series of proof. The ideologies are necessary for research, as they are associated with quality control. Scholars can increase the reliability of a study through triangulation of results obtained from different data sources. Regarding reporting, the author explains that an understanding of the audience determines the report’s language and tone.

However, the implication of a degree nurse education policy required an in-depth and extensive description within the context of the social-cultural phenomenon in SA. The case study methodology, justification, and how it is processed for this thesis will be discussed further in Section 4.4.

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