Qualitative Mock Study – The Role of the Researcher, Participant Access, and Ethical Considerations

Qualitative Mock Study – The Role of the Researcher, Participant Access, and Ethical Considerations

This week, you will continue to develop your qualitative mock study through an exploration of key ethical considerations. For this assignment, you will describe issues related to role, access, and ethics in qualitative research studies and their relationship to research design.

Complete each section below.

Role of the Researcher

Qualitative research provides a pathway for exploring and gathering insight into real-world problems. Qualitative research utilizes descriptive, non-numerical data to answer the how and whys of a phenomenon. In healthcare research, qualitative researchers gather information on the participant’s behaviors, experiences, and perceptions to answer pertinent research questions and subsequently address a healthcare problem or advance knowledge on aspects of healthcare. Likewise, qualitative researchers maintain the credibility and rigor of qualitative research designs to ensure that the findings and conclusions accurately represent the participants’ experiences on a subject matter (Busetto et al., 2020). Data collection, monitoring and reducing bias, development of competency methods, and dissemination of the research findings are some of the roles of a qualitative researcher.

Data collection and analysis are the primary roles of a qualitative researcher. Qualitative researchers, in this respect, attempt to access the perspectives, experiences, and thoughts of healthcare professionals regarding access to mental healthcare across ethnic minority groups. Several qualitative data collection tools can be used to collect data. One-on-one interviews, observations, open-ended surveys, and questionnaires are some of the data collection tools that qualitative researchers can use to gather information. Data analysis follows data collection. Data analysis encompasses transcription of audio-recorded data, data interpretation, coding, and theming (Collins & Stockton, 2022). Data synthesis proceeds with analysis. The researcher’s role, in this stage, is to summarize the data to accurately represent the meaning the research participants ascribe to their experiences, behaviors, and emotions.

Monitoring and reducing bias is another fundamental role of qualitative researchers. Schumm (2021) notes that monitoring and reducing bias is a way of maintaining the integrity of qualitative research. During qualitative research, the researcher’s ideas, beliefs, values, and hopes for the study may constantly crop up and result in confirmation bias. It can distort the findings whenever this occurs, as it skews the responses toward what the researcher hoped to find. Monitoring and subsequently lowering the disposition to interpret the participants quickly remains a role for qualitative researchers. Likewise, qualitative researchers should be conscious of their previous knowledge and dispositions and be open and receptive to the information provided by the research participant.

Qualitative researchers also play a role in developing competence in qualitative research. Qualitative research often requires a specific skill set that will enable the researcher to minimize bias, apply data collection techniques appropriately, and handle and manage collected data (Collins & Stockton, 2022). The first step towards ensuring competence in qualitative research is to perform a self-assessment on the level of competence in the skills required for qualitative research. Qualitative researcher can then bolster their skills through mentorship training on diverse aspects of qualitative research, such as data collection and analysis, actual designs, data dissemination, and coaching. This may improve the researcher’s skills in qualitative research and their responsibility when performing qualitative research.

Qualitative researchers also play a role in presenting the research findings to the target stakeholders. The majority of qualitative research is usually displayed in writing. It is thus imperative that qualitative researchers master the prerequisite writing skills for effective presentation of the research findings (Collins & Stockton, 2022). University resources such as the library provide valuable writing guides to qualitative researchers. They also grant an opportunity for capacity expansion in academic writing through online lessons on writing mechanics. Qualitative researchers can also bolster their wiring skills through coaching and mentorship.

 Access to Participants

The mock qualitative research sought to understand and describe the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals regarding mental healthcare services among ethnic minority groups. The target participants are healthcare professionals from Harris County, TX.  The process of gaining access to the target participants will utilize a multi-step approach, integrating approvals, mobilization, participant education, and informed consent.

The initial step in accessing the target participants will be to seek approval from the university. The approval permits the researcher to conduct the research within the community. It also authenticates the research process, enhancing its acceptability by the participants.  Mobilization is the second step in accessing research participants. It involves reaching out to healthcare professionals within the County to identify interested candidates. This can be attained by leveraging personal networks, reaching out to online communities of healthcare professionals in the county, and using tools such as flyers. Social media is a powerful tool that eases the processes of participant recruitment. Through virtual groups such as WhatsApp groups and online communities, the researcher may be able to access healthcare professionals who are willing to participate in the study.

Further, participant education gives insight into what the study entails and highlights what is required from the participants. Online education of interested candidates empowers them to make informed decisions about whether they want to participate in the study. Candidate selection is then implemented per the set inclusion and exclusion criteria. In the mock study outlined, the research participants must be healthcare professionals with experience in managing mental health illnesses among ethnic minority groups.  Informed consent is then obtained from all the selected candidates per the provisions of ethical healthcare research.

Ethical Considerations

The commitment to ethical research requires the researcher to dignify the research participants while upholding the integrity of the research findings. The proposed qualitative study has several ethical considerations, including voluntary participation and informed consent, anonymity, and result communication.

Voluntary participation in research is an ethical mandate that requires all research participants to be free to decide whether they want to participate in the study without coercion. Stemming from the Nuremberg Code, voluntary participation in human research demonstrated the researcher’s commitment to respecting and dignifying humans. In this respect, the research participant can choose to participate in the study, refuse to answer questions they may feel uncomfortable with, or drop out of the research at will, even after consenting to participate in the study (Newman et al., 2021). In the qualitative mock study, voluntary participation provisions will be applied to all the target candidates.

Informed consent is another ethical mandate that will be applied in the mock study. The informed consent provision requires that all the participating candidates agree to participate in the study. Informed consent is demonstrated by signed documentation bearing the participants identifying details, the study process, and what is required of the participants (Newman et al., 2021). In the mock study, all the research participants will be educated on the study processes, as well as what is required of them to enhance their capacity to make informed consent. Written informed consent will also be obtained before allowing the selected candidates to participate in the research.

Confidentiality is another ethical consideration that will be made in the proposed research. Confidentiality in research helps build trust between the research participants and the researcher. Confidentiality requires the researcher to remove the identifying information of all participants when reporting the findings (Dougherty, 2021). In the mock study, all participants’ identifying information will be removed when presenting the research findings. Information on confidentiality will be communicated to the research participants during the recruitment process. Another consideration that will be made during result communication is accurate reporting. Accurate reporting demonstrates credibility in human research. In this respect, the findings will be communicated as obtained without fabricating or falsifying data.

References

Busetto, L., Wick, W., & Gumbinger, C. (2020). How to use and assess qualitative research methods. Neurological Research and Practice, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-020-00059-z

Collins, C. S., & Stockton, C. (2022). The theater of qualitative research: The role of the researcher/actor. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21, 160940692211031. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221103109

Dougherty, M. V. (2021). The use of confidentiality and anonymity protections as a cover for fraudulent fieldwork data. Research Ethics, 17(4), 480–500. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161211018257

Newman, P. A., Guta, A., & Black, T. (2021). Ethical considerations for qualitative research methods during the COVID-19 pandemic and other emergency situations: Navigating the virtual field. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 160940692110478. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211047823

Schumm, W. R. (2021). Confirmation bias and methodology in Social Science: An Editorial. Marriage & Family Review, 57(4), 285–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2021.1872859

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This week, you will continue to develop your qualitative mock study through an exploration of key ethical considerations. For this assignment, you will describe issues related to role, access, and ethics in qualitative research studies and their relationship to research design.

The Role of the Researcher, Participant Access, and Ethical Considerations

Complete each section below.

Role of the Researcher

Using your mock study topic as an example, explain the role of the researcher in qualitative research. Write your response on a new line below.

Access to Participants

Think about what participants you might be interested in interviewing or observing for your qualitative mock study. Describe how you will gain access to these participants, including any relevant steps needed to gain permission to access these individuals. Write your response on a new line below.

Ethical Considerations 

Discuss any additional ethical considerations in your qualitative mock study. Think about aspects of confidentiality, credibility, etc. Write your response on a new line below.

References

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