Research Methods
The purpose of this research is to understand what makes college students with chronic illness resilient. In this chapter, I present my research paradigm and methodology for the study. Next, I address the aim, philosophical foundations and limitations of qualitative and phenomenological research. Last, but not least, I describe in detail the setting and data sources for the study, data collection procedures and methods of analysis for the interview data.
Qualitative Research Paradigm Even though the limited research on college students with chronic illness focuses on both qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, for the purposes of understanding the resiliency of this population, qualitative is the more ideal approach. …show more content…
Because of this, I have chosen a phenomenological research method. A phenomenological study is well suited for this type of research as it explores common meaning for several individuals based on their lived experiences under a phenomenon (Creswell, 2013). The basic purpose of this type of research is to reduce the individual experience into a composite description of the essence of the experience for all individuals (Moustakas, 1994). At the same time, the phenomenological researcher in no way diminishes the lived experience of the participant, but simply tries to identify the what and the how of the experience. Phenomenological research does not try to analyze or explain the essence of the experience, but focuses on providing a complete picture to the reader (Moustakas, 1994). Phenomenology also moves away from only looking for empirical …show more content…
First, phenomenology seeks to suspend all judgments about the reality of the phenomenon until they are found within the research with a substantial level of certainty (Moustakas, 1994). As previous research has shown, one of the major barriers for students with chronic illness is the judgement, presupposition and lack of awareness non-chronically ill persons have about these students condition (Jung, 2002; Goodwin & Morgan, 2012; Kranke, et al., 2013). A phenomenological research approach suspends all preconceived notions about the participants, while still acknowledging the researchers previous experience with the phenomenon, in order to describe the experience of others. Using this approach allows the voices of the students experiencing chronic illness to stand out and educate others about the essence of their condition while on campus. Phenomenology also recognizes the intentionality of consciousness. The idea behind intentionality of consciousness is that as conscious beings, not only do we interact with our environment, but we are also aware of these interactions (McIntyre & Woodruff-Smith, 1989). These interactions give one a sense of self and allows the self to give meaning to interactions between subjects and objects. By recognizing this concept, the idea of the subject-object dichotomy is refuted (McIntyre & Woodruff-Smith,
The purpose of this research is to understand what makes college students with chronic illness resilient. In this chapter, I present my research paradigm and methodology for the study. Next, I address the aim, philosophical foundations and limitations of qualitative and phenomenological research. Last, but not least, I describe in detail the setting and data sources for the study, data collection procedures and methods of analysis for the interview data.
Qualitative Research Paradigm Even though the limited research on college students with chronic illness focuses on both qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods, for the purposes of understanding the resiliency of this population, qualitative is the more ideal approach. …show more content…
Because of this, I have chosen a phenomenological research method. A phenomenological study is well suited for this type of research as it explores common meaning for several individuals based on their lived experiences under a phenomenon (Creswell, 2013). The basic purpose of this type of research is to reduce the individual experience into a composite description of the essence of the experience for all individuals (Moustakas, 1994). At the same time, the phenomenological researcher in no way diminishes the lived experience of the participant, but simply tries to identify the what and the how of the experience. Phenomenological research does not try to analyze or explain the essence of the experience, but focuses on providing a complete picture to the reader (Moustakas, 1994). Phenomenology also moves away from only looking for empirical …show more content…
First, phenomenology seeks to suspend all judgments about the reality of the phenomenon until they are found within the research with a substantial level of certainty (Moustakas, 1994). As previous research has shown, one of the major barriers for students with chronic illness is the judgement, presupposition and lack of awareness non-chronically ill persons have about these students condition (Jung, 2002; Goodwin & Morgan, 2012; Kranke, et al., 2013). A phenomenological research approach suspends all preconceived notions about the participants, while still acknowledging the researchers previous experience with the phenomenon, in order to describe the experience of others. Using this approach allows the voices of the students experiencing chronic illness to stand out and educate others about the essence of their condition while on campus. Phenomenology also recognizes the intentionality of consciousness. The idea behind intentionality of consciousness is that as conscious beings, not only do we interact with our environment, but we are also aware of these interactions (McIntyre & Woodruff-Smith, 1989). These interactions give one a sense of self and allows the self to give meaning to interactions between subjects and objects. By recognizing this concept, the idea of the subject-object dichotomy is refuted (McIntyre & Woodruff-Smith,