Representative Research: A Qualitatively Driven Approach

Research methodologies represent complex sociohistorical evolutions within the social sciences ranging from reductionist to reflexive sensibilities (Tuchman, 1994). These inquiries each emphasize dissimilar variations of data analysis as found in their subsequent conclusions obtained from and during the research process. Unlike quantitative methodology with its explicit formulaic constructions, qualitative research includes a veritable cornucopia of methodologies, paradigms and methods. This paper briefly reviews those experiences encountered and processes which unfolded during a pilot project for a research class. Although Miller and Crabtree (1992) proposed a research roadmap with associated typologies within qualitative research, this paper focuses on the process of learning to "drive" with this roadmap by synthesizing theory to the field and back to theory. Agar's (1986) observation of research, specifically ethnography, as requiring "intense personal involvement. . .and an ability to learn from a long series of mistakes" (p. 12) best characterizes the research process written about here. This article is available in The Qualitative Report: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol2/iss3/2 Representative Research: A Qualitatively Driven Approach by Mark P. Combs The Qualitative Report, Volume 2, Number 3, December, 1995 Research methodologies represent complex sociohistorical evolutions within the social sciences ranging from reductionist to reflexive sensibilities (Tuchman, 1994). These inquiries each emphasize dissimilar variations of data analysis as found in their subsequent conclusions obtained from and during the research process. Unlike quantitative methodology with its explicit formulaic constructions, qualitative research includes a veritable cornucopia of methodologies, paradigms and methods. This paper briefly reviews those experiences encountered and processes which unfolded during a pilot project for a research class. Although Miller and Crabtree (1992) proposed a research roadmap with associated typologies within qualitative research, this paper focuses on the process of learning to "drive" with this roadmap by synthesizing theory to the field and back to theory. Agar's (1986) observation of research, specifically ethnography, as requiring "intense personal involvement. . .and an ability to learn from a long series of mistakes" (p. 12) best characterizes the research process written about here. Looking for a Vehicle Within qualitative research different methodologies posit and subscribe to different epistemological and ontological assumptions that comprise and provide distinctions about the research process (Guba, 1990). Understanding one's self-referencing or paradigmatic grounding requires that there is a fit between chosen research sensibilities with their explicit paradigmatic groundings. This resonance between researcher and research paradigm/methodology, is critical to the "steering" of the research process. This steering input may require significant research effort, such as in the case with field based research, or be more limited such as in quantitative correlation studies. Unique destinations and conclusions are reached, based upon the linkage between steering input and paradigmatic directions. My perspective on research favors a social constructionist orientation (Gergen, 1985); therefore, it follows that my approach to research differs from the positivist-representative paradigm. Subsequently, there is a collaborative and reflexive orientation in my research which allows for a jointly constructed endeavor "with" others thus distinguishing my approach as interactional and meaning-making. Another way of understanding this initial step in research, is to think of how we go about looking for cars. Do we want a truck, sports car, family sedan or all-terrain vehicle? Based on the answer to these initial questions, we then look at models which fit the parameters of our search and needs. The fit between function and form lead us to a mental schema which informs our car search.