CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.2 Research Design
3.2.1 Paradigm and Approach
When choosing a research approach for this thesis the following statement
accurately represented what I, as a researcher, was trying to achieve. “Qualitative research makes the world visible” (Denzin & Lincoln, 2011) a phrase that is simple in nature, yet when observed within the context of this research study, is profound. As outlined by the literature review above, the Aotearoa New Zealand Mental Health system is arguably failing to accurately provide care to young people in need. I intended to make these challenges visible to the world, shining a light on the flaws, investigating the impact they have on young people and elevating the voices of professionals who experience these issues daily. Qualitative research is inherently driven to answer questions by examining society and the individuals who inhabit it (Berg & Lune, 2011). Therefore, for this research project, a qualitative approach enabled me to answer research questions regarding the state of the Aotearoa New Zealand Mental Health system, by utilising the voices and perspective of those who inhabit the mental health system within a professional capacity… hence forth, making the subject matter “visible” to wider society.
According to Lichtman (2014) qualitative research is the perfect research approach if you want to learn more about human interactions or experiences. Unlike
quantitative research, qualitative research does not deal with variables, treatments, or hypothesis testing (Lichtman, 2014). Instead, it begins with a set of assumptions, a specific worldview, or questions about a social phenomenon, which informs how the study is implemented (deMarrias, 2003). Qualitative research poses research
questions with the intention of analysing the meaning an individual or group ascribes to a social problem (Creswell, 2007). The data is gathered within natural settings, sensitive to people and places, and subsequently undergoes an analytical process that establishes patterns or themes (Creswell, 2007). For this research study, a brief literature review was conducted before completing participant recruitment and interviews. This brief literature review informed the initial research design,
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specifically the interview questions, by providing the set of assumptions, a world view, and a theoretical lens. The reviewed literature outlined existing issues within the mental health system, both internationally and nationally; provided some alternative solutions that may improve quality care, and some sociological theoretical frameworks that could inform systemic changes. This informed my perspective on the topic and provided me with material that structured the questions for the interview. However, as a researcher employing researcher reflexivity, I approached the interviews open to exploring epistemological
viewpoints and perspectives that may be different from my own. I was seeking the participants authentic perspectives, rather than imposing my own preconceived ideas on the subject matter (Watt, 2007).
It must be acknowledged that the following statement is an oversimplification and there will always be variations in a researcher’s approach, Rosaline (2008) claims that people who lean towards calculating, hypothesising or searching for variables are prone to quantitative research. Whereas those who lean towards pondering or contemplating, most often about social issues, worldviews or experiences, are more likely to follow the path of qualitative research. Rosaline (2008) further outlines how there is an important link between research method and researcher, with most researchers favouring methods that require skills they already possess. For this research project, and for myself as a researcher, the statement above is correct.
Qualitative research is not only relevant to this research project due to its intrinsic ability to project the perspectives and lived experiences of participants within their natural setting (Berg & Lune, 2011), it also corresponds to experiences and skills that I am familiar with. This will be discussed in more detail later in this chapter, but it is also relevant to note that at the time of writing I hold a professional position within the Youth Mental Health sector. Therefore, I felt passionate about utilising the voices of fellow mental health professionals, which I argue is most accurately portrayed through qualitative research.
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Used commonly within qualitative research, I also drew heavily on an interpretivist research paradigm. This paradigm enables a researcher to gain, understand, and interpret a participant’s authentic, subjective opinions, perspectives, or retellings of lived experiences (Bhattacharya, 2017; Cohen et al., 2018; Dezin & Lincoln, 2011).
This research paradigm assumes the epistemological viewpoint which claims that knowledge as something that exists, and can be found, yet it can be understood and interpreted in various ways (Bhattacharya, 2017; Cohen et al., 2018; Williams, 2016).
This approach views social realities as phenomena that will be understood differently by each person, acknowledging the variations in each individual’s
perspective and the different meaning they will ascribe to a topic or experience. The interpretivist research paradigm encourages researchers to seek these unique, subjective interpretations of reality, and through analysis, interpret them (Bhattacharya, 2017; Cohen et al., 2018; Dezin & Lincoln, 2011).
During the design phase of this research thesis, whilst conducting preliminary literature searching, I also conducted some informal conversations with mental health professionals. These conversations were a continuation of conversations that occurred while working within the mental health sector, often arising between
equally frustrated professionals. These conversations, and the associated preliminary literature searching, specifically the Government Inquiry into Mental Health and Addiction (2018) report highlighted publicly released figures regarding funding, staffing or waitlists. These are quantifiable elements which can be objectively analysed. However, the sufficiency of these figures, or their impact on the
community are subjective interpretations based on an individual’s experience or beliefs. Therefore, an interpretivist research paradigm enabled each participants perspectives to be shared and then interpreted, providing additional insight into the quantifiable numbers. This research paradigm, and its implementation through a qualitative approach, enabled the research intentions to be achieved, while also aligning with my personal ideologies and tendencies as a researcher, recognising
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that reality is tangible, yet it can be interpreted in various ways, and the reported research should reflect those unique interpretations.