Qualitative Research:
What Are The Psychological Effects Of Prison On Ex-Felons And Their Families?
Introduction
This essay on the use of qualitative approaches in expounding a study topic on the psychological effects of prison on ex-felons and their families. The purpose of this research is to examine the possibility of the convicted criminal engaging in the same criminals. More so, to determine the divorce rates for these e-felons and the frequency of seeking counseling or therapy after being released from the prison. In this paper, we will primarily reflect on Willis (2007), chapters on reflection questions. It is from this reflection we will be capable to identify and discuss the appropriateness of interpretivism or postpositivism frameworks, based on the issues highlighted in the Willis resources (Willis, 2007). In this essay we will also present a qualitative, outlining the advantages of each, highlighting the most challenging and the most specific based on the research questions listed. Additionally, the essay also discusses the validity and conclusions, discussing their relevance based on the research topic.
In order to answer the research questions listed in the paper, we consider the use of an interpretive view of reality, which highlights the purpose of the research. This approach or paradigm believes that understanding the context is one of the most critical things that need to be done in any research. It is from this approach that the researchers get to understand the meaning of the collected data. Also, the postpositivists approach is equally essential as it enables the researchers to use the data from the study to make generalizations (Willis, 2007). In this context, we would like to apply these criteria to evaluate the research questions listed concerning the study topic. The research question presented is “What are the psychological effects of prison on ex-felons and their families?”
The above-stated research question fits in the five frameworks presented by Willis (2007). In this context, the topic of discussion aligns with the nature of reality, which accepts the existence of an external, physical comfort or the socially constructed. According to the interpretivists assertions qualitative researches are influenced and shaped by pre-existing theories and other globally accepted views. Additionally, terms, data, and procedures used in the research have a meaning as they are agreed upon by a group of scholars, making it a socially constructed activity, the reality gaining more acceptance (Willis, Jost, & Nilakanta, 2007). Moreover, the view of reality involves the view on reality based on the purpose of the research, the research purpose is in line with the research question, and in this question, our purpose would be to examine the psychological effects of prison on e-felons and their families.
For qualitative research, it is also essential to consider the methods used in data collection. This ensures that the procedures used are the acceptable and thus advanced quality of data. In this nature of research putting into consideration postpositivists, there is a belief that there is zero progress if the research does not follow up some set standards. Alternatively, the interpretivists believe that standards are not accepted universally, but they apply to a particular group or culture, in the same way, the question under discussion fits in the interpretivism as it only applies to a group of individuals who have been incarcerated, and now released (Kroeze, 2012). Furthermore, in establishing the meaning of data, interpretivist will simply present the understanding of the situation as stated earlier, while the postpositivism and critical theory presents the meaning of the research data. Lastly and the most essential issue is examining the relationship between the research and real-life experience. Both the interpretive and postpositivist focus professional practice, this is how the study discussion can be applied by practitioners in real-life situations. Our discussion topic is based on a real-life experience, how people interact with their families after spending some period in the prisons after committing crimes and how they feel when released.
In qualitative research, some frameworks are employed to lay foundations for interpretive and critical approaches. A common practice where these frameworks are applicable is choosing among many the one that would help answer the research questions comfortably. For this essay the research questions are: “1. how likely is recidivism for inmates that do not come home to families, 2. what is the divorce rate of ex-felons? And 3. How often do ex-felons seek therapy or counseling after being released from prison?” some of the frameworks that are used include the postpositivist approach, which seeks to find ideas being researched, develop a testable hypothesis, design a scientific study to gather quantitative data, and then analyze the data given. This method gives comprehensive data in numbers, but it is not suitable for qualitative research that does not use numbers. The second framework comprises moments for qualitative research, which involves traditional methods, modernist phases, blurred genres, the crisis of representation, which include the methods used by social scientists in the collection of data (Kroeze, 2012). These methods have been abandoned as they are outdated and they are applicable in the universe has decreased.
Additionally, the use of general frameworks for qualitative research, which includes a collection of concepts that guide research. These frameworks are based on interpretive perspectives and critical theories, whose basis points to analytical realism, seeking to make them compatible with both paradigms. Although this method addresses both approaches, it makes text contradictions and thus portraying different ideologies other than expected. Another framework that existed in the history of psychologists following their rejection of positivist and postpositivist approaches, is the phenomenological psychological model, and structuralism was put in practice. These frameworks are based on the assumption that psychological researches are carried the same way as those belonging to other disciplines of natural sciences (Willis, 2007). This method has been used in the last few decades and proves a success in providing descriptions of experiences in daily lives. Out of the listed methods, this method seems the best among the listed methods. The reason why this method is much suitable is that the research questions are based on individual experience after prison life. Lastly, the symbolic interactionism framework, which has been on the high rise in the 20th century, where sociologists use symbols to show a shared frame of meaning. This method is limited since it focuses on questions and research purposes not worth asking.
Validation and generalizations make the summary or conclusions of the qualitative research papers. The former aspects are determined by the methods to use in the entire research process. The latter includes all procedures and tools used in data collection and analysis, elimination of biases, selection of natural research contexts, and inclusion of induction and deduction methods. Moreover, the validity can either be internal if without it the research cannot be interpreted and external if it asks questions based on generalizability. Essays present the validity and generalization as the final section, consisting of law-like statements under another name (Willis, 2007). In postpositivism, research conclusions are generalizations that can be used by others. For interpretive research, the conclusions are assumed to be human or group behavior characterized by laws that can apply across many individuals. Thus conclusions under all circumstances should be contextual details, which form part of the background, which can be used by professionals to make decisions.
References
Kroeze, J. H. (2012). Interpretivism in IS–a postmodernist (or postpositivist?) knowledge theory.
Willis, J. (2007). History and foundations of interpretivist research. Foundations of qualitative research: Interpretive and critical approaches, 95-146.
Willis, J. W. (2007). General guidelines for qualitative research. Foundations of qualitative research: Interpretive and critical approaches, 185-227.
Willis, J. W., Jost, M., & Nilakanta, R. (2007). Foundations of qualitative research: Interpretive and critical approaches. Sage.
