Discussion : Reflections on Qualitative Research for Social Change

Introduction: Social Change

In the recent years, the pursuit for institutions, "practical researchers" and individuals to join in the crusade for social change has been remarkable; as many people around the world are reaching out to their neighborhoods as a member of the community to contribute to the common good through research, service, and educational opportunities (Yob & Brewer, 2015. p.2). Social change constitutes a change in the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society, community of people, or other social structures (Walden University, 2016). Social change can be at the micro scale (that positively shape values, attitudes and behaviors) or at the macro scale (that positively shape economies, religion and families).

The Essence of Social Change to a Walden Student

Yob & Brewer (2015) observed that the term "social change" has been defined and analyzed across the academic disciplines, reflecting the particular perspective of that discipline and its research agenda. Prominent among the definition of social change are the concepts of social justice and equity which have been significant in discussions of social change in education, psychology, and social and cultural studies (Curry-Stevens, 2007; Drury & Reicher, 2009; Moely, Furco, & Reed, 2008; andPeterson, 2009, as were cited in Yob & Brewer (2015). There are as many definitions for social change as we have social scientists.

However Hoff and Hickling-Hudson (2011), supporting the definition of Aloni (2002), provided the definition which places social change as "challenging trends of discrimination, exploitation, oppression, and subjugation displayed by groups who regard themselves as favored and, thus, take privileges for themselves and deprive other groups of the right to a dignified life" (p. 189). In this context, "change" as is used in the "social change" is defined here in positive and value-laden terms that relate more particularly to the agents of social change than to others they might want to change.

There is a great range and variation in the roles and positions that researchers takes up in research, as was observed by Ravitch & Carl (2016). Over the years (more than 45 years), Walden University has produced career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can apply what they've learned to effect positive social change. Walden is focused on inspiring and celebrating the remarkable achievements of community members who continue to make a difference by addressing challenges where they live, in their professions, and in the world around them. This was a major factor that attracted me to pursue a programme at Walden. In our sub-region, (the sub-Sahara Africa), addressing the issue of social change from the national perspective has not been as significant relative to the community and individual levels.

Areas of Qualitative Research where I would like to know more

Central to any research method (qualitative, quantitative or mixed), usually begins with an interest, problem, or question (Ravitch & Carl, 2016, p. 2). Firstly this course brought me to qualitative method of research and secondly exposed me to some of the key concepts and framework. Lessons were also gathered from the use of codes, themes, memos and categories (Laureate Education, 2016). However I will be more interested in the following:

To be more familiar with the terms, concepts (rigor, validity, credibility, trustworthiness, recursive and positivism) and the frameworks that constitute the cornerstone of qualitative research (Hammersley & Traianou, 2012; Ravitch & Carl, 2016).
Secondly I will be more keen in knowing how to strongly aligning my research questions with my research objectives.
At my data collection stage, I intend to use focus groups, hence I will be interested in acquiring more knowledge from this data collection method.

My Dissertation - Looking Ahead

The scope of the usage of qualitative research is broad and is used in many separate disciplines, it does not belong to any single discipline (Ravitch & Carl, 2016, p. 6). The wide scope in the usage of qualitative research enable researchers to apply this tool in exploring the social dimensions such as social values, cultures and attitudes which are the main ingredients for effecting positive social change.

The application of knowledge acquired from the lessons to effect positive social change is the core commitment of Walden in ensuring that graduate students can apply new skills, expand their networks, gain deeper knowledge, and consider a variety of perspectives in order to be in a better position to address practical problems at individual level (micro) as well as within their organizations, communities, and society at large (macro). My intended dissertation is intended at using qualitative research method to explore factors that ensure the growth and sustainability of micro, small and medium enterprises. The objective here is to contribute my quota to the creation of wealth and subsequently the reduction in poverty.

References

Hammersley, M., & Traianou, A. (2012). Ethics in qualitative research: Controversies and contexts. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). Introduction to coding [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). From content to coding [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2016). Visualizing data with Word or Excel [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Ravitch, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2016). Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Yob, I., & Brewer, P. (2015). Working toward the common good: An online university's perspectives on social change, 1-25.