Forman Christian College University

Research Methods II

Researcher Identity Memo

Submitted to: Dr. Elizabeth Schwaiger

By: Sijjal Shafique (231470956)

 Working on this topic is something that has always been at the back of my mind. We

have never lived in a joint family or in an extended family and I have always seen my

grandparents struggling to live with their other children. My dad has always been the source of

economic independence for my grandparents, but most of the time they refuse to take money

from him. My grandfather was a gardener and my grandmother is a homemaker. While my

grandfather himself was working, he was able to manage his own life, but, ever since he has

retired, and has been afflicted with Alzheimer‘s disease I have seen that his children do not take

care of him. He used to wander on the streets for hours with no one to bring him back home. I

remember once a kid from my neighbor brought my grandad home because he lost the way.

There have been multiple incidents where my grandad has been very sick and no one has taken

him to the hospital. Even at the moment, he lives in one of the smallest rooms in the house,

where most of my family members keep their storage items. When it is hot outside, he simple

puts his temporary bed on the roof and sleeps under the stars. A simple man with a simple wish;

for someone to take care of him.

A year ago, I was working with an NGO and one day they decided to take us to an old

age home. I remember meeting those people and how they made me realize the importance of

old age homes. Most of these people that I have witnessed have been exiled from their own

homes at the hands of their children. They are not there by their own choice, but because

circumstances made them go there. Some of us see old age homes as something taboo and as

something that should not exist. We believe that the children should take care of their parents.

However, that is not the case with most people and I believe it is time that people accept that it is

very important for old age homes to exist because not everyone has the mental capacity, finances

or a space to keep their parents, and these facilities should be available for everyone.
It has also been seen that countries around the world, especially Pakistan with the rising

population are economically suffering because of a lot of citizens that are age 60 and above, and

for them to have a sustain life at home has become very difficult. It should be an agenda of

Pakistan and countries like Pakistan to make sure that these people have a nice life to look

forward to. I have also noticed that once an elderly person loses their partner it becomes very

hard for them to survive on their own so going to an old age home also has this potential benefit

and they will have people around them who are of the same age and are going through the same

thing. This mutual understanding can actually help a person have a better mental well-being. So

for me personally I think that the study should be done in order for the people of Pakistan to see

that there’s nothing wrong with an old people home, and if it can actually be something useful

and something of advantage for the people in need. I believe if this issue is worked upon, surely

a solution can be found, and senior citizens will get a better chance at healthier time (both

mentally and physically). However if my research shows otherwise, the direction of my research

will change, as my personal biases are involved. I am looking at the predictions from a focal and

personal point of view.

Looking at the framework of this memo and my personal bias, I believe that a pragmatic

approach will be better suited for my research. I do not have an idea of what will work better in

finding the answers to the questions I have. It will enable me as researchers to engage with

multiple experiences of the same phenomena while at the same time directing the inquiry

towards practical, problem solving.