Chapter 3

Research Design and Methodology

Chapter 3 contains the research design and methodology

used in this study. It is made up of three parts: (1)

Purpose and Research Design of the Study, (2) Methods, and

(3) Process of Analyzing Data.

Part One, Purpose and Research Design of the Study,

restates the main problem and explains the research design

utilized in this data.

Part Two, Methods, discusses the participants involved

in the study, data gathering procedure, and data gathering

instruments.

Part Three, Process of Analyzing Data, describes the

procedure to be employed in the conduct of the study.

Purpose of the Study and Research Design

The primary purpose of this study is to gain an

empirically based understanding of the life work and lived

experiences of nursing aides that are currently employed at

Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in the City of Roxas, Province of

Capiz.

Moreover, this study is a qualitative research which

utilizes the case-study research design that are classified

into three categories: explanatory, descriptive and

exploratory. The researchers are willingly eager to know the

range of duties and responsibilities performed by nursing

aides, to understand their personal experiences all

throughout the years on their career, and to recognize the

importance of nursing aides in today’s society.

A qualitative research is a systematic subjective

approach used to describe life experiences and give them

meaning. Its goal is to earn insight and explore the depth,

richness, and complexity inherent in the phenomenon. It

emphasizes the importance of looking at variables in the

natural setting in which they are found. Interaction between

variables is important. Detailed data is gathered through

open-ended questions that provide direct quotations. The

interviewer is an integral part of the investigation (Jacob,

2010). This differs from the quantitative research which

attempts to gather data by objective methods to provide

information about relations, comparisons, predictions, and

attempts to remove the investigator from the investigation

(www.okstate.edu Retrieved February 2018).

Case study research is a methodology which can take

either a qualitative or quantitative approach. In the

qualitative approach, case study refers to the profundity

analysis of a single or small number of units. A case study

unit may include a single person, a group of people, an

organization or an institution. Some case study research may

involve the research of a series of cases. Case study

research ranges in its complexity from a simple,

illustrative descriptions of a solo event or occurrence to a

more complex analysis of a social situation over a period of

time and to the most complex approach which is an extended

case study which traces events involving the same actors

over a period of time enabling the analysis reflect changes

and adjustments (www.libweb.com Retrieved February 2018).

Case study research excels at bringing us to an

understanding of a complex issue or object and can extend

experience or add strength to what is already known through

previous research. Case studies emphasize detailed

contextual analysis of a limited number of events or

conditions and their relationships. In fact, researchers

have used the case study research method for many years

across a variety of disciplines. Social scientists, in

particular, have made wide use of this qualitative research

method to examine contemporary real-life situations and

provide the basis for the application of ideas and extension

of methods (Busha et al.).

According to Salmon (2017), the most significant

benefit of case studies is that they enable a holistic

review. A case study offers the opportunity for a researcher

to use a range of tools in one subject. This gives time and

space to build a detailed understanding of the topic,

establishing a sound platform from which to explore the

factors influencing the case study in greater detail. Salmon

also mentioned that case studies capture a range of

perspectives, as opposed to the single view of an individual

a researcher can acquire from a survey response or

interview. This gives an opportunity to gain a greater

understanding of the subject in hand and reduces the

potential for any bias, by diluting the agenda of a

particular individual.

Furthermore, the researchers will conduct an In-Depth

Interview (IDI), with prepared researcher-made questionnaire

to be asked, schedule to gather pertinent information

relevant to this study.

Methods

Participants

The participants of the study are only three (3)

nursing aides, regardless of gender and currently employed

at Capiz Emmanuel Hospital, Roxas Avenue, Roxas City, who

will be interviewed by the researchers. The participants of

the study will be selected by the researchers based on their

personal records believing that these participants have

enough knowledge and acquired sufficient skills on their

work and willing to share their daily and personal

experiences and insights as nursing aides.

Data Gathering Instruments

This study will utilize a researcher-made In-Depth

Interview (IDI) with a guided questionnaire which are

formulated so that the needed data would be substantiated.

The questions will address the general and specific

objectives of the study which will be focusing on the

experiences, opinions, feelings, knowledge and inputs of the

participants and will be open-ended for the respondents to

freely express themselves during the conduct of In-Depth

Interview (IDI).

Jamshed (2014), describes interviewing as the most

common format of data collection in case study qualitative

research. Added by Oakley (2014), qualitative interview is a

type of framework in which practices and standards are not

only recorded, but also achieved, challenged and as well as

reinforced as information is obtained.

In-Depth Interview (IDI) guide are useful qualitative

data collection technique that can be used for variety of

purposes, including needs assessment, program refinement,

issues identification, and strategic planning. It involves

direct one on one engagement with individual participants

the goal of conducting In-Depth Interview (IDI), is to

explore the respondent’s point of view, experiences,

motivation, feelings and perspective.

The researchers will assure that the language used in

questions are neutral and commonly understood concepts and

terminologies. Also, the researchers will avoid ambiguity

and will not use terms with double meaning and words that

are literally offensive.

Data-Gathering Procedures

The researchers will seek first an approval from the

office of the High School Principal of Filamer Christian

University to conduct the study. After which, a transmittal

letter will be given to the selected participants,

requesting permission to conduct the study. Upon the

acceptance of the letters and approval of their requests,

the researchers will start collecting and collating the data

necessary for the procedure. The researchers will meet the

participants and scheduled the focus group discussion and

in-depth interview, since the participants are busy doing

their everyday routines.

 In preparation for an interview, the researchers will

prepare the setting that are comfortable and not distractive

to the participants. Before the focus group discussion and

in-depth interview begin, the researchers will describe the

purpose of the process to the participants, address terms of

confidentiality, and explain who will get access to their

answers and how their answers will be analyzed. The

researchers will also clarify the type of interview to be

conducted and indicate how long the process will take. The

researchers will also seek for a permission to record the

interview. Lastly, the researchers will ask the participants

if they have any questions, clarifications or suggestions

before starting the discussion and interview process and

make sure to address those concerns.

During the focus group discussion and in-depth

interview, the researchers will ask one question at a time,

guided by the questions prepared by the researchers ahead of

time. The researchers must attempt to remain as neutral and

polite as possible, encourage participants to be more

participative and render the best capabilities not to lose

control of the discussion and interview.

Immediately after the procedure, the researchers will

inform the participants how to get in touch with them later

if they want to. Then the researchers will leave the

participants with thanksgiving.

Among other methods that will be used to gather the

necessary data are the open-minded personal interview,

actual visits on the hospital, taking pictures and videos,

and observation to investigate the feature and details

needed for the findings of the study.

As soon as In-Depth Interview (IDI) will be done,

transcription, coding and thematic analysis will follow. The

researchers will undergo theoretical modeling in order to

perform content analysis. Coding will perform in order to

identify patterns and themes.

Process of Analyzing Data

This study will be used the qualitative – case study,

no statistical tools are employ in this study since this is

a qualitative research. Case study research excels at

bringing us to an understanding of a complex issue or object

and can extend experience or add strength to what is already

known through previous research. Case studies emphasize

detailed contextual analysis of a limited number of events

or conditions and their relationships. The steps will be

used as a process in analyzing and interpreting the data

gathered by the researchers that are based from Modified Van

Kaam Analysis (Olivia, 2017).

Thematic analysis is a qualitative data analysis

method that involves reading through a data set (such as

transcripts from in depth interviews or focus groups), and

identifying patterns in meaning across the data to derive

themes. Thematic analysis involves an active process of

reflexivity, where a researcher’s subjective experience

plays a central role in meaning making from data.

Thematic analysis is a method of analyzing qualitative

data. It is usually applied to a set of texts, such as an

interview or transcripts. The researchers closely examines

the data to identify common themes – topics, ideas and

patterns of meaning that come up repeatedly.

There are various approaches to conducting thematic

analysis, but the most common form follows a six-step

process: familiarization, coding, generating themes,

reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing

up. Following this process can also help you

avoid confirmation bias when formulating your analysis.