PROPOSALS FOR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

After generating data through qualitative research methods, the researcher will embark on the process of data presentation and analysis. This is an important part of any research and in qualitative research, leads to the formation of grounded theory. Cohen et al., (op. cit.)

72 define qualitative data analysis as accounting for and explaining the data so that it makes sense and agree with the participants understanding of the situation. In the process of data analysis, the researcher notes emerging patterns, themes categories and even similarities which are the building blocks for the development of grounded theory. Qualitative data can be interpreted in many ways. This in itself can make interpretation a mammoth task while at the same time gives the advantage of detail. The various interpretations can be used for the purpose of triangulation.

Cohen et al., (op.cit.) argue that due to the many ways of interpreting data, the researcher should interpret and analyse the data in a way that the data fits the purpose for which it was collected. They note that research data can be analysed for many purposes such as the need to describe, to discover similarities, to generate themes and to understand individuals or groups (Cohen. et al, ibid). For this research, the researcher analysed data qualitatively in order to understand the successes and challenges in the use of the phenomenological method on the participants (as a group and as individuals) and its impact on their attitudes on A.Rs and their knowledge levels of the concepts studied.

One of the main advantages of qualitative data analysis is its ability to combine data analysis and interpretation “ often by merging of data collection with data analysis” (Gibbs, 2007:3 cited in Cohen, et al., ibid) “in an interactive, back- and –forth process” (Teddlie &Tashakkori, 2009:251 cited in Cohen, et al., ibid). For this research, the researcher analysed and interpreted data simultaneously and in a descriptive way. Through the insights of phenomenology of religion and the case study research design, the researcher sought to do justice to the phenomena.

Verbatim quotations, phrases, gestures and other forms of non verbal communication will be presented, analysed and interpreted in order to retain the flavour of the original data. The researcher will begin to analyse data as soon as it becomes available, rather than to wait for the data collection process to be completed. Miles and Huberman, (1984) cited in Cohen et al., (ibid) correctly note that analysing data early minimises the problem of data overload and allows for “progressive focusing” and the selection of main issues or themes.

73 Despite its advantage of detail and thick descriptions, qualitative data analysis can lead to bias. Cohen et al.,( ibid) correctly observe that during analysis, the researcher selects, orders and sifts the data at his disposal in the light of its social context. This may lead to unrepresentative reporting which is not only unfair to the situation, but to the participants. Researchers tend to select and observe behaviours that suit the purpose of the research. Researchers are often influenced by some underlying theory in their consciousness which makes reporting in qualitative research subjective (Whyte, 1993:366-367 cited in Cohen et al., ibid). In order to minimise this problem of bias in reporting, the researcher remained steadfast in drawing analysis and interpretation from the data obtained thus letting the data speak for itself.

Giddens (1976) cited in Cohen et al., (ibid:540) notes that the bias in reporting arises from the double ‘hermeneutic process’ whereby the researcher interprets what the participants have already interpreted and attached meaning to it. To minimise bias, analysis should be both from inside and outside, that is meeting the emic and etic forms of analysis. If the analysis does not capture what the various participants believe, then the report may not be objective.

Ethical considerations are important in qualitative research. This is particularly so given that qualitative data analysis involves personal and confidential information which should be treated with confidentiality and privacy. This may require that participants are given pseudonyms and that nothing is done against their will. In this research, the researcher explained to the target population the nature, purpose and methodology of the research and asked for volunteers who became the sample. The names of the participants and other informants in this research are therefore not their real names. Other ethical principles of qualitative research have been discussed above and would also be followed.

3.5 CONCLUSION

This chapter discussed research design and methodology. Case study, which is a qualitative research design was chosen for this research and discussed in relation to phenomenology of religion. Research ethics in qualitative research design specifically in case study research were explained. Interviews, observations, practical teaching, fieldwork and focus group

74 discussions are the research methods that were to be used. Purposive sampling was chosen for this research and justified. Through the insights of literature reviewed on the discipline of research, this chapter also discovered affinity between and among the qualitative research design, case study and the phenomenological method. The chapter also proposed and discussed qualitative methods of data presentation and analysis.