Methodology

This week’s readings concentrate on methodology. It wouldn’t be useless to describe all different kind of methods. I’ll concentrate on the ones that might be useful to my research project.

Qualitative research would be the basis of my research as it provides human behavior and the reasons that govern human behavior. Qualitative research focuses on the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of decision making based on the analysis of documents and materials.

Case studies is an important research method, especially during the beginning of my investigation process:

Determine and define the research questions

Select the cases and determine data gathering and analysis techniques

Prepare to collect the data

Collect data in the field

Evaluate and analyze the data

Prepare the report

Action research might be appropriate to my research project. This method associates research and practice. Working on an immediate problematic situation requires the constant combination of theory and practice. I need to try out my theory (that the use of video and audio resources can give people a better understanding of foreign cultures) in a real situation where practitioners are University students.

Critical ethnography is a method based on cultural relativism. Cultural relativism is the idea that any belief or action must be judged in relation to its place and in the unique structure of the culture in which it occurs and in terms of the particular value system of that culture. To fully understand a foreign culture and to study a foreign language easily we must consider the relationship between knowledge, culture, society and action.

Advertisement