Qualitative research

by | Feb 18, 2025 | Essays

 

Qualitative research often brings the researcher face-to-face with those being researched. Discuss what type of issues the researcher can face and how they might deal with or keep the issues from developing?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Qualitative research, by its very nature, often involves close interaction between the researcher and the individuals being studied. This proximity can lead to a variety of challenges that researchers need to be aware of and prepared to handle. Here are some key issues that can arise and strategies for addressing them:  

1. Ethical Considerations:

  • Informed consent: Ensuring participants fully understand the research purpose, their role, and their rights (including the right to withdraw) is paramount. Researchers must explain the study in clear, accessible language and obtain explicit consent.
  • Confidentiality and anonymity: Protecting the identities and sensitive information shared by participants is crucial. Researchers need to use pseudonyms, anonymize data, and store information securely.  

Qualitative research, by its very nature, often involves close interaction between the researcher and the individuals being studied. This proximity can lead to a variety of challenges that researchers need to be aware of and prepared to handle. Here are some key issues that can arise and strategies for addressing them:  

1. Ethical Considerations:

  • Informed consent: Ensuring participants fully understand the research purpose, their role, and their rights (including the right to withdraw) is paramount. Researchers must explain the study in clear, accessible language and obtain explicit consent.
  • Confidentiality and anonymity: Protecting the identities and sensitive information shared by participants is crucial. Researchers need to use pseudonyms, anonymize data, and store information securely.  
  • Power dynamics: Researchers hold a position of power, and this can influence participants’ responses. Researchers should be mindful of this, create a safe and respectful environment, and avoid leading questions.  
  • Potential for harm: Qualitative research can delve into sensitive topics, potentially triggering emotional distress or past trauma. Researchers should be prepared to offer support and resources if needed.  

How to address ethical issues:

  • Develop a detailed ethics protocol that is reviewed and approved by an institutional review board.
  • Prioritize participant well-being throughout the research process.
  • Be transparent about the research and its potential risks and benefits.
  • Build rapport with participants and establish trust.
  • Be flexible and willing to adapt the research design if ethical concerns arise.

2. Researcher Bias:

  • Subjectivity: Qualitative research involves interpretation, and researchers’ own biases can influence their analysis and conclusions.  
  • Emotional involvement: Close interaction with participants can lead to emotional connections, potentially affecting objectivity.  

How to minimize researcher bias:

  • Be reflexive and aware of your own assumptions and biases.
  • Use rigorous data analysis techniques, such as triangulation and member checking.
  • Keep detailed records of your observations and interpretations.
  • Seek feedback from other researchers or experts.

3. Practical Challenges:

  • Access to participants: Gaining access to certain populations or communities can be difficult.
  • Time constraints: Qualitative research can be time-consuming, requiring extensive data collection and analysis.  
  • Language barriers: If participants speak a different language, translation and interpretation can be complex.  
  • Cultural sensitivity: Researchers need to be aware of cultural norms and values to avoid misunderstandings or offense.  

How to deal with practical challenges:

  • Build relationships with gatekeepers or community leaders.
  • Be flexible with your data collection methods and schedule.
  • Work with interpreters or cultural consultants.
  • Conduct thorough background research on the cultural context.

4. Emotional Challenges for the Researcher:

  • Vicarious trauma: Researchers studying sensitive topics can experience emotional distress from hearing participants’ stories.  
  • Emotional labor: Building rapport and maintaining a supportive environment can be emotionally demanding.

How to manage emotional challenges:

  • Seek support from colleagues or mentors.
  • Engage in self-care practices, such as mindfulness or exercise.
  • Set boundaries and take breaks when needed.
  • Be aware of your own emotional responses and seek professional help if necessary.

Keeping issues from developing:

  • Thorough planning: Develop a well-defined research plan that addresses potential challenges.
  • Pilot testing: Conduct pilot interviews or focus groups to identify any issues early on.
  • Reflexivity: Regularly reflect on your role as a researcher and how it might be influencing the data.  
  • Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt your research design or methods if necessary.
  • Ethical considerations: Prioritize ethical principles throughout the research process.

By being aware of these potential issues and taking proactive steps to address them, researchers can conduct meaningful and ethical qualitative research that contributes valuable insights to our understanding of the world.

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