Methodology Design and Justification

Due to the level of complexity inherent in physiology, it is deemed impossible to directly measure arrays of quantities of interest to the researcher. In accordance to general practice in physiological and medical research, higher feasibility prevails in indirect as opposed to direct measures, hence prompting the need to infer the value of a quantity (Mays & Pope, 2013) . For instance, constraint measurement may restrict readings of a certain parameter to actual values, when what is needed is, in fact, a relational assessment between the parameter and certain affecting factors.

This research will adopt a qualitative methodology design, largely based on the nature of the research project, and the specific extent of applicability of qualitative compared to quantitative methods. The various aspects defining conventionalism in research methodology will thus be infused into the general project body illustrative of the sourcing, characterization, and assessment of data and trends. The scope of participation used in the assessment of diabetes patients with relation to blindness cases amongst them will be delimited to regional expanses, and to disease categorizations among the subjects. That is, diabetes type I patients are assessed differently from type II sufferers, in the correlative nature of eye problems or blindness to their conditions. The materials to be used for this research are mainly documented. Previous quantitative research findings, research postulations, theoretical discourses and published research findings and deductions shall be assessed intensively in this research. Research on parametric relationships between diabetes and retinal complication pathophysiology is not a novel indulgence, and thus, documented findings and experimentation relating to this topic are voluminous. The amount of data that singlehandedly informs this project merits sufficient groundwork to structure a strong thesis that reports on the levels of significance crosslinking diabetic occurrences and progressive retinopathy. A functional timeline shall be used to schedule events as follows:

This research has a specific inclination toward the pathophysiological and prognostic propulsions attributing diabetic retinopathy to hyperglycemia and hypertension. Other related visual incapacitations that researchers convene correlation with diabetic pathophysiology such as cataracts and diabetic macular edema are also assessed as part of an assistive platform for the thesis. The use of pseudo-documented research findings such as audio visual methods and visual profiles to assess correlation will also take imminence in this research docket.

Modelling forms a crucial part in deciding on the methodology to be used in physiological experimentation. Conventionally, qualitative research is associated to small scale research based on its subject shallowness relative to quantitative research methods. In so being, qualitative research infrequently qualifies as the selected method of research, coupled with the belief that it produces relatively fewer data. Generally, the technique of qualitative research does not aim at quantification of data but rather, it focuses on analyzing already collected data during research, and using it to establish plausible trends. Qualitative research is an umbrella concept encompassing a wide gamut of methods and theories. The element of qualitative research does not involve simple application of qualitative methods only, instead, it also provides a platform for perspective from the researcher’s point of view.

Understanding meanings and deducing interpretation from a set of data defines qualitative research from a technical point of view. For example, embarking on an analysis that assesses subject experiences of a certain illness, or the experiences obtained from a given form of healthcare service is all qualitative. Derivation of such forms of information requires that the researcher have an open mind regarding the analysis, be eager to discover, flexible and empathetic towards the subjects. Thus, the advanced form of qualitative research involves a combination of learning and adopting relevant methods and internalization of assumptive research strictures. Fundamentally, qualitative research is employed when the researcher seeks in-depth knowledge concerning pertinent issues affecting the subject population or habitat. It is an important method when a complex issue needs to be deciphered in healthcare as it addresses the ‘why’ question to derive a basis in which to explain the ‘how’.

Qualitative research in healthcare is important when the researcher seeks to understand emotive characterizations amongst research subjects who are victims of a particular medical condition. Expedient research meanings can only be accurately obtained if a researcher embarks on observation of subject interactions with their healthcare providers and assessing their experiences in those interactions. The nature of qualitative methodology is person-oriented and hence considers subjects as holistic human beings and not just as physical subjects (Holloway, 2005) . In fact, the first step toward conducting qualitative research is the formation of research questions that target the acquisition of social characteristics and behaviors via assessment of subject accounts and experiences. Qualitative research will always give higher priority to textual data – the use of inquiry methods to derive basis, rather than using actual figures. Textual data gives the researcher an upper hand in that it expressively details subject ideologies, attitudes, feelings, and proclivities. Furthermore, qualitative research is an extensive interaction technique, in that the researcher gets to familiarize cordially with the subject environment and attitude, and with this provision comes the concept of flexibility of inquiry (Holloway, 2005) .

References

Holloway, I. (2005). Qualitative research in health care. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Mays, N., & Pope, C. (. (2013). Qualitative research in health care. London: Blackwell Publishing.