ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

                The use of alternative research methods is due to the uncertain relevance of western methodologies in studying social behavior unique to Filipino culture. Because of the strict and standardized procedures of research methods originated from the West, a more natural, indigenous yet scientific study of human behavior is trending in the field of psychological research.

                Alternative research method, along with its three kinds, are basically premised on the research principle that data are most valid when collected in natural setting and from naturally thinking, feeling and behaving participants of the study.

THREE ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH METHODS

1.       Participatory Research Method

Underlying principles

·         Direct benefit to a community instead of merely serving as a basis for an academic paper.

·         Participants’ great involvement on the whole research process

·         Community-based

·         People empowerment

On formulating research problem:

        In participatory research a problem is defined in terms of the people who feel and think that it is a problem. How they will solve it depends on how they perceive the problems themselves and on their resources that will help them solve it. It is the people themselves who develop their own theories and solutions to the problem.

        In this way, participatory research gives power to the “native” or to the person being “researched” to do the defining of knowledge. It is in contrast to traditional research where the researcher is the only one relied upon as the authority in the whole process.

Characteristics of a researcher needed

·         Ability to establish reciprocal relationship- treating the other person with respect as he likewise treats you with respect.

·         Ability to assume only relative superiority- if ever he feels that he is regarded as an authority of one with superior ability, he should sincerely accept that his own superiority is only relative

·         Ability to constantly evaluate what is happening-awareness of one’s observational skills, styles and biases. Has he developed more systematic techniques in recalling events, objects and people?

Characteristics of research method

·         Time element- there must be sufficient time allowed to the research process to deal with the complexity of the problem. Quality of the relationships between the subjects and the researchers take time to build.

·         Joint reflection- the researchers and the member of the community shares their reflection regarding the process

·         A-S-A-R sequence- the research process must be a continuous sequence of analysis, statement, action and reflection

Stages in Conducting the Research

Stage 1: Clarify purpose of the research- Develop a mission statement. Research partners could develop a mission statement that identifies desired outcomes, and the general strategy of getting there.

Stage 2: Identifying and involving diverse stakeholders in the research- Stakeholder participation means active involvement right from the conceptual stages of the research and includes identifying the research question, implementing and using the research. It goes far beyond just notifying or informing community members about the research.

Stage 3: Building Trust

Unlike conventional research processes, developing the research question is not the starting point of the PR process. Building trust is a necessary stage prior to developing the research question. Building community members trust in the research process which is so crucial in PR takes a lot of time and patience.

Stage 4: Building Common Understanding- This process, while time consuming, will ensure that all stakeholders have a set of agreed expectations from the research so that they can remain invested in the process.

Stage 5: Identify the Research Question or Questions- The list of issues or concerns developed during the stage of building a common understanding could be used at this stage. From that list, the research question would be chosen.

**PR can also use the qualitative and quantitative methods of conventional research, as PR is not a research method, but an approach that presents people as researchers. It emphasizes the people working together to achieve common understanding on research goals and activities (Krishnaswamy, 2004).

“Strategies used in participatory research (PR) focus on process and capacity building. In PR, the process of conducting research is as important as the research outcome. The PR process is intended not only to produce useful and sound information, but also to build capacity among the research participants. Capacity building occurs as community members identify research questions, carry out research activities, and in the process develop research skills and techniques. Community members learn to analyze information they have collected and decide how to use this information.”

-Krishnaswamy, 2004

STRENGTH	WEAKNESS
People-oriented, humanistic focus Researchers develop greater sensitivity The “researched” gains self-confidence and trust	Question of number and time Involving many people and developing authentic participation needs time to elicit, where the urgency to take steps may not be seen easily

2.  Indigenous Research Methods

This kind of method was being considered as alternative research technique in response to the growing dependence of Filipino researchers to Western-based research methods. The dependence on Western models and western-trained scholars has accounted for a growing discrepancy between what scholars write about and what the people actually do in real life(Church, 1986).

Virgilio Enriquez

Criticisms focused more on the uncritical acceptance and use of such theories and methods without carrying out even the slightest of “technical changes” (Danziger, 2006) to make them more culturally appropriate (thus, “angat-patong”), which often led to inaccuracies and distortionof the picture of the Filipino (Pe-Pua & Protacio-Marcelino, 2000).

2 WAYS OF INDIGENIZATION

a.       Indigenization from without- an attempt to make western or universal concepts and instruments usable in Philippine culture; includes translation of instruments, “revalidation” of instruments to Filipino norms

- however, this approach has been referred to as superficial    indigenization

-Pagsasakatutubo mula sa labas involves making something banyaga or foreign (e.g., framework, method, etc.) more meaningful to the local context.

**Example: Happiness of Filipino Farmers, theory of Martin Seligman’s Authentic Happiness Theory

b. Indigenization from within- the culture as the source of identifying constructs or concepts that are truly indigenous or culture specific.

-Pagpapalitaw ng nasa loob (indigenization from within) uses the culture as a source in searching for concepts and methods believed to be more significant to the Filipino and more appropriate in explaining Filipino behavior and experiences.

**Example: Studying the Concept of “Others” among Filipinos

Enriquez concluded that the original Filipino idea of “others” was inclusive. He wrote: “The English “others” is actually used in opposition to the “self,” and implies the recognition of the self as a separate entity. In contrast, kapwa is a recognition of a shared identity, an inner self shared with others.”

Example: The Concept of Pakikiramdam among the Ilocano Adults

Pakiramdam (sensitive awareness) is a “shared inner perception” that includes sensing cues (magaling makiramdam). It provides the unstated guide on how to act appropriately in social situations and may well be regarded as the cognitive style of Filipinos— a unique social skill that is intrinsic to the Filipino personhood.

                                     

Aspects of Indigenization

1.       Theoretical/conceptual-development of indigenous concepts or theoretical frameworks

(Example: Pagdadala Model of Decenteceo)

2.       Methodological- development of instruments and methods that are culturally appropriate

(Example: Panukat ng Katalinuhan Pilipino; Iskala ng Mananaliksik)

3.       Topical- topics under study are relevant to the concerns/experiences of the society/people

(Example: The Selfie Phenomenon among Filipino Adolescents)

On Methods

·         The choice of a research topic should be based on the participants’ interest, needs and goals

·         Appropriateness of methods to the participants over sophistication of the technique

·         Giving worth to own perceptions and hypotheses(observation of Pilipino psyche/behavior is more important than written references from books)

BASIC MODEL ACCORDING TO SANTIAGO AND ENRIQUEZ

1.       Iskala ng Mananaliksik- includes pagmamasid, pakikiramdam, pagtatanong-tanong, pagsubok, pagdalaw-dalaw, pagmamatyag, pagsusubaybay, pakikialam, pakikilahok, pakikisangkot

2.       Iskala ng PatutunghanngMananaliksik at Kalahok-  includes pakikitungo, pakikisalamuha, pakikilahok, pakikibagay, pakikisama, pakikipagpalagayang-loob, pakikisangkot, pakikiisa

3. Ethnographic Research Method

                This method was evolved primarily as a response to the requirement that rapport between the researcher and the “researched” is a must for a valid research to be successful. The term is widely used by anthropologists, social scientists and linguists.

                “The ethnographer lives in the field where he is conducting his research. It is an attempt to discover and describe how a society conceptualize and interpret their experiences. It is a systematic way of knowing how a people bring order, coherence and significance to the things they do, believe and think..”                            -Jocano, 1988

**Example: Frontrow or Reel Time of GMA NewsTV is a kind of film/video ethnography

Elements of Ethnographic Research Methods

Ethnography is a cyclic iterative process, wherein the ethnographer, moves back and forth between observations, interviewing, participating and interpretation. It includes the ff. techniques:

1.       Fieldwork- entails extended residence of the researcher in a field setting (e.g. community, village, institution), participating and observing the daily activities and behavior of the people under study.

2.       Participant Observation- the researcher shares as intimately as possible in the life and activities of the setting under study to develop an insider’s view of what is happening.

Features

·         The success of the researcher depends on his rapport with informants

·         Exploration of social phenomena is derived from direct observation as well as participation of activities

·         Rather than confirming or disconfirming a hypothesis, the description and analysis of the culture is more important

·         The focus of ethnographer is more on what kinds of information are shared and how these are articulated in behavior

·         Informants are self-selected

·         It is an effective approach of capturing the “native meanings” of what people say they do and what they actually do

SUGGESTED THEMES THAT ETHNOGRAPHER SHOULD LOOK INTO

1.       The language used by the actors in the setting.

2.       The interactive patterns between the actors in the setting.

3.       Discourse Content that appears to influence the actors in the setting.

4.       The presence of Actor Groups in the setting, or persons that can be differentiated by some

shared similarity, such as by sex, age, kinship, vocational or some other type of affiliation

Criticisms

·         Documents gathered often fail to indicate which are interpretative and which are factual

·         Observer-bias vs. objectivity

·         Pakapa-kapa technique is a preliminary research models and should be more systematized/scientific

·         Requires certain art, patience, sensitivity and humility on the part of the researcher

·         Again, longer time requirement is need

·         Pilipino terms used in the scales of Santiago and Enriquez are hard to distinguish

·         The methods require skillful handling to ensure scientific and ethical nature of research

·         Reliability and scientificity of ethnographic data have been in question

FAQ’s

Where did PAR originate?

Participatory research is an alternative philosophy of social research (and social life [vivéncia]) often associated with social transformation in the Third World. It has roots in liberation theology and neo Marxist approaches to community development (e.g., in Latin America) but also has rather liberal origins in human rights activism (e.g., in Asia).

How to distinguish PAR with other alternative research methods?

Three particular attributes are often used to distinguish participatory research from conventional research: shared ownership of research projects, community-based analysis of social problems, and an orientation toward community action.

What are some of the sources for indigenous concepts?

Wika or the native language offers a very rich source of indigenous concepts that can be studied validly; other sources may be literary materials, proverbs, sayings, native rituals and prayers, legends and colloquial expressions

Example on Literary Materials: The Indolence of Filipino by Jose Rizal

“The word indolence has been greatly misused in the sense of little love for work and lack of energy, while ridicule has concealed themisuse.. In the Philippines one's own and another's faults,the shortcomings of one, the misdeeds of another, are attributed to indolence”.

Example on Proverbs/Sayings: “Honor your father and mother and your life shall flourish here on earth”

Example on Colloquial Expression: “Pasaway: The Concept of Filipino’s Disruptive Behavior”

                                                            “Buraot: Exploring the Pros and Cons of Ilocano’s Frugality”

SOURCES

Clemente, J. (n.d.) An Empirical Analysis of Research Trends in the Philippine Journal of Psychology:

Implications for Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Kemmis, S. and Mctaggart, R. (n.d.) Participatory Action Research Communicative Action And The Public Sphere

Krishnaswamy, A. 2004. Participatory Research: Strategies and Tools. Practitioner: Newsletter of the National   Network of Forest Practitioners 22: 17-22.  

Prill-Brett,  J. nd. Qualitative Research Methods. College of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Baguio

Sevilla, C., Ochave, J., Punsalan, T., Regala, B. and Uriarte, G. 2009. Research Methods. Rex Bookstore

Whitehead,T. (2005) Basic Classical Ethnographic Research Methods Secondary Data Analysis, Fieldwork, Observation/Participant Observation, and Informal and Semi‑structured Interviewing. University of Maryland

***Some ideas may not originally came from the author.