• Consumer research, interpretive paradigms and methodological ambiguities

      Goulding, Christina (MCB UP Ltd, 1999)
      The 1980s and 1990s have witnessed a growing application of qualitative methods, particularly in the study of consumer behaviour. This has led to some division between researchers on the basis of methodological orientation, or a positivist/interpretivist split. Much of the criticism regarding qualitative research centres on issues of clarity, methodological transgressions, and the mixing of methods without clear justification and explication of “why” and “how”. Offers the example of phenomenology and grounded theory, two methods which are often treated as one. Compares and contrasts them in relation to underpinning philosophies, procedures for sampling, data collection and techniques for analysis. Suggests that methods are “personal” and that researcher introspection and the philosophical basis of a given methodology should form the starting-point for enquiry.
    • Grounded Theory: some reflections on paradigm, procedures and misconceptions

      Goulding, Christina (University of Wolverhampton, 1999-06)
      There has been ongoing debate within the social sciences over the nature of epistemological claims made by both positivist and interpretivist researchers. Within the interpretivist paradigm there are numerous methodologies for constructing knowledge, each of which have their own underlying philosophies, practices, and methods of interpretation. Grounded theory is one such methodology. However, it is a methodology which is sometimes perceived as pseudo positivistic, defiling the canons of humanistic research which emphasises the subjective experience of the other. This paper discusses grounded theory, the missing methodology on the interpretivist agenda, and argues that it is an extension of the methods used by the symbolic interactionists. It discusses the underlying philosophy of the methodology and proceeds to present the key concepts associated with its application. Finally,the paper reviews and addresses some of the major criticisms of grounded theory in order to explicate it as a humanistic and interpretivist method of enquiry. This paper is an early version of a chapter for a proposed book on grounded theory. It extends the discussion of grounded theory published in two academic papers by the author: Goulding, C. (1998) Grounded Theory: the missing methodology on the interpretivist agenda Qualitative Market Research: an international journal 1(1) Goulding, C. (forthcoming) Consumer Research, Interpretive Paradigms, and Methodological Ambiguities European Journal of Marketing 33(7/8)
    • Grounded theory: the missing methodology on the interpretivist agenda

      Goulding, Christina (MCB UP Ltd, 1998)
      There has been considerable discussion in recent years over the application of interpretive methodologies such as phenomenology, hermeneutics, and semiotics within the field of marketing research, particularly consumer behaviour. However, while these approaches have inspired a wealth of publications, scant attention has been paid to the potential of grounded theory. This is attributed largely to misconceptions regarding both the principles of the method and the two distinct approaches associated with the original authors, Glaser and Strauss (1967). The paper outlines the development of the method and explicates the philosophy underpinning its procedures. Finally, it suggests that grounded theory if applied in its true sense has scope and potential for the study of consumer behaviour and consumption experiences given its emphasis on context, theoretical emergence, and the social construction of realities.
    • Outsourcing the Risk Analysis Function in 'Private Finance Initiative' Projects

      Akintoye, Akintola; Beck, Matthias; Hardcastle, Cliff; Chinyio, Ezekiel A.; Asenova, Darinka (University of Salford, 2003)
      The optimisation of risk transfer and risk management in ‘Private Finance Initiative’ (PFI) projects involves the accurate assessment of these risks. The manner in which risks are analysed and the extent, to which this function is outsourced in PFI projects, is examined in this article. The discussions are informed by an investigation conducted at Glasgow Caledonian University. Literature was reviewed, upon which a survey instrument was developed. A qualitative methodology was adopted, and involved a total of 90 interviews with diverse PFI participants in the UK. The ‘AtlasTi’ software was utilised in the analysis of data. The interviews revealed that the bulk of the risk analysis function in PFI is usually done in-house, while a minor part is often outsourced to technical, legal and financial cum insurance experts. Other disciplines consulted, albeit occasionally, include traffic engineering, environmental science, planning and surveying. The objective is to outsource those aspects where in-house expertise is deficient. When tasked with risk analysis, consultants were adjudged to usually render a good job.
    • The consumption of tattoos and tattooing : the body as permanent text

      Goulding, Christina; Follett, John Alan (University of Wolverhampton, 2009)
      In this thesis, I investigate permanence through exploring tattoo consumption in terms of the social-historical context of being tattooed. The analysis is based on four years of data collection adopting a grounded theory approach. I present an analysis of how permanence occurs in terms of tattoo consumption, with particular interest in the physical permanence in relation to identity creation. This is set within the framework of Consumer Culture Theory (CCT). The reason for this is twofold, firstly to illustrate the ability of using tattooing as an instrument to investigate permanence within CCT. Secondly, to show the lack of use of the socio-historical perspective within such an investigation, and to show that the use of such data is a valid strategy and which adds depth and context to such an investigation. Furthermore, I suggest that tattoo consumption has become a site of embodied expression that is bounded by physicality, and permanence. I present a typology of tattooed consumers based on levels of commitment and explore in depth two main categories, physicality, and, permanence. I find that the physical permanence is shown through the commitment to tattoo usage. Its permanent nature determines the tattoo as an act of consumption that is dualistic in nature; both accepted, and yet equally rejected, which is seen within the consumers‘ negotiation of its use, in terms of mimicry and placement. Being tattooed represents a form of consumption that contravenes certain rules and norms of society, and yet at the same time is the basis for community membership and adherence to a set of sub-cultural norms and values.
    • Towards the light at the end of the tunnel: a study into the experiences of stress and coping in counselling and clinical trainees and their partners

      Parmar, Jessica (2016)
      This research aimed to provide an understanding into the experiences of counselling and clinical doctoral training on trainees and their partners. It was hoped that this would increase understanding would provide support for couples impacted by the doctoral programmes in managing the changes induced and maintaining relationship satisfaction. A mixed methods design was chosen to provide an empirical view of stress, dyadic coping and relationship satisfaction of trainees. It adopted a survey design and an analysis of the processes trainees and partners experience throughout the course as a couple through using a Grounded Theory approach. In total 50 trainees in clinical and counselling psychology took part in the survey study that measured perceived stress, dyadic coping and their relationship satisfaction. Data was analysed using regression analysis to explore relationships between the three constructs. The analysis revealed similarities between clinical and counselling trainees in terms of perceived stress, coping and relationship satisfaction. Regression analysis suggested trainees’ relationship satisfaction was predicted by number of children, communication of stress, length of relationship and length of time cohabiting. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with counselling doctoral trainees and partners. The interviews were transcribed and analysed in accordance with a constructivist version of grounded theory as developed by Charmaz (2006). The grounded theory study revealed a central storyline of 'a journey towards the light at the end of the tunnel' with the social process of striving for equilibrium. This referred to the journey participants experienced whilst the trainee was on the course and highlighted a process as trainees and partners moved through as they developed and adapted to their new lives. The idea of the course being temporary was a thread through the model as participants worked through the stresses whilst focusing on the finishing line at the end of the course. Conflicts arose with participants with children who appeared to undergo a strengthened version of the model. This research provided implications for further specialised support for trainees and partners undergoing the doctoral programmes. It hoped to highlight the difficulties and strengths couples endure on the programme and provides implications for universities and personal therapists to offer systemic support for couples to manage the processes together, making the adjustment process more seamless and meaningful to the couple.
    • Understanding first year undergraduate achievement in a post-1992 university science department

      Cohn, Eleanor; Cureton, Debra; Galbraith, Victoria; Galbraith, Niall; Luan, Yun (University of Wolverhampton, 2010-07)
      The purpose of this study was to address the under-researched theme of achievement among students in a post 1992 university in the UK. The findings are based on a case study of a cohort of first year (FY) undergraduates in a science department in a post 1992 university. Three key research approaches were deployed within this case study, namely, grounded theory, phenomenography and survey research. These three distinctive approaches have been framed within a broad interpretivist perspective in which subjectivity is managed through researcher positionality and the triangulation of data where appropriate. The research findings demonstrate that the point of registration at higher education (HE) institutions does not constitute a successful student because such a constitution is a process of becoming, involving complex meaning-making processes over time. These processes are characterised by a movement from 'outsider and potential achiever' to 'insider and reflexive achiever'. Important phases within this movement are those of: attending; being engaged and solving self-identified difficulties. In the light of the evidence gathered and the review of the existing scholarship, a detailed exploration and theorisation of these phases is offered. The preoccupation with students who fail in some way has led to a lack of research into those who succeed. This research has sought to overcome this lack by exploring the active meaning-making processes that lead undergraduates to achieve. A dynamic is identified between students' reflexive management of their FY experience and aspirations to achieve and the institutional context. This dynamic is also held to undermine the notion of students as customers awaiting satisfaction, suggesting instead that students be regarded as reflexive actors in the shaping of undergraduate achievement. This study presents a novel alternative to the prevalent deficit model in the relevant research which tends to treat students as passive bearers of diverse levels of readiness for undergraduate study. It also offers an alternative to the prevailing research on why students fail to progress or stay at university.
    • Witnessing violence: What are the experiences of mental health nurses?

      Fuller, Pauline Penelope; Jeffery, David Bramwell (RCN Publishing Company Ltd, 2016-10-05)
      British psychiatric nurses are ten times more likely to be assaulted than general nurses. Research on this is increasing but evidence on the effects of violence on staff witnesses is lacking. Ten semi-structured interviews with witnesses were conducted. Analysis demonstrated in addition to the known effects on those who experience assault: anger, fear and guilt; they were left seeking resolution on five identified themes relating to personal and professional conflict. They were drawn towards informal forums for support, reinforcing perceptions of management as uncaring. Further research into psychiatric nurses’ lived experience of debrief and support in the workplace is needed.