Executive Summary
The research paper entails a research that was conducted by David Mellor to ascertain the experience of racism of by the Aboriginal Australians.
The research was contrary to the previous usual researches that dwelt more on perpetrators of racism rather than the people whom racism is inflicted upon. Non-probability sampling technique was used to identify the subject participants of the research. By interviewing participants, the researcher was able to categorize racism in four categories: 1) verbal 2) behavioral 3) discrimination 4) macro-level.
In his discussion, Mellor indicates that racism occurs on broad interactive system and since the social scientists had turned a deaf ear on the victims input in their analyses of racism, the knowledge of racism is deemed partial. The qualitative method of research was used in attaining and compiling the data of the research. Mellor indicates that the method of research was qualitative and hence it meant the results presentation should be descriptive (Mellor, 2003, P4)
Methodology used
The methodology used was qualitative research method. The research paper has incorporated a system of inquiry where a combination of interviews and documented reviews has been used to bring out the researcher’s comprehension of cultural and social phenomenon. Mellor indicates that the research method is qualitative; hence, the results should be represented in a descriptive manner (Mellor, 2003, P.4).
Creswell indicates that in qualitative approach, the researcher employs participatory knowledge claims, open-ended interviewing, and narrative design. Thus, in the study of an inquirer examining an issue concerning oppression of people, collection of stories from the people and use of a narrative approach is the approach to be used (Creswell, 2003, p 21)
In the case at hand, the researcher interviewed victims of oppression in a bid to hand the victims a chance to explain their experiences on racism. Mellor also indicates that the primary data of the investigation was retrieved from narratives that were collected through thorough interviews (Mellor, 2003, p 3)
Procedure: The inquirer used various means in the qualitative method to achieve the objective of the research in viewing racism at different angle, which included:
Use of past literatures
Mellor cites authors like Harrison, Jones, Lalonde, and Cameron who share the same sentiments as him that exclusion of experiences of the victims of racism in analyses results to partial accounts of racism (Mellor, 2003, p 2). This hence indicates the use of past literature.
Interviews
Mellor indicates that non-probability technique was used to select the participants that would take part in the interviews. He further elaborates that the interviews were open ended and conducted in the participants’ territory. The interviews were audio taped to give the participants a relaxed environment (Mellor, 2003, p 4).
Description
In the research case, the researcher describes the various forms of racism attained from the interviews. In the first category of racism, Mellor describes in detail in the sub category of name-calling of how the color (black) has been used to enhance racism (Mellor, 2003, p. 4).
Discussion
At the end of the research, Mellor tries to interpret the data acquire in the research by discussing it. Finding out that the data attained indicates that the racism victims experience is pervasive, Mellor tries to discuss this issue by indicating that the victims agree that it’s normal for non-Aborigines to have negative stereotypes (Mellor, 2003, p 10)
Why the method used
Sense of reality
Morse and Field indicate that qualitative analysis creates a sense of reality, gives a description, and explains the social world (Morse and Field, 1995, p 1). In the research case, Mellor describes of the social world of the Aborigines of Australia hence creating a sense of reality of the scenario of what it means to be an Aborigine in Australia.
Description
In qualitative analysis, one normally focuses in attaining an explanation of an observed phenomenon to develop a solid theory as the result of the research (Morse and Field, 1995, p 2). Mellor has developed a description of the various levels of racism towards the Aborigines of Australia.
Past researches
Morse and Field suggest that researchers in qualitative research start by exploring researches from the past and consider it suspicious (Morse and Field, 1995, p 2). In the qualitative research used by Mellor, he had the liberty of exploring previous researches, which he did. The case scenario criticizes the past researchers for dwelling more on the perpetrators of racism instead of the victims of racism.
Conclusion
The researcher concludes by indicating that racism is a hot topic in the political and social sectors. In normal scenarios racism begin as expression of attitude which later converts to unacceptable racist behaviors.
The categorization of racism creates a sense that indicates that racism is more acceptable than it once was; this is courtesy of interviewing perpetrators who provided vital information on the trepidations they have gone through over time. On interviewing the victims, racism is indicated as being ripe in the current world and in an advance manner.
Criticism of past research
Mellor suggest that the account of racism is distorted due to the past researches dwelling heavily on the perpetrators of racism instead of the victims of racism (Morse and Field, 1995, p 10).
Mellor also suggests that although the study of racism from the perpetrators’ perspective assures politically reducing of racism, the situation is contrary on the victims perspective (Mellor, 2003, p 11).
Alternative method
The alternative method that could be used in the current case scenario is quantitative method. In quantitative research, knowledge from day to day life and from previous research is developed into theory (Morse and Field, 1995, p 2).
In the case scenario at present, Mellor indicates of the previous knowledge acquired from past researches and the current knowledge gotten from interviews conducted. Quantitative method also involves use of positive claims from the past in developing claims, in addition to this there is use of survey and data collection (Creswell, 2003, p 18)
Justification of alternative method
The quantitative method is suitable because it involves both surveying and collection of data. Specific variables are also reduced in this method thus narrowing to the specific variables needed for the research. Creswell indicates that in quantitative method data is also collected followed by in-depth explanation of interviews (Creswell, 2003, p 17, 18).
The collection of data will provide a basis for proper understanding of the research as an in-depth explanation is also assured in this method. In quantitative research, attitudes are tested both before and after experimental treatment. The data and information collected is then analyzed statistically and using hypothesis testing (Creswell, 2003, p 18).
References
Creswell, W. J. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. Web.
Mellor, D. (2003). Contemporary Racism in Australia: The Experiences of Aborigines. (Attached material).
Morse, M. J. and Field, A. P. (1995). Qualitative research methods for health professionals. Web.