Scientific Knowledge, Contributions and Methodology

Research Topic and Methodology Form—Unit 4

Use the research study approved for the Unit 2 assignment to complete this form.

1. Write the APA-formatted reference for your article.

Beighton, C., & Wills, J. (2017). Are parents identifying positive aspects to parenting their child with an intellectual disability or are they just coping? A qualitative exploration. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 21(4), 325-345.

2. Paste the persistent link for your article here.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1744629516656073#_i5

3. Identify and describe the main topic of the research article. Note: This is the overall, general topic the researchers are investigating. It is not the same thing as the purpose of the article.

The main topic of research is to establish the positive aspects of raising some children with intellectual disabilities.

The researchers had the interest of looking at and clarifying the nature of what parents perceived to be the positive features of raising a child with an intellectual disability. The researchers wanted to look at the various angles in which the parents gained positively in parenting the child with intellectual disability.

4. Identify the research problem the researchers investigated in the article. In one to two paragraphs, describe a few of the research findings the researchers report in their literature that are closely related to the research problem. Use appropriate citations for secondary sources.

The research problem that the researchers investigated is whether parents could identify any positive aspects in raising a child with an intellectual disability.

All parents disclosed how they had transformed and become tougher, stronger and more confident due to their strength; they had gained an inner strength they did not have before. Every parent said how their child had helped change their viewpoints about what was valuable in life and this made them less worldly, less selfish and more satisfied with life.

The parents said that they had gained greater sense of life and they could appreciate what they had in life. Some parents said that the condition of their child made them rejuvenate their spirituality since they maintained that the child had been brought to them for a purpose. Other parents said that their child had made them have more meaningful relationships in that they would know who their real friends were as well as strengthen their marriage as they shared the responsibility of parenting the child.

5. List the research question or questions the researchers used. Make sure these are formed as questions and that they are answerable using research methods. In one to two paragraphs, explain how answering these research questions would help solve the research problem identified in number 4.

The research question(s) used by the researchers to answer the research problem include;

· Can you narrate to me in what aspects your child has had a positive impact on you or your family?

· What makes these ‘positives’ meaningful for you?

In answering the first question, the parents would be able to tell the researchers the various aspects in which the parenting of the intellectually disabled child had positive impact on them. The various positive aspects of this would be increasing their spiritual sphere, making them stronger and more appreciative of their place in life and being content.

The answer to question two would help the researcher know how the positive aspects affect the parents. The parents went ahead to state how the ‘positives’ changed their perception of life and that they should not focus on material things but rather enjoy spending more time with the child and taking a day at a time.

6. Identify the methodology, either qualitative or quantitative, and the approach the researchers used to answer the research question or questions. Recall:

This is a qualitative study and therefore the methodology used is Qualitative. This can also be supported by the approach used which is case study since the research focuses only on children with intellectual disability. The researchers used face-to-face semi-structured interviews to allow parents to respond to guided questions.

7. Describe the findings in the literature review that are closely related to the research problem in the chosen research.

Findings in the literature review report that those taking care of elderly people with dementia and report positive aspects of caring were found to be less depressive, better self-reported health symptoms and higher caregiving competences. The positive aspects identified by parents refer to definite changes they have undergone. Positive reappraisal helps to view stressful concepts, ideas, events and emotions so as to find positive options. Positive reappraisal is an important determinant of positive thoughts of parents to children with intellectual disability.

8. Explain how the answers to the research question or questions will help the researchers solve the research problem in the chosen research.

The answers to the research questions will help the researchers to answer the research problem of what aspects in the lives of the parents to children with intellectual disabilities. The answers given to these questions will show the researchers that the spiritual, personal growth, priorities and relationship aspects of the parents have been positively influenced by parenting a child with intellectual disability. The research problem was to find out whether parents could identify positive aspect in parenting such a child. The answers to research questions answer this.

In one paragraph, explain how the methodology and approach allow the researchers to answer the research question or questions listed in number 5.

The qualitative methodology used will help the researcher to to analyze the information given in a natural setting and capture expressive information that would otherwise not be given in quantitative data. It is not possible to put the emotions of parents in numerical facts. The interviewing approach gives the parent a chance to express themselves freely, though guide by questions, and help researchers get a deeper understanding

Reference

Beighton, C., & Wills, J. (2017). Are parents identifying positive aspects to parenting their child with an intellectual disability or are they just coping? A qualitative exploration. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 21(4), 325-345.