communication- research method

INTRODUCTION

People develop perceptions about social and cultural believes exercised by others without referring to appropriate knowledge on the topic or investigating the matter. Cultural beliefs of individuals differ widely across the globe based on the society in which they nurture, the environment around them, the religious beliefs they harbor, the personal values and customs, family background, and many other factors. As globalization continues to bring people together from different cultures, countries and societies the comprehension of these social and cultural beliefs practiced by others becomes complicated. Due to lack of genuine information and communication the understanding of individuals about intercultural beliefs is guided by perceptions created from personal or false opinions developed through observation over time. The objective of this paper is to qualitatively analyze this issue of intercultural perceptions created among individuals, and to help develop a better understanding of how cultural beliefs are diverse. According to Lapan, Quartaroli & Riemer (2011), “… those who conduct qualitative research place much less emphasis on examining cause and effect …” (p.8) therefore we will be making use of contextual data to support our research. The research will also consider the role of proper means of communication and interaction used to connect and coordinate with others in an intercultural system for the exchange of knowledge about these sensitive issues. Any form of communication including interpersonal, intrapersonal, group, etc. can play a prominent role to help people understand how others behave within their cultures. It does not only help explain their actions and ideas but is also dominant in guiding the thoughts and feelings others possess about them.

RESEARCH ON INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION ISSUES

Our culture is a collection of ideas, beliefs, arts, skills, talents and other manifestations that are achieved by an intellectual individual or a group of individuals together that are part of the culture. The components associated with cultures are discussed as, “In reviewing the history of the conceptualization and measurement of “culture”, one quickly realizes that there is a wide-ranging and contradictory scholarly opinion about which values, norms, and beliefs should be measures to represent the concept …” (Straub & et. al, 2002, p.61). The perception others may develop about our culture is a mental impression that these individuals create using abilities to interpret, observe and understand things occurring around them at some point in time. These perceptions are urbanized often in this era of globalization when cultures interact with each other on similar ground frequently. The cultures communicate with other cultures in the vicinity and these instances and usually leave an impact on one another. This adds up to the list of factors that influence a culture and includes the impact of other cultures being exercised and the presence of other social groups in the same environment and how they communicate. For example, lately I observed a cultural ritual for one of my assignments where the participants discussed how the native Indian culture they exercise has been influenced by the American culture after living here for more than a decade. The norms and rituals they follow are still the same but are somehow varied given the situation and conditions in which they are practiced. According to Becker (2017) this is referred to as an influence of dominant cultures over others, “Cultural moments such as this one is a stark reminder that for some, empathetic and sensitive communication unnecessarily detracts from the power of the dominant culture” (p.1127).

The communication among cultures practiced in the same environment is no doubt followed by some problems and hurdles appearing naturally based on the difference in the contextual comprehension of each. Similar problems occur while individuals exercising these cultures interact with each other and develop perceptions based on the social, religious, cultural, ethnic and educational backgrounds from which they belong. In my opinion, communication plays a significant role in assisting human beings to comprehend and understand the cultural beliefs that others hold. However, it is also necessary that the communication must take place is a neutral environment where people are willing to listen and discuss issues with an open mind. When I came to the United States for my education, I underwent a huge cultural change moving from one part of the world to another. However, it has been quite an experience since it gave me an opportunity to learn and interact with different people belonging to different cultures. By getting a chance to understand their cultural beliefs and ideas, and to discuss with them the beliefs of the Arab culture in a diversified environment I have learned and experience many new and different things. In an attempt to qualitatively analyze these issues of intercultural communication and individual perspectives, we need to first identify a method through which research can be conducted to gather substantial data and information. As mentioned in the textbook Lapan & et. el. (2011), “Qualitative research may take a range of forms, including true experiments, quasi – experiments (with nonrandom sampling), correlation studies and survey research” (p.9).

QUALITATIVE RESEARCH APPROACH

“Qualitative research, however, emphasizes texts over numbers” (Lapan & et.al, 2011, p.9) where the experiences, opinions, concepts and ideas of the samples identified in the problem hold more value than the numerical figures present in the picture. Since the topic of our research involve intercultural communication, our sample size for the qualitative research will focus on people who are part of a diversified infrastructure. Individuals who have either experienced holding perceptions in the past or are currently facing such issues where they have developed within them an opinion based on observation of actions and deeds of others belonging to different cultures. Sometimes we lack the ability to comprehend the situation, for what we see and hear is so much to digest that we find it difficult to stress over the how and why present in the situation. Our opinion is created solely on what we perceive about the incidents or happening rather than the reasons that led to those occurrences. For example, some individuals in the world might find it difficult to understand how cultures can promote the concepts of endogamy or polygamy, while others find it difficult to grasp notions of arranged or family marriages. With no prior information on the matter and lack of communication, people develop perceptions on the basis of what they hear and observe rather than communicating with these groups to understand a clear picture of the beliefs they observe. Similarly, some cultures are more accepting towards transgender issues than others, for they accept these notions or are simply unconcerned about them. Others dwelling in the same society belonging to different cultures might have a diversified opinion on the topic followed from their own reasoning and understanding. Chapman-Novakofski (2017) gives an example of how cultures differ in nutritious intakes as, “… how we measure food intake also can differ among cultures” (p.800). Even understanding the kind of food that people eat in different cultures can be perceived by others as questionable. The type and kind of nutrition differs in each culture, some might not prefer consuming meat while for others a meal maybe incomplete without it. According to the textbook, “… is an approach that enables researchers to explore in details social and organizational characteristics and individual behaviors and their meanings” (Lapan & et. el., 2011, p.60), we will be considering three major qualitative research dimensions in this part of the paper to judge the best means for carrying out the actual research.

· CASE APPROACH: In a qualitative research carried out using this approach we need to relate the research domain actual cases or scenarios that have taken place in the past. We will be selecting from the cases that are most relevant to our case of study depending upon certain criteria’s. In my opinion this approach is not the most feasible one for our research topic and it may not be as advisable for use since a case limits us to a particular situation or scenarios. As the textbook quotes with regard to program case studies as, “… identifying the specific program to be investigated followed y the selection of specific aspects that will be thoroughly studied” (Lapan & et. el., 2011, p.245). However, we can make use of cases as a means to study specific angle of the problems faced by others and strategies they have used to overcome these problems of perceptions and discernment. For example, if perceptions have hindered intercultural communication within an organization we can study cases of other organizations in similar situations to gain better insight. Since the problem we are referring to have a considerably broader scope, cases might restrict research in all possible dimension of the issue, “Case study research involve the exploration of something with clear limits or boundaries” (Lapan & et. el., 2011, p.245). Also, we are not referring to any complex phenomena, event or issue in this case. It is a simple situation that needs to be dealt with by exercising consideration, empathy and humility. The research may not be as focused and directed since we will be taking in account the observations of common individuals and how they comprehend to these observations in the absence of any solid information. Lapan refers to these tactics used in the approach as, “Focusing, limiting, or bounding case study efforts allows the researcher to use valuable investigative time for in – depth observations that produce rich and detailed case description” (p.246).