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Chapter 3
METHODOLOGY
Introduction
Qualitative research methodology uTas selected for this study to learn about the
cl!,n:~mics associated ~'ith the in~plementation of state mandated HF 2272 in three small lo~vs
school districts. Cres\i!ell ( 1994) states, "Qualitative research is a process of understanding
based on distinct methodological [saditions of inquiry that explore a social or human problem.
The researcher builds a complex. holistic picture. analyzes u.ords, reports detailed vienrs of
informants. and conducts the study in a natural setting (p. 15). A qualitati\,e approach
emphasizes the researcher's role as an "acti\,e" learner who tells the story from the
participant's \.ie\+.. rather than as an expert on the topic. The outcome is vie\\,ed as L( process
sather than a product (Cresu.el1. 1993).
Qualit~~ti\.c researchers so to natural settinss to attempt riiaking sense of phenomena
;11ic1 r tic 11ic:inin; ~j;tnicipant\ arriich to thohe phcnonlena. In these settings. mulriple source? of
II~!'OI~I~~;I~IOI~ and nar-r~lti\c approaclic\ arc ;~\.;~ilable to the researcher (Denzin & Lincoln.
I OC)4 ). .l.tic ~-c~\c;~r~.hcr \cr\.c\ ;I\ ~1;it;i c~~ll~ctor. LI\C~ inducti\.e anal!,sis. builds 112eanin: froni
IIW \\OIL!\ 01' [tic ~~;il.ric.il~ant\. ;111d II\C\ cxprt'\\i\.e I;in?~lagc to ilescsibe a pr-c~e>\ ~Cr?s\!.elI.
100s ).
..I n;ir~~r.;il~\t~i ;~ly~-o;iih \i ;is ~c1cctt.d for [hi\ \rudy becnuie qualit:~ti\e desi~n had a
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