The Perception of Impact of Social Support on Breast Cancer Patients as they go through Treatments in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria

By

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY1

Introduction1

Research design1

Data collection3

Secondary Research Methods3

Interviews3

Sources for searching literature4

Reliability and validity4

Validity5

Using keywords5

Time table5

Gantt chart5

Summary and Transition6

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION7

Interview analysis7

Discussion9

Availability of social support9

Received social support9

Helpful social support10

Unhelpful Social Support11

Lack of Social Support12

Sources of Support12

The Role of the Family in Treatment13

Social Support from African/ Nigerian Extended Families15

Social support and health19

Downside of social support20

Health anxiety and social support21

Social Support and Cancer22

Positive Social Interaction24

Quality of life and Breast Cancer patients26

Synthesis of the Findings27

Social Support and African Americans: A Critique28

REFERENCES32

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY

Introduction

This chapter outlines the methodology used in the present study to address the research questions proposed in chapter I. Presented first is the proposed design, followed by a detailed discussion of the participants, data collection procedures, and instruments.

Research design

In this research study the qualitative secondary research study was employed. The qualitative approach deeply observes human behavior and the influences that impact contextual variables. Qualitative research is a set of interpretive activities that are difficult to clearly define. Researchers employ multiple theoretical paradigms claiming use of qualitative research methods and strategies because it is applicable across various disciplines. Therefore, it requires a data collection instrument that is sensitive to underlying meaning when gathering and interpreting data. Individuals are best suited for this task because to adequately perform qualitative research through interviews, observations, and analysis of behaviour they are able to provide insight and detail into research tasks as well as interviewee tasks performed. Qualitative research typically takes place in a setting with which the participant is familiar and involves an attempt to add greater understanding to phenomena. Qualitative researchers use inductive meaning to bring clarity to complex situations and take into account different worldviews and the perceptions that create different realities for different people.

Qualitative researchers seek theories through inductive reasoning and usually take a constructivist worldview approach, which involves seeking to develop narrative research that contributes to a greater understanding. Qualitative design includes the underlying subjective realities that help construct worldviews. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was utilized in the current study.

Phenomenological researchers aim to understand the individual as well as the environment because individuals and the environment are typically viewed as one embodiment. Realities are subjective in phenomenological research, meaning they vary depending upon the circumstance and experiences of the participants. Phenomenologist seeks the true essence of lived experience and attempt to elucidate the phenomena of behaviour in their environment. The current study involved an attempt to understand the lived, professional experiences of virtual team members. The only way to understand these aspects and perspectives is through phenomenological research. As such, a phenomenological approach was used to capture these elements. Qualitative research provides a foundation by exploring phenomena. The focus of quantitative research is statistics and data, but thorough research often needs to go beyond the data to understand the elements that contribute to numbers. Qualitative research creates ideas that develop quantitative research and ...