1. What was the overall qualitative design? (was it Grounded Theory, Case Study, Phenomenology, Narrative, or Ethnography?, please explain).
The overall qualitative design of the article, “The influence of Confucianism: a narrative study of Hong Kong teachers’ understanding and practices of school guidance and counselling” is Grounded Theory.
2. Why was this type of qualitative design selected for this study?
This type of qualitative design was selected for this study because although the methodology used is that of an unstructured interview, there is a core theoretical concept identified in analyzing the answers of the teachers. Specifically, the study relates Confucianism with the way the teachers counseled the students. With Grounded Theory design, the study will be better focused, unlike if it was not grounded on any core concept. It would have been difficult to analyze the methods used by the teachers in counseling if it did not revolve around a basic theory.
3. What was the problem statement?
The problem statement is what influences the teachers’ approaches in their guidance and counseling of students.4. What was the purpose of the study and what were the research questions (if stated)?
The study aims to find out how the guidance teachers view their experiences on school guidance. The questions in the interview focused on three aspects namely, what they think their goals for guiding students are, the kind of relationship they have with them and the approaches they implement in assisting students to change their attitudes and behaviours.5. What was the sample and sampling technique used?
The sample consists of 12 in-service teachers who are enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Education programme at the Hong Kong Institute of Education. The teachers have four to seven years teaching experience and were also involved in the counseling of students . The sampling technique used is not discussed in detail.6. What data collection techniques were employed?
The data collection technique that was employed is the use of unstructured interviews which were tape-recorded and transcribed so that it may be analyzed.7. What ethical issues might exist with this study? Why?
The ethical issues which exist in this study relates to the information given by the teachers with regards to the schools they work in and the anonymity of the students whom they have helped. It is therefore necessary that the teachers are assured of the confidentiality of the information that they share. If the research study cannot give this assurance, then the teachers might not be able to give honest answers; thus, affecting the findings of the study. The ethical principle that may be articulated in the study is the respect for communities, specifically the school communities where the teachers belong.8. Write a reflection
One finds the article very informative. One learned of the extensive influence of Confucianism in the area of guidance and counseling among the Hong Kong teachers. School administrators should appreciate the efforts of teachers in helping mold their students to become “perfect men or women”. One also realized the value of injecting cultural values and beliefs to approaches in counseling. Although western theories may have a great impact on the methods of counseling, one cannot discount the relevance of cultural values in the effectiveness of the counseling of teachers among their students who may be culturally diverse.
Works Cited
Family Health International. "Module 1 - Qualitative research methods overview." n.d. ccs.neu.edu. Web. 27 May 2013 <http://www.ccs.neu.edu/course/is4800sp12/resources/qualmethods.pdf>.
Hue, Ming-Tak. "The influence of Confucianism: a narrative study of Hong Kong teachers’ understanding and practices of school guidance and counselling." British Journal of Guidance & Counselling (2008): 303-316.
