S.TRUEMAN PhD THESIS 2016

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theory (Callon, 1986a; Law, 2007; Law & Callon, 1992) was then applied to analyse and explain how the actors and non-human actants within the social world and arenas assisted and coordinated remote general nurses in their delivery of remote mental healthcare. The various data analysis methods culminated in a unique, richer and thorough understanding of the substantive area of enquiry. Arising from the multiple methods of data analysis described above, the researcher consciously ensured that the data and results of each stage were convergent, in an attempt to understand the overall case. In conclusion, research aims should drive conscious methodological choices, rather than narrow and dogmatic preconceived approaches. As May (2011) stated, ‘the goal for many proponents of case studies … is to overcome dichotomies between generalizing and particularizing, quantitative and qualitative, deductive and inductive techniques’ (p. 226). As outlined above, ‘there are various advantages to both idiographic and nomothetic single case study analyses—notably the empirically-rich, context-specific, holistic accounts that they have to offer, and their contribution to theory-building’ (Willis, 2014). While the methods used do possess limitations, all research methods involve necessary trade-offs between their strengths and weaknesses. 10.7 Role of the Researcher Due to the subjective nature of qualitative inquiry, emic and etic perspectives are a significant issue for any researcher in situating themselves in relation to the study. Pike’s (1967) definition of the two terms is that an ‘etic viewpoint studies behaviour as from outside of a particular system’, while an ‘emic viewpoint results from studying behaviour as from inside the system’ (p. 37).

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