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Methodological Issues: Approaches, Pitfalls and Solutions

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Communicating Across Cultures and Languages in the Health Care Setting

Part of the book series: Communicating in Professions and Organizations ((PSPOD))

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Abstract

This chapter describes the methods of the study and some challenges and solutions as well as their potential future application in the intercultural context. The choice of a qualitative research paradigm is explained and illustrated in detail, and some central methodologies are considered useful in capturing communication dynamics across cultures. The notion of implementation research is discussed, and the background principles of relevance, rigour and responsibility are described. A description of participatory action research is offered, and various methods are explained and illustrated, including ethnography, interviews, narratives and focus groups. Some cautionary axioms are posed and some suggestions are made for the management of language diversity in research, including data collection, issues of translation, transcription and analysis. Some guidelines are proposed for the protection of vulnerable individuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Communication Research Unit, School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

    Claire Penn & Jennifer Watermeyer

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  1. Claire Penn
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  2. Jennifer Watermeyer
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Penn, C., Watermeyer, J. (2018). Methodological Issues: Approaches, Pitfalls and Solutions. In: Communicating Across Cultures and Languages in the Health Care Setting. Communicating in Professions and Organizations. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58100-6_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-58100-6_3

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