Qualitative methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Qualitative methods - Essay Example 2013). In order to avoid any probable deviation this research method focuses on limited sample or delimitating the research area. In the end of qualitative research certain suggestions are also given which are optional and general. Theory is taken to explore solution of hypothesis and data is collected. Data is collected from two sources i.e. primary and secondary. The primary methods are the interview, group discussion, observation, case study, different texts, visual images etc. The secondary methods are consultation of reference material, certain pictures related to focus data and visiting different libraries. Advantages 1. The basic question of a human is† why† and it is satisfied here in this research method. 2. It is easy to conduct as it does not require too much money. 3. It’s more focused with delimitation of sample. Disadvantages 1. Its limited to just a particular chosen sample so what applies to one sample cannot be applied to other sample of same popul ation. 2. It does not give statistics of a fact. Participant observation   It is an approach to collect data in qualitative research. This technique is used for disciplines as sociology, psychology human geography etc.  Often it comes close to certain group or parties like a group of a certain occupation, culture or religion and their behavior at a given time. It is of four types. How it is Useful This method is used to observe informal behavior of participant. It gives a better understanding to the researcher when he or she himself/herself gets involve practically. Different approaches are used as Informal interviews, direct  observing the sample, group participation and discussion,  tracing the personal history, derived results from these approaches. It may take time as months till years to derive results (Profile, 2012). Advantages 1. It’s valid and accepted more because it is an observation. 2. It brings social grooming on the part of observer and he/she gets to l earn how to interact in a better way. Disadvantages 1. It’s difficult to remain objective while observation because a researcher may get biased or participant can have influence on him. 2. A participant may behave artificially so it may give fake observation. 3. It takes too much time. Interview Checklist Interview Checklist is dos and don’ts of an interview. It is a formal criteria to judge an interview if it goes successful or not. Certain factors as appearance, application, personality, attitude, response, body language impressions are counted. Two types of interview are taken normally i.e. structured and less structured. How it is Useful It is useful to conduct a good interview. It gives an understanding of whole environment of interview and the particular behavior of respondent and interviewer. It gives the key to successful interview. Advantages Depending upon the types we discuss advantages as follows Structured Interview 1. It has a vast sample, so it’s beneficial. 2. Questions are arranged in sequence to

Historical Analysis Of Leather In India Research Paper

Historical Analysis Of Leather In India - Research Paper Example Sankar, an eminent expert on leather technology at the Oxford University, says that the industry releases harmful effluents and chemicals that pollute rivers and other water bodies (86). Moreover, much of this waste is released in a solid form that cannot be absorbed or disposed off effectively and is therefore contributing to the pollution of the environment. The Indian leather industry is composed of both established manufacturers as well as thousands of cottage industries engaged in the production of various types of leather. In 2010, the industry processed over 65 million animal hides and over 160 million skins to produce leather of various types and quality (Kaul 108). In fact, the latter constitute over three-fifths of the total industrial output. While leather production has existed in India for thousands of years, the modern practice of leather production were introduced by the British rules in the mid-nineteenth century. Over 60% of the industry’s output constitutes h ides and skins. Other leather products manufactured by these industries include leather garments, suitcases, belts and shoes (Kaul 95). Sawhney, a noted professor on Leather Technology at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad, India states that there are more than 2300 tanneries in the country with a combined turnover of $7.5 billion and are primarily concentrated in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and West Bengal (109). The industry exports most of its produce mainly to the western countries, Japan and Australia. The following figure shows the growth of the leather industry in India over the last 50 years. The information in this graphic is of importance as it highlights the gradual growth of the industry, its relative contribution to the national GDP and the extent to which the sector has come to dominate leather production in the global market. Fig. 1. Growth of the leather industry in India 1951-2007. Source: Sawhney, The new face of environmental management in India, 2008. While India remains a top exporter of leather, it has fallen behind Pakistan and Argentina in annua l output due to several factors. India has the highest population of cattle and enjoys lower labor costs that are essential for leather production. Such conditions would make one believe that India holds a distinct advantage when it comes to manufacturing leather (Sahasranaman 46). However, despite having the basic raw material required for the manufacture of leather, the Indian leather industry suffers from adequate technology and financial incentives required to operate the industries in a clean and pollution-free manner. Further, Indian leather manufacturers are driven by the incentive to keep costs at the very minimum and look upon treating effluents or utilizing cleaner techniques as additional expenditure (Sahasranamam 50). The presence of favorable conditions combined with the present inability of Indian leather manufacturers in coping with global demand has forced them to adopt cheaper and quicker means of production to enhance output volumes. Such pressures have however com e at the expense of the environment. In fact, Jenkins says that tanneries depend on as many as 700 different chemicals to treat and process animal hides, most of which are water insoluble and capable of rendering land and water toxic and unfit for human use (65). For instance, most leather companies situated near the banks of the Ganges River have simply preferred to dump their wastes directly into the river. These effluents contain large