Discussion 1: Reflections on Qualitative Research for Social Change Introduction: Social Change In the recent years, the pursuit for institutions, “practical researchers” and individuals to join in the crusade for  social change  has been remarkable; as many people around the world are reaching out to their neighborhoods as a member of the community to contribute to the common good through research, service, and educational opportunities ( Yob  & Brewer, 2015. p.2). Social change constitutes a change in the nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social relations of a society, community of people, or other social structures (Walden University, 2016). Social change can be at the micro scale (that positively shape values, attitudes and behaviors) or at the macro scale (that positively shape  economies, religion and families). The Essence of Social Change to a Walden Student Yob  & Brewer (2015) observed that the term “social change” has been defined and analyzed across the academic disciplines, reflecting the particular perspective of that discipline and its research agenda. Prominent among the definition of  social change  are the concepts of  social justice  and  equity  which have been significant in discussions of social change in education, psychology, and social and cultural studies (Curry-Stevens, 2007; Drury &  Reicher , 2009;  Moely ,  Furco , & Reed, 2008; and Peterson, 2009, as were cited in  Yob  & Brewer (2015). There are as many definitions for  social change  as we have social scientists. However  Hoff and  Hickling -Hudson (2011), supporting the definition of  Aloni  (2002), provided the definition which places social change as “challenging trends of discrimination, exploitation, oppression, and subjugation displayed by groups who regard themselves as favored and, thus, take privileges for themselves and deprive other groups of the right to a dignified life” (p. 189). In this context, “ change”  as is used in the “social change” is defined here in positive and value-laden terms that relate more particularly to the agents of social change than to others they might want to change. There is a great range and variation in the roles and positions that researchers takes up in research, as was observed by  Ravitch  & Carl (2016).   Over the years ( more than 45 years), Walden University has produced career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can apply what  they’ve  learned to effect positive social change. Walden is focused on inspiring and celebrating the remarkable achievements of community members who continue to make a difference by addressing challenges where they live, in their professions, and in the world around them. This was a major factor that attracted me to pursue a  programme  at Walden. In our sub-region, (the sub-Sahara Africa), addressing the issue of social change from the national perspective has not been as significant relative to the.

1. Discussion 1: Reflections on Qualitative Research for Social
Change
Introduction: Social Change
In the recent years, the pursuit for institutions, “practical
researchers” and individuals to join in the crusade for
social change
has been remarkable; as many people around the world are
reaching out to their neighborhoods as a member of the
community to contribute to the common good through research,
service, and educational opportunities (
Yob
& Brewer, 2015. p.2). Social change constitutes a change in the
nature, the social institutions, the social behavior or the social
relations of a society, community of people, or other social
structures (Walden University, 2016). Social change can be at
the micro scale (that positively shape values, attitudes and
behaviors) or at the macro scale (that positively shape
economies, religion and families).
The Essence of Social Change to a Walden Student
Yob
& Brewer (2015) observed that the term “social change” has
been defined and analyzed across the academic disciplines,
reflecting the particular perspective of that discipline and its
research agenda. Prominent among the definition of
social change
are the concepts of
social justice
and
equity
which have been significant in discussions of social change in
education, psychology, and social and cultural studies (Curry-
Stevens, 2007; Drury &
Reicher
, 2009;

2. Moely
,
Furco
, & Reed, 2008; and
Peterson, 2009, as were cited in
Yob
& Brewer (2015). There are as many definitions for
social change
as we have social scientists. However
Hoff and
Hickling
-Hudson (2011), supporting the definition of
Aloni
(2002), provided the definition which places social change as
“challenging trends of discrimination, exploitation, oppression,
and subjugation displayed by groups who regard themselves as
favored and, thus, take privileges for themselves and deprive
other groups of the right to a dignified life” (p. 189). In this
context, “
change”
as is used in the “social change” is defined here in positive and
value-laden terms that relate more particularly to the agents of
social change than to others they might want to change.
There is a great range and variation in the roles and positions
that researchers takes up in research, as was observed by
Ravitch
& Carl (2016).
Over the years (
more than 45 years), Walden University has produced career
professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as
scholar-practitioners so that they can apply what
they’ve
learned to effect positive social change. Walden is focused on
inspiring and celebrating the remarkable achievements of
community members who continue to make a difference by
addressing challenges where they live, in their professions, and

3. in the world around them. This was a major factor that attracted
me to pursue a
programme
at Walden. In our sub-region, (the sub-Sahara Africa),
addressing the issue of social change from the national
perspective has not been as significant relative to the
community and individual levels.
Areas of Qualitative Research where I would like to know more
Central to any research method (qualitative, quantitative or
mixed), usually begins with an interest, problem, or question (
Ravitch
& Carl, 2016, p. 2). Firstly this course brought me to
qualitative method of research and secondly exposed me to
some of the key concepts and framework. Lessons were also
gathered from the use of codes, themes, memos and categories
(Laureate Education, 2016). However I will be more interested
in the following:
To be more familiar with the terms, concepts (rigor, validity,
credibility, trustworthiness, recursive and positivism) and the
frameworks that constitute the cornerstone of qualitative
research (
Hammersley
&
Traianou
, 2012;
Ravitch
& Carl, 2016).
Secondly I will be more keen in knowing how to strongly
aligning my research questions with my research objectives.
At my data collection stage, I intend to use focus groups, hence
I will be interested in acquiring more knowledge from this data
collection method.
My Dissertation - Looking Ahead

4. The scope of the usage of qualitative research is broad and is
used in many separate disciplines, it does not belong to any
single discipline (
Ravitch
& Carl, 2016, p. 6). The wide scope in the usage of qualitative
research enable researchers to apply this tool in exploring the
social dimensions such as social values, cultures and attitudes
which are the main ingredients for effecting positive social
change.
The application of knowledge acquired from the lessons to
effect positive social change is the
core commitment of Walden in ensuring that graduate students
can apply new skills, expand their networks, gain deeper
knowledge, and consider a variety of perspectives in order to be
in a better position to address practical problems at individual
level (micro) as well as within their organizations,
communities, and society at large (macro). My intended
dissertation is intended at using qualitative research method to
explore factors that ensure the growth and sustainability of
micro, small and medium enterprises. The objective here is to
contribute my quota to the creation of wealth and subsequently
the reduction in poverty.
References
Hammersley
, M., &
Traianou
, A. (2012).
Ethics in qualitative research: Controversies and contexts.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016).
Introduction to coding
[Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2016).
From content to coding
[Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

5. Laureate Education (Producer). (2016).
Visualizing data with Word or Excel
[Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Ravitch
, S. M., & Carl, N. M. (2016).
Qualitative research: Bridging the conceptual, theoretical, and
methodological
. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Yob
, I., & Brewer, P. (2015). Working toward the common good:
An
online
university's perspectives on social change, 1-25.