Giving Voice to At-Risk Elders in a Developing Nation: Collecting Phenomenological Narratives

Abstract

Using a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, a dissertation study was conducted in 2013 and 2014 in Ethiopia with 15 older adults (9 women and 6 men) who had experienced abuse and neglect in noninstitutional settings. The first author was the primary researcher and the second author was the dissertation advisor. The study participants were residents of Dangila Town Administration, which is found in the Awi Administrative Zone of the Amhara National Regional State in Ethiopia, 480 km northwest of Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. This paper highlights the research-based experiences of the primary researcher, focusing on the steps followed in carrying out the study including conducting preliminary fieldwork, selecting participants, collecting data, and following ethical procedures. Through this case study, we aim to contribute to the body of knowledge related to qualitative methodological issues, and give insight to researchers to enhance the study of sensitive issues such as abuse and neglect as well as to offer suggestions for working with study populations in developing countries.

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