Research Proposal & Critical

Commentary

How Commoditization of
Human Body is Differently
Presented by Gender in Our
Society?

Section A
Page no.
Research Proposal
1. Title ... 3
2. Brief introduction to the topic 4
3. Research Questions 7
4. Methodology and Interpretations ..8
5. Data Collection Method and Techniques .11
Conclusion .14
Section B
Critical Commentary
1. Epistemological concern relating to power and objectivity raised by this research 15
2. Tensions exist in the research proposal along with dangers and dilemmas 18
3. Ethical concerns raised in proposal and how these would be addressed .20
4. Why do social researchers need to think reflexively about how they design and carry
out qualitative research 23
References 26

Section A

Research
Proposal

The topic or title of the research which has been selected is how
commoditization of human body is differently presented by
gender in our society. The research proposal will include
introduction of the topic along with the research aims and
objectives which will be discussed as well including the research
hypothesis. The research design or methodology will be discussed
in order to analyze the topic in an effective and efficient manner.
In the end conclusion will be provided in order to explore the
possible outcomes of this research and in which context the results
will influence as it is an important fact to consider.

The topic of the research proposal is how commoditization of human

body is differently presented by gender in our society. The proposed
topic or title talks about the commoditization of human body which is
presented by gender in our society in a different and distinct manner
as the topic has so much importance because of the fact that the
reason behind this statement or assumption describes the mindset of
the society in particular. The proposed research will specifically focus
on the selling of human organ and in recent times the selling of kidney
has increased to a certain extent and level.

Therefore this research will talk about the selling of human organ
means kidney which is being sold in the black market (Talbot,
2012). This issue is influencing society very dangerously as the
people are more frustrated because of the poverty and other
related dilemma. Despite of the strict law and sentence; people
are still motivated and committed to carry on this work and in
near future it can prove to be very destructive phenomenon which
will have much more severe impact on the society and it can be
expected that an every individual will be negatively influenced by
this phenomenon a great deal.

The research topic is actually influenced by the Jean Baudrillard's

idea of seduction, simulation and symbolic exchange. Therefore, this
research will relate to the proposed idea and assumption which was
given by Jean Baudrillard. As a student of sociology I do have a lot of
interest in exploring the facts and reasons behind the research. The
interest was developed because of the fact that this is becoming a
key issue in our society with the passage of time and the issue has
serious consequences over the society in the form of influencing
social norms and cultural values. The scope of the research is quite
wide and broad in a sense that the research is so much significant as
it will influence every individual of the society directly or indirectly.

The research questions for this study are as follows:

In what ways commoditization of human body in terms of

kidney selling is being done in our society
What are the factors that are influencing the kidney selling
What is the relationship among kidney selling, gender and
society as a whole
Why kidney selling is increasing day by day
By the help of defining the research question in different ways
which are related to the research proposal. It is expected that the
research will effectively contribute in providing new knowledge in
terms of ideas; concepts along with hidden facts will also be
discovered and explored.

(i) Conceptual Framework of the Research

This study aims to identify the reasons and hidden facts in the
determination of human commoditization, gender role along
with the society perception about the issue and issues
consequences on the society. This research is exploratory
research because of its nature therefore qualitative research
method will be used in data collection.

(ii) Qualitative Method

The aim of qualitative analysis is to provide detailed and

complete illustration of the data while uncertainties which are
inherent in human behaviours, can be identified easily with
the help of this analysis. This data analysis is merely based on
interpretative philosophy. Qualitative data is collected into
some form of understanding of the situation or peoples that
are investigating in this research Wayne Goddard (2004).

(iii) Types of Qualitative Method

There are different kinds of qualitative research methods available

which can be used at times in order to effectively conduct the
research. These qualitative methods actually depend upon the
nature of the research. These methods are participant observation,
in depth interviews and focus groups. In participant observation,
data is collected on the basis of naturally occurring behaviours in
their normal contexts. In depth interviews are based upon on ones
own personal history along with experience as it is quite specific in
this concern because the research topic is more sensitive. Focus
groups are appropriate in eliciting data which are based upon the
cultural norms of the group in developing wide and extensive
impression and outline of issues of concern to the cultural groups or
subgroups represented (Marvasti, 2004).

The data collection method is such a process in which the data is

collected and analyzed with the help of two data collection method.
These two main data collection methods are primary and secondary
Khan(2011). Primary data are collected for the purpose of a
particular research and is related to the particular problem while on
the other hand secondary data are collected for the purposes that
are other than on hands. For this research study, both methods are
adopted so that relevant data can be gathered and it can be analyzed
and approved with the help of previous researches conducted Wayne
Goddard (2004).

(i) Primary Data

Primary data is the data that is collected first hand by the

researchers while conducting their original investigation study.
Primary data are collected by the researcher for particular research
purpose and it makes use of different methods that go from
qualitative research to experiment and surveys. The primary data
collection methods are observation, questionnaires, interviews, and
sampling. The methods used for this research study are participant
observations along with conducting interviews Khan (2011).

(ii) Secondary Data

Before collecting the primary data, the researchers should gain

the idea by analyzing some of the secondary data Secondary
data collection method is the collection of data using different
articles, journals, books and many other searchers, which are
conducted by various researchers on the specific topic.
Secondary data is the most essential component of successful
research Khan (2011). Secondary data helps in designing the
sample and deciding about the details of primary research.

The expected outcome or the results which can be attained after

completing the research will be significant and important in providing
information regarding the research that will be helpful and critical in
analyzing the present facts and at the same time this analysis will also
provide the awareness and knowledge on the hidden aspects which are
still undiscovered and unexplored by the previous researchers. These
outcomes will definitely influence the society in a manner that will
invite people from different walks of life to start thinking and perceiving
this issue on a serious basis. This is becoming a significant issue as the
time progresses and the concerned authorities must consider this issue
very seriously because of the importance and sensitivity which is
involved in this issue.

Section B

Critical
Commentary

The epistemological concerns in this aspect can be considered in a

way that knowledge definition and explanation in terms of this
research are quite relevant to the power and objectivity. This
research will raise epistemological concerns as in this research these
concerns will be divide into two more aspects one is defining the
knowledge and other is the source of the knowledge. This aspect can
be further explained in a way that the knowledge level and extent is
based on the individual experience and the process of attaining
knowledge during this research.

The knowledge itself is related to power and objectivity to a

considerable extent and this fact can be described in a way that the
knowledge which has been acquired is expected to be true and fair
and this fact will be taken into consideration that it remains
unbiased and impartial over the period of time. The sources of
knowledge have been considered in this research as it will relate to
the objectivity and power to a reasonable extent. The sources of
knowledge utilized in this research proposal are quite reliable and
authentic in a way that the sources have been verified first before
using the information sources so that the authenticity of
knowledge will be helpful in attaining desired outcomes of the
research.

There is another aspect which must be taken into consideration the

element of doubt always remain and as a matter of fact this
question arises during the research that do we know everything
about the issue and is the knowledge complete enough or there are
some areas which are still needed to be explored. The
epistemological concerns have been raised by this research and it is
a realistic fact that innate ideas and experiences along with the
reasoning were considered in this research proposal. The aspect of
power and objectivity were also analyzed during the preparation of
this research proposal in a way that the facts have been presented in
its original form and nature and no attempt was made to affect the
data and neutrality was observed through the proposal research.

There are tensions exist which do have an impact or influence

which were found during the research in a way that this research
was conducted on the sensitive issues and during the research
some facts were revealed which were of personal reasons and
nature. By knowing this cruel fact at times the motivation level
went down and depression element took place. For the sake of
attaining the true information and sources, these potential issues
were anticipated earlier in a proactive manner that really helped
the research proposal in a way that proposal was completed
despite facing these challenges.

There were some dangers and dilemmas also highlighted, the social
aspect is becoming more alarming and vulnerable as the issue is
very sensitive and can become dangerous as well at times because
of illegality and different criminal peoples are involved in this work
so in this aspect there are chances that it can result in negative
consequences . These are all worrying aspects which were
emerged during the research and it was expected that these things
will happen during the research therefore measures were also
adopted to remain proactive and alert to a considerable extent that
was quite needed. These are some sort of dilemmas and unwanted
things that happen when these sorts of researches are conducted.

Ethical considerations are considered important for conducting the

research study. It can be addressed at individual and at societal
levels. The way that participants are affected by the conduct of the
research study is also termed as the ethical consideration.
Moreover, in this research study, participants will be informed about
the research study and their consent is necessary. In addition to the
above, the research study shall ensure that the personal information
of the participants is not misused. Hence, all the data is taken from
authentic sources and free from plagiarism Denzin (2012).

Ethical concerns do focus on morality and good moral practices

which have been considered and tried to implement in the proposal.
All the information which has been acquired in the research will be
kept confidential and have been kept confidential. As the research is
about sensitive issue so this topic was not discussed with the
irrelevant and non-concerned people and the confidentiality matter
was practiced by all people who were involved in this proposal in any
way (Miller et al., 2012).
These concerns can be effectively addressed by the help of the
measures which can be implemented during the research as the
consent of the participants will be determined and at the same time
all participants who will be participating in the research will be
involved and will provide their feedback on the voluntarily basis
(Miller et al., 2012).

The all participants will also be provided an opportunity in terms of

their understanding the research in a way that all the relevant and
desired information will be provided to participant in which the
information will be communicated and comprehended to
participants in an effective manner so that they can easily grasp and
understand their role and part in the research (Miller et al., 2012).

There is an utmost and real need for social researcher to think

reflexively when they are conducting qualitative research. This aspect
is quite significant and has much more importance because there are
some issues which require boundaries and distance which must be
maintained when they are doing qualitative research (Dickson-Swift et
al., 2007).The other consideration is regarding the protection of
participants who are involved in the research as a matter of fact
sometime it becomes tricky to make an assessment of the impact of
the research on both participants and researcher. The other thing is
that very little focus and attention is given while recording and writing
means documenting the qualitative research (Dickson-Swift et al.,
2007).

There is another aspect which is very critical for researchers as a matter

of fact while dealing and analyzing the secondary sources, sometime it
has happened that researchers were found affected after reading the
secondary sources which were related to sensitive topics and issues.
Specifically in qualitative research there is likelihood that researcher can
be depressed and emotionally disturbed because of the facts which are
mentioned in secondary sources (Milling-Kinard, 1996).
There is also a need of developing a kind of rapport for researcher with
their participants as it will help the researcher to feel more confident and
relaxed and at the same time research relationship will be established
that will help researcher to gain access to the participant story and
circumstances in an effective manner (Ceglowski, 2000).

These all issues and difficulties must be effectively considered and

analyzed in timely manner so that the research should not be affected
by these difficulties as there are probability and likelihood that if
researchers do not anticipate this scenario or these concerns in a
proactive manner then there is a likelihood that the purpose of the
research in spite of making efforts throughout the research (Ritchie et
al., 2013).
The researcher should be proactive and alert while conducting
qualitative research specifically when dealing and anticipating
sensitive and difficult issue. These all facts and assumptions must be
analyzed and considered by the researcher before beginning the
qualitative research. These all facts will be helpful and provide
guideline for researcher to start research accordingly and effectively
complete the research in a specified time frame in an effective and
efficient manner (Ritchie et al., 2013).

Ceglowski, D., 2000. Research as Relationship. Qualitative Inquiry , 6, p.88103.

Denzin, N.K., 2012. 'Triangulation'. Journal of Mixed Methods Research, 6(2), pp.80-88.
Dickson-Swift, V., L.James, E., Kippen, S. & Liamputtong, P., 2007. Doing sensitive research:
what challenges do qualitative researchers face? Qualitative Reserach, SAGE Publications,
7(3), p.327353.
Khan, 2011. Research Methodology. APH Publishing.
Marvasti, A., 2004. Qualitative Research in Sociology. New York: SAGE Publications.
Miller, T., Mauthne, M., Birch, M. & Jessop, J., 2012. Ethics in Qualitative Research. 2nd ed.
New York: SAGE.
Milling-Kinard, E., 1996. Conducting Research on Child Maltreatment: Effects on
Researchers. Violence and Victims , 11, pp.9-65.
Ritchie, J., Lewis, J., Nicholls, C.M. & Ormston, R., 2013. Qualitative Research Practice: A
Guide for Social Science Students and Researchers. 2nd ed. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Talbot, M., 2012. Bioethics: An Introduction. Illustrated ed. Cambridge: Cambrdige
University Press.
Wayne Goddard, S.M., 2004. Research Methodology: An Introduction. illustrated, revised
ed. Juta and Company Ltd.

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