how do we collect and analyze qualitative data? - ANS participant observation
- analyzing field sites
- interested in the dynamics of human interactions
- where interviewing is not possible
- or together with interviewing and/or documents
method - ANS how you go about doin...
how do we collect and analyze qualitative data? - ANS participant observation
- analyzing field sites
- interested in the dynamics of human interactions
- where interviewing is not possible
- or together with interviewing and/or documents
method - ANS how you go about doing something
eg. participant observation - being in the field, observing, taking down notes, recording natural
life
methodology - ANS why you are going about it in a particular way
- overarching framework
eg. ethnography - research in the setting observing as things happen to understand human life
in a particular setting
characteristics of participant observation - ANS - based on "naturalism"
- social context (setting) is of multiple importance
- direct observation and interaction
- sufficient time
- use of a variety of data sources
- volume of recorded data
- evolving character of the study
- researcher is the primary data collection instrument
- focus on both explicit and tactic knowledge
explicit knowledge - ANS exactly what is said, heard, and seen
tactic knowledge - ANS the unspoken, information that is harder to get at
assumptions of participant observation - ANS - a researcher can are in the participants
world
- a researcher can directly participate in the participants world
,- by participating in the participants world, a researcher can understand the participants world
from his/her unique perspective
role of the observer - ANS - covert role
- complete role
- active role
- peripheral role
peripheral role - ANS maintains the fly on the wall stance, basically a witness, documents
what they see, an invisible role
active role - ANS researcher is actively involved in whatever field research they're in
complete role - ANS completely emerged in the study, overt, participant in the activity
covert role - ANS access to hiden facets of social life (drug dealing), can be risky, harder to
get ethical clearance
portrayal of the purpose of the research to others - ANS false explanation
- using deception as to the purpose of the research project
covert explanations
- no explanation
partial explanation
- not everyone knows the true intent of the project
full explanation of real purpose
- everyone knows the intent of the research
duration of observations - ANS - single observation, limited time
- long term, multiple observations
- general rule: start with a broad focus and move to a narrow focus to look for particular
important issues
procedures in participant observation - ANS 1. select a site to be observed
2. negotiate access and entry to the site
3. determine who or what to observe, when, and for how long
4. determine role in the setting
5. design an observation protocol
6. conduct systematic data collection and begin analysis
7. decide when and how to leave the setting
8. complete the analysis process and write the research report
types of field notes - ANS - jotted notes
- direct observation notes
- researcher inference notes
, - analytic notes
- personal notes
jotted notes - ANS - written in the field
- short temp memory triggers
- words or phrases are then used to prompt memory for later
- participant quotes
- analytic jottings - as you're hearing something you start to think of the meaning
direct observation notes - ANS - written directly after the jotted notes
- what people are saying
researcher inference notes - ANS researchers interpretations on what he/she thinks could
be going on
analytic notes - ANS - where you start putting all the big puzzle pieces together
- higher order of thinking
personal notes - ANS personal feelings and emotional reactions that may be experienced
you just arrived now what? - ANS - get oriented
- locate subgroups and stars
- observe and listen
- record key words and phrases while in the field
- write notes before sharing them with others
- central component of ethnographic research is the ethnographic account
- your notes should help you visualize the moment a year later
avoid summary statements
- use maps, diagrams, or a 'ground plan'
what to observe - ANS - physical setting
- social environment
- planned activities, programs, events
- informal interactions and unplanned activities
- verbal communication/language of the people
- nonverbal communication
- what does NOT happen
reflexivity - ANS take into account your (researchers) experiences and status (gender, age,
class, profession, sexuality, history, etc.) and how they affect interactions
challenges to field observations - ANS minimize participant reactivity
- your goal is to get people to forget you're there doing research
hawthorne effect
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