The Information School of the University of Washington LIS Qualitative_1 LIS 570 Sessions 3.1, 3.2

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 2 Objectives Have some experience with early steps in research design Understand the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research Understand the relationships among quantitative-qualitative and positivist- constructionist philosophies

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 3 Agenda Q/A last session; readings Exercise & Discussion: Life on Campus Discussions: deduction-induction; qualitative- quantitative; positivist-interpretive (or positivist-constructivist)

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 4 Readings, Assignments Updates/Announcements –Text: requested to be on reserve –Research methods: 1pp; font at least 10pt; margins—1” L & R, min. 0.6” top/bottom Post not later than 8PM Tuesdays – anytime w/ questions/issues/clarifications Reflections: focus on learning Q/A

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 5 Short Exercise Life on Campus In groups, discuss 1 st group of questions –10 minutes –Report back on each of the questions Observers –Observe –Make notes on how the team operated

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 6 Teams SGHR: Kate Sellers, Rachel Howard, Jonathan Rochkind, Brian Greene JAO: Serin Anderson, Karen Jaskar, Stacey O'Shea OEH: Solveig Ekenes, Heather Higgins, Erin Ostrander EJM: Laurel Evans, Ben Johnson, Liz Melson BBW: Hannah Burke, Beth Barrett, Amy Wilcox SST: Jennifer Seib, Esti Shay, Kyla Tew For today, “observers” of teams will be: Anne, Scott, Adam, Shawn, Rose, John, Dani

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 7 Qualitative Methods Definition Researcher’s role Features of qualitative research –Context –Description –Process –Participant perspective –Induction Implications of research setting Some qualitative field research frameworks

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 8 Definition - Qualitative Research A process of enquiry that draws from the context in which events occur, in an attempt to describe these occurrences, as a means of determining the process in which events are embedded and the perspectives of those participating in the events, using induction to derive possible explanations based on observed phenomena.

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 9 Researcher’s role In qualitative field research: fly on the wallvs. complete participant “scientific” detachmentimmersing into subjects’ “world” Personal involvement and partiality Reflexivity Discuss considerations of local culture Empathetic understanding

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 10 Features of Qualitative Research Context Description Process Participant perspective Induction

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 11 Context Draws from the context or environment in which events occur Uses the natural setting Researcher does not remain remote enters the context or situation to collect data enhances this data through insights gained onsite

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 12 Context Identify with your subjects Experience what they are experiencing

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 13 Description Describes occurrences the ‘flavor’ of events is included in the research –Instruments: researcher, tape recorders, video cameras, notes, camera, diaries, memos –Collection: verbal narratives from the participants, observations. diary. –Report: narrative, themes, corroborated by other analyses

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 14 Process Not just the result of events but the events themselves understanding the process of events how ideas become action the reactions to actions components of a process richer and fuller understanding through immersion in the entire activity

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 15 Participant perspective What do the people involved in a particular process think what people believe how people feel how people interpret events Often involves participant involvement in or comment on the researchers observations and interpretations

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 16 Exercise What is the next number in these sequences? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, ? 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 4, 4, 4, 4, 5, 5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, ? How did you decide the next number in the sequence?

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 17 Induction Analysis of observations in a coherent and meaningful manner a ‘bottom-up” approach after data have been collected from the particular to the general evidence is used to develop an explanation of events - to establish a theory based on observed phenomena

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 18 Deduction Collection of data based on prior assumptions “Top down” approach –From general to specific –Typically begins with theory –Data are used to support or question theory

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 19 Grounded Theory Approach data collection with little or no theory (“let data speak for themselves”) Once some data are collected, review and see what theories might match Theory development (or matching) is “grounded” in the observations/data Theory-data collection are interactive

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 20 Definition - Qualitative Research A process of enquiry that draws from the context in which events occur, in an attempt to describe these occurrences, as a means of determining the process in which events are embedded and the perspectives of those participating in the events, using induction to derive possible explanations based on observed phenomena.

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 21 Research setting Effect of the research agenda E.g. R & D in industry Effect of the research institution Power relationship?

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 22 Data recording sheet (Bouma: 182) What you observeYour reactions/ thoughts

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 23 Actor Network Theory Network structure emerges from interactions among “actants,” who may be both human and non-human Analyst looks at issues such as –Translation –Enrollment –Delegation Example: consortium of universities

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 24 Qualitative research Researchers work within the natural setting of the data, and the key data collection instruments are the researchers themselves The data (collected) are verbal, not numerical Researchers are concerned with the process of an activity, not only the outcomes of that activity Researchers usually analyze their data verbally rather than statistically The outcomes are often the generation of research questions and conjectures, not the verification of predicted relationships or outcomes

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 25 A B C Particular Behavior SystemsUniversal Behavior Systems Unobtrusive Research Operations Obtrusive Research Operations

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 26 Uses of Qualitative Research Phase 1: Essential First Steps Phase 2: Data Collection Phase 3: Analysis and Interpretation

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 27 Qualitative Research and Essential First Steps Phase 1 –Select, Narrow, and Define Problem Exploratory Qualitative Research Refine “problem statement” –Select a Research Design –Design and Devise Measures for Variables “Operationalization” of the variable Measurement Process –Select Tables for Analysis –Select a Sample

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 28 Qualitative Research and… Purpose –Descriptive What is …. –Exploratory—seek Relationships Association Between Ideas (Concepts) –Explanatory and predictive Cause and Effect Relationships

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 29 Summary – Qualitative Research Often Goes from Bottom Up in Ladder of Abstraction

The Information School of the University of Washington LIS 570_MeasurementMason; p. 30 For more readings in Qualitative Research in IS