Qualitative Research Design for the Librarian/Scholar Dr. Robert V. Labaree Head, The Von KleinSmid Library for International and Public Affairs International and Public Affairs University of Southern California ALA Conference EBSS Program Chicago, IL Chicago, IL July 12, 2009

Introduction Topics to be covered : Describe some basic methodological features of qualitative studies Describe some basic methodological features of qualitative studies Review general pitfalls and benefits associated with qualitative research Review general pitfalls and benefits associated with qualitative research Concluding thoughts and contact information Concluding thoughts and contact information But first, a short story of reflection and contemplation…. But first, a short story of reflection and contemplation….

The Research Question Ballots for the positions of ALA officers and Councilors are accompanied by the candidate’s statement of professional concerns. This study analyzes the dialogic properties of candidate’s statements of concern during the period 1980 through 2010 to address the existential questions: “Who are we as professionals?,” “What do we want?,” and, “Where are we going?” The data is used to chart how patterns of change and transformation within the library profession are expressed by those seeking positions of leadership, to highlight and affirm statements about core values identified by candidates over time, and to explore broader conceptualizations of professional identity.

Deciding on a Method Interviews? Interviews? Focus Groups? Focus Groups? Survey? Survey? Content Analysis - a set of techniques used for the systematic analysis of communicative content [e.g., text, discourse, images, etc.] Content Analysis - a set of techniques used for the systematic analysis of communicative content [e.g., text, discourse, images, etc.]

Content Analysis Advantages: Looks directly at communication Looks directly at communication Can provide valuable historical and cultural insights over time Can provide valuable historical and cultural insights over time Allows a closeness to the text which can alternate between specific categories and relationships and the coded form of the text Allows a closeness to the text which can alternate between specific categories and relationships and the coded form of the text It is an unobtrusive means of analyzing qualitative data It is an unobtrusive means of analyzing qualitative data Provides insight into complex models of thought and language use Provides insight into complex models of thought and language use_____________________________________________ Source: Fairclough, Norman. Analysing Discourse: Textual Analysis for Social Research. New York: Routledge, 2003.

Understanding Limitations Examining only one source of leadership-seeking narratives Examining only one source of leadership-seeking narratives Completeness of archives is unknown Completeness of archives is unknown Methodology is inherently reductive, particularly when dealing with complex texts Methodology is inherently reductive, particularly when dealing with complex texts Methodology often tends to consist of only word counts Methodology often tends to consist of only word counts Methodology limited to only recorded information Methodology limited to only recorded information Temptation exists to interpret a case of content analysis as an indication of the causes of a phenomenon rather than a reflection of it Temptation exists to interpret a case of content analysis as an indication of the causes of a phenomenon rather than a reflection of it Difficult to establish content validity between each category and its intended meaning Difficult to establish content validity between each category and its intended meaning

Design Characteristics  Purposeful Cases are selected because they are “information rich”  Emergent Willingness to adapt methods of analysis as knowledge and understanding deepens  Naturalistic Investigate social processes as they unfold naturally rather than reasoning from either the conditions under which they occur or the outcomes that correlate with them.

I’ve Collected the Data, Now What  Attention to process Situational and contextual changes occur throughout the life of the study  Personal experience and engagement The researcher is the primary instrument of data collection and analysis  “Thick description” The goal is deep understanding about phenomena and experiences

Analytical Principles  Inductive and creative Research process guided by analytical principles rather than rules  Holistic perspective Phenomena under study are complex and cannot be reduced to a few variables  Context sensitivity Avoid broad generalizations; investigation does not rest in isolation from the larger social/cultural/economic/political environment  Reflexivity Critical self-awareness of one’s own presence in the research process

Some Benefits Provides deep meaning Provides deep meaning Reveals the hidden or mundane Aims are not pre- determined Provides a multi- dimensional and dynamic picture of group experience [level of isomorphism] Provides a multi- dimensional and dynamic picture of group experience [level of isomorphism] Helps determine questions and types of follow-up research Helps determine questions and types of follow-up research Some Pitfalls Institutional Review Boards Institutional Review Boards Quantity of information Quantity of information Time and energy Time and energy Ethical issues Ethical issues Difficult to separate phenomena into distinct and workable units of analysis Difficult to separate phenomena into distinct and workable units of analysis Inquiries do not lend themselves to generalizability Inquiries do not lend themselves to generalizability

Contact Information Dr. Robert V. Labaree Head, The Von KleinSmid Library for International and Public Affairs University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA