Discuss how researchers analyze data obtained in observational research

 The process of analysis and interpretation involve disciplined examination, creative insight, and careful attention to the purposes of the research study. Analysis and interpretation are conceptually separate processes.  The analysis process begins with assembling the raw materials and getting an overview or total picture of the entire process.

 The researcher's role in analysis covers a continuum with assembly of raw data on one extreme and interpretative comments on the other.  Analysis is the process of bringing order to the data, organizing what is there into patterns, categories, and basic descriptive units.

 The analysis process involves consideration of words, tone, context, non-verbals, internal consistency, frequency, extensiveness, intensity, specificity of responses and big ideas. Content analysis strategies are essential in the analysis (Krueger, 1994).  Interpretation involves attaching meaning and significance to the analysis, explaining descriptive patterns, and looking for relationships and linkages among descriptive dimensions. Once these processes have been completed the researcher must report his or her interpretations and conclusions

 Analysis is usually based on researcher’s field notes, but these are often compared to data from other sources (interview transcripts, narratives, pictures). Why is this important?  One way to analyze the data from observations is grounded theory analysis.

 Grounded theory analysis is a methodology that has been used to generate theory in areas where there is little already known (Goulding, 1998). Its usefulness is also recognized where there is an apparent lack of integrated theory in the literature (Goulding, 2002).  Grounded theory “adapts well to capturing the complexities of the context in which the action unfolds…” (Locke, 2001:95) and emphasizes process.

 Grounded theory assists the researcher in retaining the link between culture, language, social context and construct (Gales, 2003).  Therefore, grounded theory generates theory that is of direct interest and relevance for practitioners in that it analyses a substantive topic and aims at discovering a basic social process (BSP) which has the potential to resolve some of the main concerns of a particular group (Jones, 2002).

The core of grounded theory analysis is based on three related processes:  Description  Coding and connecting themes  Produce an account

Description  Description includes; the context of the action, the intentions of the participant, and the process in which the action is embedded.  A detailed description provides rich data. Be able to provide examples supporting the importance of description.

Coding and Connecting Themes  This is the process of organizing notes into categories.  The purpose is to provide tools for analysis Without categorization, it isn't possible to know what is analyzed and no way to compare the data.  The coding is usually done through inductive content analysis.

The Classification Process  Consists of reading, and rereading the field notes in an interactive way.  The researches must be able to identify bits of data and create categories, by asking questions like; who? What? When? Where? Why?

 This approach can open different routes to examine the data and make it easier to see how the categories and subcategories may be related by themes.  The researcher should write a summary of the analysis so that independent readers can follow how and why the connections are reached  The notes about notes are called memos.

 When the data have been classified into themes, the researcher can look for higher-order themes (main themes) and subthemes.  Interpretation of the data is based on comparison of the collected data, and sometimes the researcher will include evidence from other sources (interview data, or information on the social context). How can interpretation of observation be done using other sources/methods?  It's important to think critically and not only look for data that support the interpretation. Explain how this can create bias?

Producing an Account  The end product is a written account based on all the elements of the analysis.  The researcher produces a coherent explanation and an overall theoretical framework for understanding the phenomenon under investigation.  The theoretical framework is “grounded” based on the categories identified during the observation.

 However, it may also be that researchers use theoretical triangulation - including alternative theories to explain the phenomenon.  The researcher continuously consults the data to see if they support the interpretation. He or she may also consult the participants, to ask them whether they can support the interpretation.

 Grounded theory analysis is to observations what inductive content analysis is to interviews.  The processes are nearly identical, however, the detail and attention is especially significant with observations.