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CHAPTER 10, qualitative field research
Fall 2012
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Chapter Outline Topics Appropriate to Field Research
Special Consideration in Qualitative Field Research Some Qualitative Field Research Paradigms Conducting Qualitative Field Research Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research Ethics and Qualitative Field Research Quick Quiz Qualitative Field Research
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Topics Appropriate for Field Research
Topics that defy simply quantification Attitudes and behaviors best understood in their natural setting Social processes over time Qualitative Field Research
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Elements of Social Life Appropriate to Field Research
Practices Episodes Encounters Roles and Social Types Social and Personal Relationships Groups and Cliques Organizations Settlements and Habitats Social Worlds Subcultures and Lifestyles Qualitative Field Research
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Special Considerations in Qualitative Field Research
Roles of the Observer Participant, Researcher, Observer Reactivity – The problem that the subjects of social research may react to the fact of being studied, thus altering their behavior from what it would have been normally. Relations to Subjects Objectivity Alien / Martian Reflexivity – the sense of things acting on themselves Qualitative Field Research
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Some Qualitative Field Research Paradigms
Naturalism Ethnomethodology Grounded Theory Case Studies Institutional Ethnography Participatory Action Research Qualitative Field Research
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Naturalism – An approach to field research based on the assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported accurately. Ethnography – A report on social life that focuses on detailed and accurate description rather than explanation. Qualitative Field Research
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Ethnomethodology – An approach to the study of social life that focuses on the discovery of implicit, usually unspoken assumptions and agreement. Qualitative Field Research
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Grounded Theory – an inductive approach to the study of social life that attempts to generate a theory from the constant comparing of unfolding observations. Guidelines: Think comparatively – compare numerous incidents to avoid biases Obtain multiple viewpoints – of those under study Periodically step back – to evaluate clearly Maintain an attitude of skepticism Follow the research procedures – “making comparisons, asking questions, and sampling” Qualitative Field Research
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Case Studies – The in-depth examination of a single instance of some social phenomenon.
Extended Case Method – A technique in which case study observations are used to discover flaws in and to improve existing social theories. Qualitative Field Research
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Institutional Ethnography – A research technique in which the personal experiences of individuals are used to reveal power relationships and other characteristics of the institution within which they operate. Qualitative Field Research
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Participatory Action Research – An approach to social research in which the people being studied are given control over the purpose and procedures of the research. Intended as a counter to the view that researchers are superior to those they study Emancipatory Research – Research conducted for the purpose of benefiting disadvantaged groups. Qualitative Field Research
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Conducting Qualitative Field Research
Preparing for the Field Be familiar with relevant research Discuss your plans with others in the area Identify and meet informants (when appropriate) First impressions are important Establish rapport (an open and trusting relationship) Ethical considerations Qualitative Field Research
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Qualitative Interview – Contrasted with survey interviewing, the qualitative interview is based on a set of topics to be discussed in depth rather than based on the use of standardized questions. “Miner” who digs for the truth or “Traveler” who wanders around asking questions Qualitative Field Research
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Stages in Complete Interviewing Process
Thematizing – clarifying the subjects to be studied or explored Designing – laying out the process through which you’ll accomplish your purpose Interviewing – doing the actual interviews Transcribing – written text of interviews Analyzing – determining the meaning Verifying – checking the reliability and validity of the materials Reporting – telling others what you’ve learned Qualitative Field Research
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Focus Group – A group of subjects interviewed together, prompting a discussion.
Advantages: real-life data, flexible, high degree of face validity, fast, inexpensive Disadvantages: not representative, little interviewer control, difficult analysis, interviewer/moderator skills, difficult logistically Qualitative Field Research
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Recording Observations
Take detailed notes, but balance with observations Rewrite notes with observations soon after observations with filled in details Record empirical observations and interpretations Record everything Anticipate observations Qualitative Field Research
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Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research
Strengths of Qualitative Field Research Effective for studying subtle nuances in attitudes and behaviors and social processes over time Flexibility Inexpensive Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research No appropriate statistical analyses Qualitative Field Research
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Validity Greater validity than survey and experimental measurements Reliability Potential problems with reliability Qualitative Field Research
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Quick Quiz Qualitative Field Research
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1. When you use field research, you’re confronted with:
decisions about the role you’ll play as an observer your relationship with the people you are observing both of the above choices neither of the above choices Qualitative Field Research
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Answer: C. When you use field research, you’re confronted with decisions about the role you’ll play as an observer and your relationship with the people you are observing. Qualitative Field Research
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2. _____ is an old tradition in qualitative research based on the assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported accurately. Naturalism Ethnography Ethnomethodology Qualitative Field Research
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Answer: A. Naturalism is an old tradition in qualitative research based on the assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported accurately. Qualitative Field Research
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3. _____ describes when the subject of social research may react to the fact of being studied, thus altering their behavior from what it would have been normally. Reactivity Sensitivity Hyperactivity Qualitative Field Research
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ANSWER: A. Reactivity describes when the subject of social research may react to the fact of being studied, thus altering their behavior from what it would have been normally. Qualitative Field Research
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4. In a _____, typically people are brought together to engage in a guided discussion on some topic. classroom focus group micro study Qualitative Field Research
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ANSWER: B. In a focus group, typically people are brought together to engage in a guided discussion on some topic. Qualitative Field Research
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5. In comparison to surveys and experiments, field research has:
high validity and high reliability. high validity and low reliability. low validity and high reliability. low validity and low reliability. Qualitative Field Research
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ANSWER: B. In comparison to surveys and experiments, field research has high validity and low reliability. Qualitative Field Research
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