Field Research Social Research Methods 2113 6501 Spring

Field Research (質化田野研究、田野調查) Social Research Methods 2113 & 6501 Spring, 2007 April 30, 2007 1

Part II • • Observing and Collecting Data The Field Research Interview Leaving the field Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research 2

Observing and Collecting Data • Field data: what you experience, remember, and record in field notes (田野資料: 你經歷的、記得的、 記錄下來的資料) • Observing: pay close attention, watch, and listen carefully (detailed and tedious work) – – Scrutinizes the physical setting (仔細檢視週遭環境) Observe people and their actions The context Serendipity: 1) keen observation and excellent notes; 2) appreciate wait time – Listening – Argot (行話): 人們互動一段時間之後，會發展出彼此共 享的符號或特定名詞，創造出新的字詞或賦予一般字 詞新的意義。研究者要找出這些行話如何被運用在社 會關係或意義中。 3

Taking Notes • Most field data are in the form of field notes. (大部分的田野資料以田野筆記呈現) • Writing requires self-discipline: writing immediately after leaving the setting (田 野筆記的記錄需要自我紀律: 離開場域後馬 上寫筆記) • Notes: neat and organized 4

Taking Notes • Types of Notes – Jotted notes (written in the field) (隨手筆記) – Direct observation notes (直接觀察的筆記) – Researcher inference notes (研究者推論筆記) – Analytical notes (分析筆記): methodological ideas, plans, tactics, procedural decisions, etc. – Personal notes (個人筆記): personal feelings and emotional reactions • Maps and Diagrams 5

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Taking Notes • Types of Notes – – Jotted notes (written in the field) (隨手筆記) Direct observation notes (直接觀察的筆記) Researcher inference notes (研究者推論筆記) Analytical notes (分析筆記): methodological ideas, plans, tactics, procedural decisions, etc. – Personal notes (個人筆記): personal feelings and emotional reactions • Maps and Diagrams • Machine Recordings to Supplement Memory (注意: 逐字 稿不能取代田野筆記或研究者在場域內實際的經驗) • Interview Notes (訪談筆記): date, place of interview, characteristics of interviewee, content of the interview, etc. • Record all the details (記錄儘可能詳實) – But select and use only “the gold” 8

Data Quality of Field Research • The meaning of quality: captures members’ social interaction and interpretation of social life, and provides an understanding of the member’s viewpoint ( 資料的品質: 抓住成員的社會互動及對生活 的詮釋，提供對成員觀點的了解) 9

Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Field Research • Reliability: a potential problem with reliability – Internal consistency (內在一致性): data plausible? – External consistency (外在一致性): verifying or crosschecking observations with other sources of data – Depending on a researcher’s insight, awareness, suspicions, and questions – Evaluate members’ credibility: consider subjectivity and context 10

Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Field Research • Validity: accurate representations of the social worlds in the field – Replicability is not a criterion – Four kinds of validity or tests of research accuracy • • Ecological validity (生態效度) Natural history (自然歷史) Member validation (成員檢視) Competent insider performance (夠水準的圈內人的 表現) 11

Focusing and Sampling in Field Research • Focusing: gets a general picture first, then focuses on a few specific problems or issues 12

Focusing and Sampling in Field Research • Sampling: theoretical sampling, snowball sampling • A researcher samples: times, situations, types of events (routine, special, and unanticipated) , locations, types of people, or contexts of interest 13

The Field Research Interview • The field interview: unstructured, nondirective, in -depth (非結構性、非指導性的深入訪談) – Members actively participate – A mutual sharing of experiences between members and researchers – Members express themselves in the way they usually speak, think, and organize – Occur in a series over time – Differs from a friendly conversation – Watching for “markers” (訪談時受訪者不經意提起的過 往事情，通常代表著重要事件或情感) 14

The Field Research Interview • Types of questions asked: descriptive, structural and contrast questions (依序問 描述性、結構性、對照性的問題) – 擅用追問(probe)的技巧 • Informants: a member who informs a researcher about the field • Interview context: usually in members’ home environment • See Table 13. 1 in page 407. 15

Leaving the field • The end of research may be difficult for a field researcher. • The exit process depends on the specific field setting and the relationships developed. • Leaving the field affects both researchers and members. 16

Focus Groups (焦點團體訪談法) • People are informally “interviewed” in a groupdiscussion setting • 6 -12 persons in a room with a moderator to discuss a few issues • Homogenous members, but no close friends and relatives • Often combine focus groups with quantitative research • Be aware of advantages and limitations (p. 412) 17

Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research • • • Deception (欺騙) Confidentiality (保密) Involvement with Deviants The Powerful Publishing Field Reports: may ask members to verify 18

Field Research • Begins data analysis and theorizing during the data collection phase • The researcher directly involves with members in a natural setting • Requires a combination of skills • Select appropriate research questions 19