QUALITATIVE METHODSFIELD RESEARCH Research Methods University of Massachusetts

WHAT IS FIELD RESEARCH? I • Information collection • Based on direct sensory input

WHAT IS FIELD RESEARCH? 2 • • Immersed in culture Not highly structured Flexible

PRINCIPLE MEANS • • Observation Participation In Depth Interviews Non-reactive Data Collection 4

OBSERVATION ISSUES • Unstructured versus Structured • Hidden versus Open • Interactive versus Non-active

PARTICIPATION ISSUES • • • Degree of participation Role of participator Knowledge of participants

INTERVIEW ISSUES • • • Gaining Access Starting Interview Role of Interviewer Asking Qualitative

NON-REACTIVE DATA ISSUES • Availability of Non. Reactive Data • Completeness of Data •

FIELD SAMPLING ISSUES: 1 • Difficulties of probability sampling • Snowball sampling • Sampling

FIELD SAMPLING ISSUES: 1 • • Sampling activities/events Purposive sampling Checking representativeness Checking exceptions

MAKING SENSE OF QUALITATIVE DATA: I • • • Conceptual categories Grouping/piling Keyword indexing

MAKING SENSE OF QUALITATIVE DATA: II • • • Theory construction Empirical generalization Question

ETHICAL ISSUES: 1 • Deceptive Purpose and Natural Behavior • Unethical Action and Unnatural

ETHICAL ISSUES: 2 • Is “Ethical Neutrality” Unethical? • Use of Informants • Ethics

ASSESSING VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY: 1 • Use multiple sources • Repeat questions later on

ASSESSING VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY: 2 • Compare informants with observers • Compare within observers

Slides: 16

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WHAT IS FIELD RESEARCH? I • Information collection • Based on direct sensory input • Inductive means create – questions, – hypotheses, – conclusions 2

WHAT IS FIELD RESEARCH? 2 • • Immersed in culture Not highly structured Flexible Creative 3

PRINCIPLE MEANS • • Observation Participation In Depth Interviews Non-reactive Data Collection 4

OBSERVATION ISSUES • Unstructured versus Structured • Hidden versus Open • Interactive versus Non-active • Method of recording information 5

PARTICIPATION ISSUES • • • Degree of participation Role of participator Knowledge of participants Obligations to participants Ethical dilemmas Method of recording information 6

INTERVIEW ISSUES • • • Gaining Access Starting Interview Role of Interviewer Asking Qualitative Questions Method of Recording Information 7

NON-REACTIVE DATA ISSUES • Availability of Non. Reactive Data • Completeness of Data • Relevance of Data • Interpretation of Data • Legal and Ethical Dilemmas 8

FIELD SAMPLING ISSUES: 1 • Difficulties of probability sampling • Snowball sampling • Sampling across time • Sampling different locations 9

FIELD SAMPLING ISSUES: 1 • • Sampling activities/events Purposive sampling Checking representativeness Checking exceptions 10

MAKING SENSE OF QUALITATIVE DATA: I • • • Conceptual categories Grouping/piling Keyword indexing Storytelling Content analysis Reconfirming 11

MAKING SENSE OF QUALITATIVE DATA: II • • • Theory construction Empirical generalization Question refinement Storytelling Purposive selection 12

ETHICAL ISSUES: 1 • Deceptive Purpose and Natural Behavior • Unethical Action and Unnatural Behavior • Not Helping those in Need • Manipulating Other’s Behavior 13

ETHICAL ISSUES: 2 • Is “Ethical Neutrality” Unethical? • Use of Informants • Ethics of Reciprocity • Ethics of Compassion 14

ASSESSING VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY: 1 • Use multiple sources • Repeat questions later on • Ask about different circumstances • Look for exceptions 15

ASSESSING VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY: 2 • Compare informants with observers • Compare within observers and informants • Share doubts about validity and reliability 16