Researching the city

Research methods of cultural studies

Summer school Popular culture & the city

Teaser

• Interest in culture, i.e. processes of meaning making

• But this culture is not necessarily our own (in terms of class, ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality etc).

• And we are aware of our and their particular position in the socio-political landscape

Outline

2. Qualitative research methods• The nature of…• Doing participant observation• Other forms of qualitative research

3. Doing cultural studies (discussion)• Distaste for rules• Interdisciplinary nature

4. A bit about me…

Linda DuitsAssistant Professor

Qualitative methods of communication research

Youth, religion and popular culture

• Headscarves and porno-chic

• Young evangelicals

Ethnographic approach

• Critical, respectful,

‘whole’ culture

Lecture

1. Qualitative research methods• The nature of…• Doing participant observation• Other forms

• What do you want to research?• Why would you want to do this?• How can you do this?

1. What am I interested in?

2. Choose a topic that has wider implications

3. Define a theoretical context

4. Be practical

doing research What?

doing research Why?

• Because you have to (i.e. contractor)

• For political reasons cultural studies

• Societal relevance

• Scientific relevance

• Processes of making meaning

• Interest in – people, – culture – understanding (verstehen)

Qualitative research methods

doing research How?

doing qualitative research What?

doing qualitative research What?

• Qualitative research = • An inductive research strategy, that emphasizes the social

construction of phenomena that can only be known through interpretation.

• Quantitative research =• A deductive research strategy, that emphasizes

quantifying phenomena in an objective reality.

doing qualitative research Why?

• Induction= theory derives from research

• Construction (ontology)= social properties are outcomes of interactions

• Interpretation (epistemology)= how people make sense of their social world

doing qualitative research How?

• Seeing through the eyes of those you study• Description of and emphasis on context• Emphasis on process• Flexibility and limited structure• Concepts and theory they are grounded in data Using qualitative research methods

doing participant observation What?• Method of data collection where the researcher immerses

him/herself for a prolonged period of time in a social setting • It implies

– Participation• Get active• Talk

– Observation• Look• Listen

doing participant observation Why?• Emphasis on data derived in context• Analysis of what people do and of what people

say (triangulation)• Relevant for those interested in culture (i.e.

groups, group processes etc instead of individuals – compare psychology and sociology)

doing participant observation How?• Participation only = not research• Observation only = does not fit with quali

• Roles change– Participant-as-observer– Observer-as-participant– Overt/covert

doing participant observation How?Topic list

• Research always start with a RQ• Research question

areas of interest subquestions

What do you want to know? What will you look/listen/ask for?

doing participant observation How?

Other forms of qualitative research What?

• Interviews

• Focus groups

• Existing documents

• Creative visual methods– Photovoice

Not discussed

• Doing qualitative analysis

Doing cultural studies Complexities• Interdisciplinary nature• Distaste for rules• Researching (and thus representing) the Other• Position of privileged researcher vis-à-vis

marginalized informant

Discuss this idea

Problematic yes or no?

Why (not)?

Any solutions or advice?

ConclusionYou now know:

• What qualitative research entails (globally)

• When to chose participant observation

You are now able to:

• Start your (first) participant observation

• Discuss the peculiarities of doing cultural studies research

More resources

• Recommended readingPractical, clear instructions

Davis, A. (2008). Investigating cultural producers.

Meyer, A. (2008). Investigating cultural consumers.

• Website Bryman bookhttp://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199202959/

See you soon!