CHAPTER 10, QUALITATIVE FIELD RESEARCH Fall 2012.

CHAPTER 10, QUALITATIVE FIELD RESEARCH

Fall 2012

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

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Qualitative Field Research

Topics Appropriate for Field Research Topics that defy simply quantification

Attitudes and behaviors best understood in their natural setting

Social processes over time

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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

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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

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Some Qualitative Field Research Paradigms Naturalism Ethnomethodology Grounded Theory Case Studies Institutional Ethnography Participatory Action 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.

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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.

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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”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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Stages in Complete Interviewing Process1. Thematizing – clarifying the subjects to be studied

or explored2. Designing – laying out the process through which

you’ll accomplish your purpose3. Interviewing – doing the actual interviews4. Transcribing – written text of interviews5. Analyzing – determining the meaning6. Verifying – checking the reliability and validity of

the materials7. Reporting – telling others what you’ve learned

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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

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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

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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

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Validity Greater validity than survey and

experimental measurements

Reliability Potential problems with reliability

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Quick Quiz20


1. When you use field research, you’re confronted with:A. decisions about the role you’ll play as an observerB. your relationship with the people you are observingC. both of the above choicesD. neither of the above choices

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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.

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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.A. NaturalismB. EthnographyC. Ethnomethodology

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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.

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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.A. ReactivityB. SensitivityC. Hyperactivity

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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.

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4. In a _____, typically 12-15 people are brought together to engage in a guided discussion on some topic.A. classroomB. focus groupC. micro study

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ANSWER: B.In a focus group, typically 12-15 people are brought together to engage in a guided discussion on some topic.

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5. In comparison to surveys and experiments, field research has:A. high validity and high reliability.B. high validity and low reliability.C. low validity and high reliability.D. low validity and low reliability.

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ANSWER: B.In comparison to surveys and experiments, field research has high validity and low reliability.

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CHAPTER 10, QUALITATIVE FIELD RESEARCH Fall 2012.

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