SOCW 671: Week 9

Discuss 3rd

Assignment

Qualitative Methods: Action Research Field Studies, Case Studies & Survey

Research

Qualitative Social Work Research

Goal is to find meaning, not quantify When in doubt, observe and ask questions No burden of proof, only want to experience

and understand

From Patton (2002)

Phases: A Very Brief History Traditional (up to WWII) – influenced by positivism, objectivity

in fieldwork Modernist (to the 1970s) – emphasis on rigor and formalism Blurred Genes (1970-1986) – alternative approaches emerged Crisis of Representation – focus on issues of power, privilege,

race, gender. Undermined traditions of validity and neutrality Fifth Movement – triple crisis of representation, legitimization,

and praxis in which process was examined. Importance of perspective and how to evaluate

Postexperimental – boundaries includes creative nonfiction, autobiographical, ethnography, poetic representations, and multi media presentations Denzin & Lincoln (2000)

Theoretical Underpinnings

Exploratory Lived experience Multiple realities Philosophical models

Constructivist – how people create reality Postmodernism – multiple realities and viewpoints

to oppression

Themes to Consider with Qualitative Inquiry

Design Strategies Data Collection and Fieldwork

Strategies Analysis Strategies

Design strategies

Naturalistic inquiry – real world situations as naturally unfold.

Emergent design flexibility – adapting inquiry as understanding deepens

Purposeful sampling – cases are selected because they are “information rich”

Data collection & fieldwork strategies Qualitative data – observations detailed, depth, direct

quotes, etc.

Personal experience and engagement – researcher in close contact, personal experiences and insights useful

Empathic neutrality and mindfulness – seeks vicarious understanding without judgment

Dynamic systems – attention to process, change ongoing, system and situation dynamics

Analysis strategies

Unique case orientation

Inductive analysis & creative analysis

Holistic perspective

Context sensitivity

Voice, perspective, and reflexivity

Qualitative Methods

Action ResearchField StudiesCase StudiesFocus GroupsContent Analysis

Action Research

Foundations of Action Research

Involves Change experiments on real problems in social

systems Iterative cycles of identifying a problem, planning,

acting and evaluating Re-education, or changing patterns of current

thinking with participation of client Challenges to status quo Simultaneous contributions to basic knowledge

and social action

Action Research Cycle

Pre-step: Context and purpose Main Steps

Diagnosing Planning action Taking action Evaluating action

Meta Learning Planning action Premise Taking action Process Evaluating action Content

Rigor in Action Research

As the researcher, demonstrate how you: Engage in multiple and repetitious action research

cycles Challenge and tested own assumptions and

interpretations Access differing views

Confirming interpretations Contradictory interpretations

Ground interpretations and diagnoses in scholarly theory

Experiential Learning in Action Research

As insider action researcher, you have a role in the organization, including: Experiencing Reflecting Interpreting Taking action

Reflection in Action Research

Stepping back from experience to process what it means

Two critical elements of self-reflection Ability to critique own thought process Attend to your feelings

Two useful constructs Noticing personal inferences and checking them Becoming aware of your distorting of reality

Journaling: Helps Action Researchers Develop Reflective Skills Helps reflect on own experiences Journal imposes discipline by providing a

Systematic record of events, dates & people Interpretative and self-evaluative account of

researcher’s experiences Way of dumping painful experiences Reflective account to tease out interpretations Analytic tool where data can be examined and

analyzed

Researching Own Organization

Focus of researcher and system Differentiate between researcher and system Determine whether for self-study or not

Role, access and pre-understanding Learning by both the system and self You are engaged in both:

1st person research – using pre-understanding for personal development

2nd person research – working on practical issues for organization with colleagues and relevant others

SOCW 671: Week 10

Field Studies Case Studies Focus Groups Survey Research

Topics Appropriate for Field Research

Topics defying simple quantification Attitudes and behaviors best

understood within their natural setting Social processes over time Purposive sampling methods used,

including Quota sampling Snowball sampling Deviant cases Critical incidents sampling Maximum variation sampling Homogeneous sampling

Case Study Research

Rationale for Case Study Research Having only one or a few cases, or

phenomenon that occurs rarely Investigating complex social phenomenon Finding how things are related in some

depth Discovering insights into the meanings

that people give to reality Embarking on a new line of inquiry

Focus of Case Studies

Study of individualsTypes of role relationshipsHistorical eventsOccupational categoriesCommunities or neighborhoodsVarious organizational settingsCategories of behaviors, norms, or

beliefs

Typically Choose This Design:

In settings where behavior takes place

Where you have collective or set of role relationships

Where you have thick descriptions or voluminous observational records

Rationale for Case Study Research

When have only one or a few cases For phenomenon that occurs rarely To investigate complex social issues How things are related in some depth To find insights into the meanings

people give to reality When embarking on a new line of

inquiry

Strengths of Case Studies

Greater detail about social phenomenon May lead to holistic & contextualized

characterization of a case Useful in exploratory research Useful in studying rare or inaccessible cases Less expensive than survey research Useful for detailed theoretical contrasts Allows for more dynamic process Useful for detailing a process over time

Weaknesses of Case Studies

Cannot be generalized Usually cannot use statistical tools Lack of control for what happens in field May require too much effort and skill Difficult to measure latent variables or

constructs Gaining entry may be difficult

Focus Groups

Typically includes 6 - 12 people Usually not representative of population Able to gather a large amount of

information in a brief period Commonly uses key informants Ask about 3 to 6 questions Record information

Content Analysis

Refers to data reduction and sense-making effort that takes qualitative material and attempts to identify core consistencies and meanings

Includes Text searching Analysis of text such as interviews, transcripts,

diaries Visual analysis of images

Topics Appropriate for Survey Research

Use individuals as the unit of analysis Collect original data on a population too

large to observe directly Measure attitudes and orientations in a

large population Use to describe, explore or explain Collect information with

Questionnaires Interviews

Self-administered Questionnaires

Mail distribution and return Include a cover letter Monitor returns Send follow-up mailings

Interview Surveys

Role of interviewer Rules for interviewing Appearance and demeanor Familiarity with questionnaire Follow question wording exactly Record responses exactly Probing for responses

Interview Surveys (continued)

Coordination and control Training interviewers Supervising interviewers

Telephone surveys Pluses and minuses Computer assistance

Comparing Self-administered Tests versus Interviews

Advantages of self-administered questionnaires

Cheaper and quicker Same cost for national or local survey Appropriate for sensitive issues Can offer anonymity

Advantages of Interviews

Fewer incomplete answers Higher return rate Interviewer can observe Appropriate for complicated issues Can conduct with a sample of

addresses

Strengths of Survey Research

Strengths Reliability Describes characteristics of a large

population Flexibility in analysis Same questions to all respondents Large samples

Weaknesses of Survey Research

Weaknesses Validity Standardization may yield superficiality Doesn’t deal with context Cannot be modified in the field Its artificial, it cannot measure action