Qualitative Field ResearchQualitative Field Research

Babbie Chp 10Babbie Chp 10

Chapter OutlineChapter Outline

IntroductionIntroduction Topics Appropriate to Field ResearchTopics Appropriate to Field Research Special Considerations in Qualitative Field Special Considerations in Qualitative Field

ResearchResearch Some Qualitative Field Research Some Qualitative Field Research

ParadigmsParadigms

Chapter OutlineChapter Outline

Conducting Qualitative Field ResearchConducting Qualitative Field Research Strengths and Weaknesses or Qualitative Strengths and Weaknesses or Qualitative

Field Research Field Research Research Ethics in Qualitative Field Research Ethics in Qualitative Field

ResearchResearch Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative

Field ResearchField Research

Topics for Field ResearchTopics for Field Research

Attitudes and behaviors best understood in Attitudes and behaviors best understood in a natural setting.a natural setting.

Social processes over time.Social processes over time.

QuestionQuestion

Why is field research appropriate to research Why is field research appropriate to research topics that defy simple quantification?topics that defy simple quantification?

A.A. field researchers may recognize several nuances of field researchers may recognize several nuances of attitude that might escape researchers using other attitude that might escape researchers using other methods.methods.

B.B. field research is appropriate to the study of those attitudes field research is appropriate to the study of those attitudes best understood within their natural setting.best understood within their natural setting.

C.C. field research is well suited to the study of social field research is well suited to the study of social processes over time.processes over time.

D.D. all of these choicesall of these choices

Answer: DAnswer: D

Field research is appropriate to research topics Field research is appropriate to research topics that defy simple quantification because that defy simple quantification because field field researchers may recognize several nuances researchers may recognize several nuances of attitude that might escape researchers of attitude that might escape researchers using other methodsusing other methods, , field research is field research is appropriate to the study of those attitudes appropriate to the study of those attitudes best understood within their natural settingbest understood within their natural setting, , and and field research is well suited to the study field research is well suited to the study of social processes over timeof social processes over time..

Elements of Social Life Appropriate to Elements of Social Life Appropriate to Field ResearchField Research

Practices: talking, reading a bookPractices: talking, reading a book Episodes: divorce, crime, illnessEpisodes: divorce, crime, illness Encounters: people meeting and Encounters: people meeting and

interactinginteracting Role: occupations, family rolesRole: occupations, family roles Relationships: friendships, familyRelationships: friendships, family

Elements of Social Life Appropriate to Elements of Social Life Appropriate to Field ResearchField Research

Groups: cliques, teams, work groupsGroups: cliques, teams, work groups Organizations: hospitals, schoolsOrganizations: hospitals, schools Settlements: neighborhoods, ghettoesSettlements: neighborhoods, ghettoes Social worlds: "wall street", "the sports Social worlds: "wall street", "the sports

world“world“ Lifestyles (subcultures): urban, homelessLifestyles (subcultures): urban, homeless

Field Research ParadigmsField Research Paradigms

NaturalismNaturalism EthnomethodologyEthnomethodology Grounded theoryGrounded theory Case studies and the extended case Case studies and the extended case

methodmethod Institutional ethnographyInstitutional ethnography Participatory action researchParticipatory action research

Preparing for Field WorkPreparing for Field Work

Fill in your knowledge of the subject.Fill in your knowledge of the subject. Discuss the group you plan to research Discuss the group you plan to research

with an informant.with an informant. Develop an identity with the people to be Develop an identity with the people to be

studied.studied. Realize that your initial contact with the Realize that your initial contact with the

group can influence your observations.group can influence your observations.

QuestionQuestion

When you use field research, you’re When you use field research, you’re confronted with:confronted with:

A.A. decisions about the role you’ll play as an decisions about the role you’ll play as an observerobserver

B.B. your relations with the people you’re observingyour relations with the people you’re observingC.C. both a and bboth a and bD.D. none of these choicesnone of these choices

Answer: CAnswer: C

When you use field research, you’re When you use field research, you’re confronted with confronted with decisions about the role decisions about the role you’ll play as an observeryou’ll play as an observer, and , and your your relations with the people you’re relations with the people you’re observingobserving..

ReactivityReactivity

The problem that the subjects of social The problem that the subjects of social research may react to the fact of being research may react to the fact of being studied, thus altering their behavior from studied, thus altering their behavior from what it would have been normally.what it would have been normally.

NaturalismNaturalism

Approach to field research based on the Approach to field research based on the assumption that an objective social reality assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported exists and can be observed and reported accurately.accurately.

EthnographyEthnography

A report on social life that focuses on A report on social life that focuses on detailed and accurate description rather detailed and accurate description rather than explanation.than explanation.

EthnomethodologyEthnomethodology

An approach to the study of social life that An approach to the study of social life that focuses on the discovery of implicit, focuses on the discovery of implicit, usually unspoken assumptions and usually unspoken assumptions and agreements.agreements.

Grounded TheoryGrounded Theory

An inductive approach to the study of An inductive approach to the study of social life that attempts to generate a social life that attempts to generate a theory from the constant comparing of theory from the constant comparing of unfolding observations.unfolding observations.

QuestionQuestion

__________ is an old tradition in qualitative __________ is an old tradition in qualitative research based on the assumption that an research based on the assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported accurately.observed and reported accurately.

A.A. naturalismnaturalism

B.B. ethnographyethnography

C.C. ethnomethodologyethnomethodology

D.D. none of these choicesnone of these choices

Answer: AAnswer: A

NaturalismNaturalism is an old tradition in qualitative is an old tradition in qualitative research based on the assumption that an research based on the assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported accurately.observed and reported accurately.

Guidelines for Grounded TheoryGuidelines for Grounded Theory

Grounded theory allows the researcher to Grounded theory allows the researcher to be scientific and creative at the same time, be scientific and creative at the same time, as long as these guidelines are followed:as long as these guidelines are followed: Think comparatively.Think comparatively. Obtain multiple viewpoints.Obtain multiple viewpoints. Periodically step back.Periodically step back. Maintain an attitude of skepticism.Maintain an attitude of skepticism. Follow the research procedures.Follow the research procedures.

Case StudiesCase Studies

In-depth examination of a single instance In-depth examination of a single instance of some social phenomenon, such as a of some social phenomenon, such as a village, a family, or a juvenile gang.village, a family, or a juvenile gang.

Extended case methodExtended case method Technique in which case study observations Technique in which case study observations

are used to discover flaws in and to improve are used to discover flaws in and to improve existing social theories.existing social theories.

Institutional EthnographyInstitutional Ethnography

Research technique in which the personal Research technique in which the personal experiences of individuals are used to experiences of individuals are used to reveal power relationships and other reveal power relationships and other characteristics of the institutions within characteristics of the institutions within which they operate.which they operate.

Participatory Action ResearchParticipatory Action Research

Approach to social research in which the Approach to social research in which the people being studied are given control people being studied are given control over the purpose and procedures of the over the purpose and procedures of the research.research. Intended as a counter to the implicit view that Intended as a counter to the implicit view that

researchers are superior to those they study.researchers are superior to those they study.

Seven Stages of InterviewingSeven Stages of Interviewing

1.1. Thematizing Thematizing

2.2. DesignDesign

3.3. InterviewingInterviewing

4.4. TranscribingTranscribing

Seven Stages of InterviewingSeven Stages of Interviewing

5.5. AnalyzingAnalyzing

6.6. Verifying and checking factsVerifying and checking facts

7.7. Reporting Reporting

Qualitative InterviewQualitative Interview

An interaction between an interviewer and An interaction between an interviewer and a respondent in which the interviewer has a respondent in which the interviewer has a general plan of inquiry but not a specific a general plan of inquiry but not a specific set of questions that must be asked with set of questions that must be asked with particular words and in a particular order.particular words and in a particular order.

Focus GroupFocus Group

A group of people are brought together in A group of people are brought together in a room to engage in guided discussion of a room to engage in guided discussion of a topic.a topic.

QuestionQuestion

A ______________ is an interaction between A ______________ is an interaction between an interviewer and a respondent in which the an interviewer and a respondent in which the interviewer has a general plan of inquiry, but interviewer has a general plan of inquiry, but not a set of questions that must be asked with not a set of questions that must be asked with particular words in a particular order.particular words in a particular order.

A.A. questionnaire projectquestionnaire projectB.B. field research projectfield research projectC.C. quantitative interviewquantitative interviewD.D. qualitative interviewqualitative interviewE.E. none of these choicesnone of these choices

Answer: DAnswer: D

A A qualitative interviewqualitative interview is an interaction is an interaction between an interviewer and a respondent between an interviewer and a respondent in which the interviewer has a general plan in which the interviewer has a general plan of inquiry, but not a set of questions that of inquiry, but not a set of questions that must be asked with particular words in a must be asked with particular words in a particular order.particular order.

Advantages of Focus GroupsAdvantages of Focus Groups

Socially oriented research methodSocially oriented research method FlexibleFlexible High face validityHigh face validity Speedy resultsSpeedy results Low in costLow in cost

Disadvantages of Focus GroupsDisadvantages of Focus Groups

Less control than individual interviews.Less control than individual interviews. Data can be difficult to analyze.Data can be difficult to analyze. Moderators must be skilled.Moderators must be skilled.

Disadvantages of Focus GroupsDisadvantages of Focus Groups

Difference between groups can be Difference between groups can be troublesome.troublesome.

Groups are difficult to assemble.Groups are difficult to assemble. Discussion must be conducted in a Discussion must be conducted in a

conducive environment.conducive environment.

Guidelines - Taking Research Guidelines - Taking Research NotesNotes

Don’t trust your memory. Take notes while Don’t trust your memory. Take notes while you observe.you observe.

Take sketchy notes in the field and rewrite Take sketchy notes in the field and rewrite them later, filling in the details.them later, filling in the details.

Guidelines - Taking Research Guidelines - Taking Research NotesNotes

Record everything.Record everything.• Things that don't seem important may turn out Things that don't seem important may turn out

to be significant.to be significant. Realize that most of your field notes will Realize that most of your field notes will

not be reflected in your final project.not be reflected in your final project.

Strengths of Field ResearchStrengths of Field Research

Permits a great depth of understanding.Permits a great depth of understanding. Flexibility - research may be modified at Flexibility - research may be modified at

any time.any time. InexpensiveInexpensive Has more validity than surveys or Has more validity than surveys or

experiments.experiments.

Weaknesses of Field ResearchWeaknesses of Field Research

Qualitative and not appropriate for Qualitative and not appropriate for statistical descriptions of populations.statistical descriptions of populations.

Has potential problems with reliability Has potential problems with reliability since field research methods are often since field research methods are often personal.personal.

Is It Ethical?Is It Ethical?

To talk to people when they don't know To talk to people when they don't know you will be recording their words?you will be recording their words?

To get information for your own purposes To get information for your own purposes from people you hate?from people you hate?

To see a severe need for help and not To see a severe need for help and not respond to it directly?respond to it directly?

Is It Ethical?Is It Ethical?

To be in a situation but not commit To be in a situation but not commit yourself wholeheartedly to it?yourself wholeheartedly to it?

To be strategic in your relations with To be strategic in your relations with others?others?

To take sides or avoid taking sides in a To take sides or avoid taking sides in a factionalized situation?factionalized situation?

Is It Ethical?Is It Ethical?

To "pay" people with tradeoffs for access To "pay" people with tradeoffs for access to their lives and minds?to their lives and minds?

To "use" people as allies or informants in To "use" people as allies or informants in order to gain entrée to other people or to order to gain entrée to other people or to elusive understandings? elusive understandings?

Quick QuizQuick Quiz

1. _________________ describes when 1. _________________ describes when the subjects of social research may react the subjects of social research may react to the fact of being studied, thus altering to the fact of being studied, thus altering their behavior from what it would have their behavior from what it would have been normally.been normally.

A.A. reactivityreactivity

B.B. sensitivitysensitivity

C.C. hyperactivityhyperactivity

D.D. all of these choicesall of these choices

Answer: AAnswer: A

ReactivityReactivity describes when the subjects describes when the subjects of social research may react to the fact of of social research may react to the fact of being studied, thus altering their behavior being studied, thus altering their behavior from what it would have been normally.from what it would have been normally.

2. The naturalist approach is based on 2. The naturalist approach is based on telling “their” stories the way they “really telling “their” stories the way they “really are,” not the way the ethnographer are,” not the way the ethnographer understands “them.”understands “them.”

A.A. TrueTrue

B.B. FalseFalse

Answer: TrueAnswer: True

• The naturalist approach is based on telling The naturalist approach is based on telling “their” stories the way they “really are,” not “their” stories the way they “really are,” not the way the ethnographer understands the way the ethnographer understands “them.”“them.”

3. In a ____________, typically 12 to 15 3. In a ____________, typically 12 to 15 people are brought together to engage people are brought together to engage in a guided discussion of some topic.in a guided discussion of some topic.

A.A. classroomclassroom

B.B. focus groupfocus group

C.C. micro studymicro study

D.D. none of these choicesnone of these choices

Answer: BAnswer: B

In a In a focus groupfocus group, typically 12 to 15 , typically 12 to 15 people are brought together to engage in people are brought together to engage in a guided discussion of some topic.a guided discussion of some topic.