Class 15Class OutlineMini ProjectWhat is Field Research?Qualitative Research vs. Quantitative ResearchQualitative ResearchQuestions and Topics Appropriate for Field ResearchQualitative MethodsParticipant ObservationKey Issues in Doing Participant ObservationSlide 11Systematic ObservationTypes of InterviewsAn Example Interview GuideFocus GroupsSlide 16Analyzing Qualitative DataAdvantages and Disadvantages of Field ResearchClass 15Qualitative Field ResearchClass Outline•Mini-Project•What is Field Research?•Methods of Qualitative Research•Advantages and DisadvantagesMini Project •2 Options - with 1~2 other students or by yourself•Email me by March 29 your choice and your research topic.–If you choose group project, tell me your partners.–If you choose individual project, tell me whether you would like to present to class.•You may collect data using any method we’ve learned in class. If you decide to conduct a secondary analysis, you might want to use a data set from http://sda.berkeley.edu:7502/archive.htmWhat is Field Research?•“Field research implies an attempt to develop an understanding of human behavior as it is defined by the subjects themselves and/or as it is related to the situation in which it occurs.”•Thus, field research often requires observation in natural settings.•An example – the Case of Agnes (Garfinkel 1967)Qualitative Research vs. Quantitative ResearchQualitative QuantitativeType of Data Text NumericalResearch questionsUnderstanding, meaningsExplanation, predictionTheoretical traditionsInterpretive PositivistResearch model Inductive Hypothetico-deductiveQualitative Research•Attitudes and behaviors best understood in a natural setting.•Research that delves in depth into complexities and processes.•Research for which relevant variables haven’t been identified.•Small-scale analysis.Questions and Topics Appropriate for Field Research•Practices: talking, reading a book•Episodes: divorce, crime, illness•Encounters: people meeting and interacting•Role: occupations, family roles•Relationships: friendships, mother-son•Groups: cliques, teams, work groups•Organizations: hospitals, schools•Settlements: neighborhoods, ghettoes•Social worlds: "wall street", "the sports world“•Lifestyles (or subcultures): urban, homelessQualitative Methods •Observation/Participant Observation•Interviews•Focus Groups•Analyzing texts and documents•Recording and Transcribing It is important to understand that in many cases these methods are combined, and when this is done we often call it a case study or an ethnography, and this may well involve use of all, or some of the above methods.Participant Observation•A qualitative method of gathering data that involves developing a sustained relationship with people while they go about their normal activities. •“Seeing” through the eyes of others•Providing detailed description•Field notes•Examples–Sidewalk by Mitch Duneier–Street Corner Society by WhyteKey Issues in Doing Participant Observation•Choosing a role, degree of participation–Two extremes •Complete observer•Covert participant•Issue of objectivity – the tension between detachment and immersion•Problem of entry•Is it ethical?Systematic Observation•Observations can be made in a more systematic, quantitative design that allows systematic comparisons.•E.g. Sampson and Raudenbush (1999) systematically coded video tapes of Chicago neighborhoods.Types of Interviews•Structured - schedule of questions wording and order adhered to for all respondents.•Semi-structured - Use certain specific questions, but free to probe beyond if see fit•Unstructured - work from list of questions/topics, order and how asked up to interviewer, greater latitude to develop ideasAn Example Interview Guide1. A DAY AT WORK•Ask R [the respondent] to walk you through a day at work – the previous day, if possible. When did R get in? What happened then? When did R leave? What thoughts on leaving? Did R take work home?2. TASKS AT WORK•Where is R in the work flow system? How does R’s work come to him – who brings it or assigns it, and how? How does what R does involve him with others?•Describe R’s relationships with supervisors, peers, subordinates, and clients – as they are typically, as they are at their best, and as they are at their worst. 3. HOW R CAME TO THIS WORK•What led R to his current line of work? (We don’t need a detailed work history; a summary is good enough.)•Find out how R came to his current job and what his feelings about his current job are.4. GRATIFICATIONS AND BURDENS OF WORK•What is R going for in his work? Obtain incidents in which R’s work was gratifying to him. What were the gratifications? If not noted, ask about challenge, achievements, contributions.•What does R have in mind as he does his work? Instances of “flow”? Ask, if appropriate, “Can you think of a time when you lost yourself in your work?”Focus Groups•What are focus groups?–A focus group is a concentrated discussion, normally on one topic.–The researcher acts as a moderator.–Based on the premise that opinions are malleable and dynamic.•1~2 hours.•7~10 people.Focus Groups•Participants should come from reasonably homogeneous groups in terms of gender, class, ethnicity or experiences.•Participants usually do not know each other.•Differences of opinion are invited, and seen as important.Analyzing Qualitative Data•Initial coding •Focused coding•Writing memosAdvantages and Disadvantages of Field
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