1. Thinking Methodology 2 VBQU234 Undertake Academic Research

3. Thinking Phenomenologically

4. Quantitative Comparison of Research Approaches Number Point of View: Researcher Distant Static Structured Generalised Reliable Behaviour Artificial Macro Word Point of View: Participant Close Process Flexible Contextual Deep Meaning Natural Micro Qualitative

5. An inductive approach to theories and concepts Qual research focuses on VARIETY of the concept, how it ‘really is’ in the social world, how it is used to create meaning for people. NUANCES Indicators are seen as ‘straitjackets’ Charisma / leadership / enthusiasm / concentration / learning / anger / sensitivity / disbelief How would a qual researcher find these? Would they be so ‘one-dimensional’? Read Research in focus 16.1

6. Validity in Qualitative Research Validity means the integrity of the conclusions reached by your research Internal Validity: Congruence between data and theory and Analysis Seen as a strength of Qual. Participation ensures empathy External Validity: Can the results be generalised? Seen as a weakness of Qual. Case studies and personalisation / subjectivity Credibility: Trustworthiness Respondent validation Good practice - triangulation

7. Validity in Qualitative Research 2 Validity means the integrity of the conclusions reached by your research Transferable – thick description Seen as a weakness – do the findings hold in the same context elsewhere? THICK DESCRIPTIONS Read 16.3 / p. 387 Dependable and transparent Making transcripts available and peer reviewed All data is appendicle Make a Qualitative Quality Checklist: see pp 380-381 The checklist will be your RR criteria for assessment

8. Preoccupation # 1

9. Preoccupation # 2

10. Emerging Concepts – time for the researcher to revise their questions and do more research about things they had not thought of Process over time – people and change is a focus for ethnographers Preoccupation # 3

12. Public / Private / Networked

13. Overt Covert

14. Single Ongoing

15. Going Native

17. Focus Groups Conversation Analysis – recorded Set period of time – be flexible Pre-explained – researcher decides how much to reveal Guided by question sheet prepared by researcher Selection criteria for group members Background for each member of the group Age / sex / occupation / postcode / education etc Code each participant by voice Transcribe as group and as participant (2 types of transcription) Intra – group observations: the participants’ interaction with each other

18. Read chapter 18 to cover all practical aspects of interviews. Write up 5 questions in the styles shown in the reading that are relevant to your line of enquiry. To whom would you ask these? Life Histories & Interviews

19. Talking Methods In pairs, hold a discussion about each Report back to the class. What is your research project about? What is the context you are looking at? What quantitative data collection would you choose? Why? What are you looking for? What qualitative data method would you choose?

20. Identify possible Qualitative Methods for your project stating advantages Read up on interview techniques: chapter 18 in Bryman Download and begin your presentation preparation REVIEW RESEARCH QUESTION Homework

21. Presentation Prep: presenting well in academic contexts & Method statements Next Week: Workshop