PS 510 Qualitative Analysis Welcome to Seminar 6 with Dr. Eszter Barra- Johnson

Text Book Patton MQ (2002) Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3 rd ed.). Chapter 6. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Seminar 6 Topics We will explore 4 topics: We will explore 4 topics: What is the difference between a skilled and a non-skilled observer? What is the difference between a skilled and a non-skilled observer? Best practices in research are a concern for every research team. What are the benefits of solo research, and the collaborative approaches to observational inquiry? Are overt or covert approaches to research best? Best practices in research are a concern for every research team. What are the benefits of solo research, and the collaborative approaches to observational inquiry? Are overt or covert approaches to research best?

Seminar 6 Topics ctd 3. Social interactions are a large part of qualitative inquiry. How do individuals participate in social-ecological settings? How does this affect behavior? What is the difference between a planned versus a spontaneous group activity? How and why do you interpret non- verbal communication? How and why do you interpret non-events? How does insight affect this inquiry? 4. What are some design issues and options within the scope of your inquiry?

2. The Benefits of Solo Research Degrees of collaboration vary. A solo researcher completely control the inquiry. Degrees of collaboration vary. A solo researcher completely control the inquiry. Collaborators or co-researchers are fine, but this means to maintain control only over some parts of the tasks involved with the study, and to engage help from others to collect or analyze some or all of the data collected (p. 269). Collaborators or co-researchers are fine, but this means to maintain control only over some parts of the tasks involved with the study, and to engage help from others to collect or analyze some or all of the data collected (p. 269).

Overt versus Covert Approach Remember the Hawthorne Effect we have discussed in the seminar last week? People behave differently when they know they are being observed. This is one of the disadvantages of overt observation. Research findings are more accurate when the study is based on covert observation; however, there are unique ethical problems involved, insofar as to not telling the participants that they are under observation, especially, where private behavior is concerned p. 269). The debate is ongoing. Remember the Hawthorne Effect we have discussed in the seminar last week? People behave differently when they know they are being observed. This is one of the disadvantages of overt observation. Research findings are more accurate when the study is based on covert observation; however, there are unique ethical problems involved, insofar as to not telling the participants that they are under observation, especially, where private behavior is concerned p. 269). The debate is ongoing.

3. Social / Ecological Studies How do individuals participate in social- ecological settings? How does this affect behavior? How do individuals participate in social- ecological settings? How does this affect behavior? Misinformation, evasion, lies and fronts are 4 problems interfering with social / ecological studies, even if we don’t deceive or mislead the participants, but with overt research, these problems can have enormous magnitude. Nevertheless, the professional research association today condemn covert research methods (p. 270). Misinformation, evasion, lies and fronts are 4 problems interfering with social / ecological studies, even if we don’t deceive or mislead the participants, but with overt research, these problems can have enormous magnitude. Nevertheless, the professional research association today condemn covert research methods (p. 270).

What is the difference between a planned versus a spontaneous group activity? What is the difference between a planned versus a spontaneous group activity? Planned group activity is focusing on who is involved, where do activities take place, what are the individual variations to participation, and how does it make participants feel like that to be engaged in this planned activity. Planned activities have a clearly identifiable beginning, middle point and closure. Each unit of the activity or event is treated as a self-contained event with its own filed notes. Planned group activity is focusing on who is involved, where do activities take place, what are the individual variations to participation, and how does it make participants feel like that to be engaged in this planned activity. Planned activities have a clearly identifiable beginning, middle point and closure. Each unit of the activity or event is treated as a self-contained event with its own filed notes.

A spontaneous group activity builds on free or unstructured time periods in-between formal group activities. These provide valuable information through opportunity sampling. During this time, people may move in and out of the group room, but there are always some who wish to stick around, or ask questions. Watching, listening, and internally evaluating observations during this time can turn up important issues. A spontaneous group activity builds on free or unstructured time periods in-between formal group activities. These provide valuable information through opportunity sampling. During this time, people may move in and out of the group room, but there are always some who wish to stick around, or ask questions. Watching, listening, and internally evaluating observations during this time can turn up important issues.

1. The difference between a skilled and a non-skilled observer A skilled observer is someone who received training in conducting observational studies. A skilled observer is someone who received training in conducting observational studies. A non-skilled observer is a layperson who was asked to collaborate in partial data collection, and who has no formal training or understanding of the scope or features of the study. A non-skilled observer is a layperson who was asked to collaborate in partial data collection, and who has no formal training or understanding of the scope or features of the study. Both have both advantages and disadvantages. Can you mention some of these? Both have both advantages and disadvantages. Can you mention some of these?

How and why do you interpret non- verbal communication? Nonverbal communication is a valuable source of feedback, and in some studies, it may play the major role (it is what is being observed). Gesturing, fidgeting, facial expression, body posture, etc., tell the observer a lot about the general attention of the people in the same room. One thing to watch for, is cultural background. Tone of voice is also important, as we can say the same thing in many different tones of voice that disclose our emotional state. Nonverbal communication is a valuable source of feedback, and in some studies, it may play the major role (it is what is being observed). Gesturing, fidgeting, facial expression, body posture, etc., tell the observer a lot about the general attention of the people in the same room. One thing to watch for, is cultural background. Tone of voice is also important, as we can say the same thing in many different tones of voice that disclose our emotional state.

Non-verbal Communication ctd. People tend to evaluate non-verbal communication based on their own cultural expression. (Ethnocentric monoculturalism). Example: Japanese people don’t nod when they are in agreement, but shake their head left to right, and vice versa. Looking directly in the eyes of a conversation partner is considered impolite in Japan and many other cultures. People tend to evaluate non-verbal communication based on their own cultural expression. (Ethnocentric monoculturalism). Example: Japanese people don’t nod when they are in agreement, but shake their head left to right, and vice versa. Looking directly in the eyes of a conversation partner is considered impolite in Japan and many other cultures.

Non-Events How and why do you interpret non-events? Non- events are events, things, behaviors, interactions, etc., that would be expected to happen in similar social settings, based on previous research, but which you as a researcher or observer do not detect during the period of observation. How and why do you interpret non-events? Non- events are events, things, behaviors, interactions, etc., that would be expected to happen in similar social settings, based on previous research, but which you as a researcher or observer do not detect during the period of observation. For example, if under normal circumstances, there should be a conflict about water rights in a desert community, but there is none, that would be a non-event, and worthy of mentioning in the study. Water-rights are namely usually capable of turning even the best of friends and family members against one-another. For example, if under normal circumstances, there should be a conflict about water rights in a desert community, but there is none, that would be a non-event, and worthy of mentioning in the study. Water-rights are namely usually capable of turning even the best of friends and family members against one-another.

Insight and Non-Events The observer / researcher needs to have a keen understanding of the fine tunes and details of the observed situation, and using his / her instinct, put together a report or record of events and non-events so as to allowing the best use of the observed information and findings. This is almost like diagnosing skills in medical settings. The observer / researcher needs to have a keen understanding of the fine tunes and details of the observed situation, and using his / her instinct, put together a report or record of events and non-events so as to allowing the best use of the observed information and findings. This is almost like diagnosing skills in medical settings.

4. Design Options Observation, interviews and documentation reviews are all important design elements for qualitative research and can be present within the same project at the same time. Observations help us check on the reported phenomena from interviews; interviews help us go beyond the external behavior observed and explore these in depth. Documents and records may be erroneous, so both interviews and observations help select the usable data. Observation, interviews and documentation reviews are all important design elements for qualitative research and can be present within the same project at the same time. Observations help us check on the reported phenomena from interviews; interviews help us go beyond the external behavior observed and explore these in depth. Documents and records may be erroneous, so both interviews and observations help select the usable data.

Key Informants in Field Work Used for data collection about events the researcher can’t observe, because they either happened before this research was conducted (such as combat experience during a certain war), or it would be too dangerous for the researcher to include that type of observation in the field work (e.g., tornados of the magnitude that hit Joplin, MO on May 22 nd, 2011). Key informants are not only knowledgeable, but also willing to share their relevant experience (p. 320). Used for data collection about events the researcher can’t observe, because they either happened before this research was conducted (such as combat experience during a certain war), or it would be too dangerous for the researcher to include that type of observation in the field work (e.g., tornados of the magnitude that hit Joplin, MO on May 22 nd, 2011). Key informants are not only knowledgeable, but also willing to share their relevant experience (p. 320).

Key Informants ctd. Key informants need to be informed about the scope and main goals of the study, so they can better help by sharing relevant information. Key informants need to be informed about the scope and main goals of the study, so they can better help by sharing relevant information. They also are the persons the researcher may spend considerable time with (p. 321). Some anthropological studies are the best example for this. Can you think of a situation where key informants can deliver valuable data for the researcher? They also are the persons the researcher may spend considerable time with (p. 321). Some anthropological studies are the best example for this. Can you think of a situation where key informants can deliver valuable data for the researcher?

THE END This is what we had time for today. I hope you have enjoyed the seminar, and I look forward to seeing you next week in Seminar 7. Have a pleasant evening! Dr. E. :o)