Methodology in Political Science: Qualitative Research Methods October 29, 2014 By Hung-jen Wang 王宏仁

I. Field Research: Overseas Field Research Today’s Outline I. Field Research: Overseas Field Research Identifying a site and funding source Predeparture preparations The logistics of fieldwork II. Interviewing and Sampling

(5) Personal and family concerns; personal and professional concerns are difficult to disentangle

Exploratory research trips: do exploratory research before making a longer-term commitment To consider such trips as an investment To spend a few weeks To establish collaborative affiliations To build contacts (other local researcher or prospective assistants) To familiarize yourself with the research sites To investigate living conditions To find out logistical support  After the trip, you can refine your original theoretical models or projects

Language training: scholars now still dispute whether competence in the native language of a research site is necessary Whether to study language in-country or at home To develop minimal necessary competency in native language To hire a translator

Finding funding: selecting a site and finding funding are interrelated Apply early, apply often Make time for fundraising Study the criteria of each agency Write and revise a good proposal: (1) a clear and concise statement of the question; (2) identify the interests and objectives of the funding agency; (3) letters of recommendation from host institutions; (4) be realistic about research design; (5) plan a research project budget (budgetary requirements, expenses by category, regular reporting)

2) Predeparture preparations

3) The logistics of fieldwork

II. Interviewing and Sampling

Types of Interview Journalistic style ======== ethnographic style Unstructured interview==semi-structured== Structured Unstructured: Often used by ethnographers; conversations; “soaking and poking”; with only limited knowledge Structured: knows a lot about the subject; closed- ended; public opinion surveys Semi-structured: combines the above two types; with open-ended questions; used in elite interviewing

Techniques for Semistructured Interviews (1) Gaining Rapport: Putting respondents at ease Are you listening? Question order “Presuming” questions

Techniques for Semistructured Interviews (2) Types of questions: Grand tour questions (including specific grand tour, guided grand tour, and task- related grand tour) Example questions (including native language questions, hypothetical interaction questions, and structural questions) Prompts (including planned prompts, informal prompts, and floating prompts) Enough is enough

“We’ve been talking about your advocacy efforts on this issue and you have mentioned that you sent a letter to members on the committee, visited with members of the congressional delegation from your district, and put information on your website. Now I want to ask you a slightly different kind of question. I’m interested in getting a list of all the different types of advocacy activities your organization has undertaken in relation to this issue. This might take a little time, but I’d like to know all the different types and what you would call them.”

Sampling Representation Your sample Population

Elite interview and sampling Two sampling errors: (1) random error; (2) nonrandom error