Data Collection technologies INFO 272. Qualitative Research Methods 10 April 2008 Data Collection technologies

Data Collection Formats Text Audio Images Video

Epistemic Cultures [Knorr-Cetina] How knowledge is established within different organizations The role of different data formats (and ways of presenting that data) in establishing knowledge Also, presentation practices

Corporate vs. Academic Research Different research communities (in the sciences) have different standards of evidence different tools and procedures accept/expect different presentation formats.

Fallacies of imagery Uses and abuses of ‘Naïve realism’ Interpretation of imagery is apparent and invariant Nafus and Anderson point out how corporate ethnography employs both fallacies in its ‘brand.’

Resistance to being photographed Can present rapport problems Technology interventions as data – what happens when you attempt to take a photo?

Representation

Exploitation

Consent

Context

Local Conventions

Video – Why? To capture complex actions that are difficult for an observer to document comprehensively as they unfold – for analysis. To create more compelling, engaging presentations But don’t confuse the two

Video – Why Not? - equipment expense Before Fieldwork During Fieldwork After Fieldwork - equipment expense - discomfort / objections of interviewees - carrying equipment - keeping equipment running - difficulty with browsing, coding video data - editing is time consuming

Questions to ask? Will the use of a visual record make an important improvement to my research output? Have I calculated the time needed to process the resulting data? Have I designed a friendly logging/cataloguing system? [Source: Loizos, in Bauer and Gaskell, pg. 106]

In summary “an emerging, global visual literacy that is no longer purely receptive, but actively aware of how images are used to construct perspectives, be they aligned with the will of those portrayed or not.” – [Hasbrouck and Faulkner pg. 249]