Data collection

Data analysis in the research process Observed events and objects Constructs, variables Concepts Method Theories Epistemology Values, world view Records Findings Results Interpretations explanations Knowledge claims Value claims Research review Research design Data collection Data analysis Discussion Internal validity External validity Investi- gative lens Episte- mological lens Research question 2

Data collection Modality Interviews Focus groups Observations Meetings Training Tools Tape recording – Transcribing Interview reports – Interview guide Diary Field notes Taking pictutures – Documenting – Remembering – Illustrating

Interview design Planning Recruit according to what you want to find out – Stakeholders – Snowballing Interview guide – You get answers as you ask them – Open and closed questions – Probing

Conducting interviews The venue is important

Documenting interviews

Sharing and validation Can fieldnotes be shared? – Context is needed – Sharing in a team Fieldnotes versus empirical descriptions – Context, structure and interpretation Validation of data produced by participant observation? – Rich descriptions – Be clear about the context(s) of data production – Be clear about your role and be present in the text

Registrers

Activity plan

ANM diary

Mother & Child registrers

Engaged discussion

Training

The saw their own data

Letter on terms and conditions for the distributed SIM’s Note that in this letter ANM is provided with150 rupees per month in contrary to what is communicated to the ANMs today(100 rupees).

Participant observation Balancing distance and closeness –Participating and observing –Paying attention to what is taken for granted –The time aspect Interaction data –How people interact gives information about social structures and values –Enable us to study what cannot be articulated by the informants What people say vs. what they do –A gap between what people say and do often points to something important

The role of the researcher Producing data together with the informants –Mutual influence The researcher’s status and personality influence –gender, civil status, class, conduct –Dressing Which role to take? –Ethics Learning from your mistakes Use informants to discuss interpretations Participant observation in one’s own culture –How much is shared? –Active distancing – try to see things with fresh eyes

Writing fieldnotes Scratch notes Notes taken ”in action” Taking a break to take notes Pen and paper Recorder/mobile Cool quickly! Field notes Notes ”after action” Write ”everything” – you never know what may turn out important Remember the context Remember yourself Include reflections and interpretations, but keep them separate from the observations

References Ellen, R.F. 1984: Ch.8: Producing Data” in Ellen, R.F. Ethnographic Research. Academia Press Hume, L. and Mulcock, J. 2004: Anthropologists in the field. Cases in Participant Observation. Columbia University Press Narayan, K. 1993: ”How Native is a Native Anthropologist?” in American Anthropologist: Journal of the American Anthropological Association, nr Sanjek, R. 1990: ”A vocabulary for Fieldnotes” in Sanjek, R. (ed): Fieldnotes. The Makings of Anthropology. Cornell University Press Spradley, J. P. 1980: Participant observation. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers

Explorative interview tools Photo interviewsModelling, drawing