Field Research (質化田野研究、田野調查) Social Research Methods 2113 & 6501 Spring, 2007 April 30, 2007

Part II Observing and Collecting Data The Field Research Interview Leaving the field Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research

Observing and Collecting Data Field data: what you experience, remember, and record in field notes (田野資料:你經歷的、記得的、記錄下來的資料) Observing: pay close attention, watch, and listen carefully (detailed and tedious work) Scrutinizes the physical setting (仔細檢視週遭環境) Observe people and their actions The context Serendipity: 1) keen observation and excellent notes; 2) appreciate wait time Listening Argot (行話): 人們互動一段時間之後，會發展出彼此共享的符號或特定名詞，創造出新的字詞或賦予一般字詞新的意義。研究者要找出這些行話如何被運用在社會關係或意義中。

Taking Notes Most field data are in the form of field notes. (大部分的田野資料以田野筆記呈現) Writing requires self-discipline: writing immediately after leaving the setting (田野筆記的記錄需要自我紀律: 離開場域後馬上寫筆記) Notes: neat and organized

Taking Notes Types of Notes Maps and Diagrams Jotted notes (written in the field) (隨手筆記) Direct observation notes (直接觀察的筆記) Researcher inference notes (研究者推論筆記) Analytical notes (分析筆記): methodological ideas, plans, tactics, procedural decisions, etc. Personal notes (個人筆記): personal feelings and emotional reactions Maps and Diagrams

Taking Notes Types of Notes Maps and Diagrams Jotted notes (written in the field) (隨手筆記) Direct observation notes (直接觀察的筆記) Researcher inference notes (研究者推論筆記) Analytical notes (分析筆記): methodological ideas, plans, tactics, procedural decisions, etc. Personal notes (個人筆記): personal feelings and emotional reactions Maps and Diagrams Machine Recordings to Supplement Memory (注意: 逐字稿不能取代田野筆記或研究者在場域內實際的經驗) Interview Notes (訪談筆記): date, place of interview, characteristics of interviewee, content of the interview, etc. Record all the details (記錄儘可能詳實) But select and use only “the gold”

Data Quality of Field Research The meaning of quality: captures members’ social interaction and interpretation of social life, and provides an understanding of the member’s viewpoint (資料的品質: 抓住成員的社會互動及對生活的詮釋，提供對成員觀點的了解)

Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Field Research Reliability: a potential problem with reliability Internal consistency (內在一致性): data plausible? External consistency (外在一致性): verifying or cross-checking observations with other sources of data Depending on a researcher’s insight, awareness, suspicions, and questions Evaluate members’ credibility: consider subjectivity and context

Validity and Reliability in Qualitative Field Research Validity: accurate representations of the social worlds in the field Replicability is not a criterion Four kinds of validity or tests of research accuracy Ecological validity (生態效度) Natural history (自然歷史) Member validation (成員檢視) Competent insider performance (夠水準的圈內人的表現)

Focusing and Sampling in Field Research Focusing: gets a general picture first, then focuses on a few specific problems or issues

Focusing and Sampling in Field Research Sampling: theoretical sampling, snowball sampling A researcher samples: times, situations, types of events (routine, special, and unanticipated) , locations, types of people, or contexts of interest

The Field Research Interview The field interview: unstructured, nondirective, in-depth (非結構性、非指導性的深入訪談) Members actively participate A mutual sharing of experiences between members and researchers Members express themselves in the way they usually speak, think, and organize Occur in a series over time Differs from a friendly conversation Watching for “markers” (訪談時受訪者不經意提起的過往事情，通常代表著重要事件或情感)

The Field Research Interview Types of questions asked: descriptive, structural and contrast questions (依序問描述性、結構性、對照性的問題) 擅用追問(probe)的技巧 Informants: a member who informs a researcher about the field Interview context: usually in members’ home environment See Table 13.1 in page 407.

Leaving the field The end of research may be difficult for a field researcher. The exit process depends on the specific field setting and the relationships developed. Leaving the field affects both researchers and members.

Focus Groups (焦點團體訪談法) People are informally “interviewed” in a group-discussion setting 6-12 persons in a room with a moderator to discuss a few issues Homogenous members, but no close friends and relatives Often combine focus groups with quantitative research Be aware of advantages and limitations (p. 412)

Ethical Dilemmas of Field Research Deception (欺騙) Confidentiality (保密) Involvement with Deviants The Powerful Publishing Field Reports: may ask members to verify

Field Research Begins data analysis and theorizing during the data collection phase The researcher directly involves with members in a natural setting Requires a combination of skills Select appropriate research questions