PS 510 Qualitative Analysis Welcome to Seminar 3 with Dr. Eszter Barra-Johnson

Seminar Topic 1. In this seminar, we will first discuss the theoretical traditions in qualitative inquiry. In this seminar, we will first discuss the theoretical traditions in qualitative inquiry. Go to pages in your textbook and look at Exhibit 3.6 There are 16 different perspectives listed there; but we will only concentrate on the most important ones in this seminar.

The cornerstones of qualitative inquiry The cornerstones of qualitative inquiry are: phenomenology, heuristics, and grounded theory. Let us take a look at each of these three theories.

Phenomenological Analysis (PA) This #5 in the list, on page 132 This #5 in the list, on page 132 The disciplinary roots are found in Philosophy The disciplinary roots are found in Philosophy The central questions are the meaning, structure and essence of lived experienced as observed by a particular group of people or the individual you wish to include in your research. The name is derived from phenomenon (or, in plural: phenomena). The central questions are the meaning, structure and essence of lived experienced as observed by a particular group of people or the individual you wish to include in your research. The name is derived from phenomenon (or, in plural: phenomena).

Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) A variation to PA, this differs from other approaches in that it combines psychological, interpretative and idiographic components. Ideographic just means, it offers insights into how a given person, in a given context, makes sense of a given phenomenon, related to experiences of some personal significance (a major life changing event, or the development of an important relationship). Its theoretical origins are in Phenonemology and Hermeneutics. A variation to PA, this differs from other approaches in that it combines psychological, interpretative and idiographic components. Ideographic just means, it offers insights into how a given person, in a given context, makes sense of a given phenomenon, related to experiences of some personal significance (a major life changing event, or the development of an important relationship). Its theoretical origins are in Phenonemology and Hermeneutics. Smith, J.A. (2007). Hermeneutics, human sciences and health: Linking theory and practice. International Journal Of Qualitative Studies On Health And Well-Being, 2, 3-11 Smith, J.A. (2007). Hermeneutics, human sciences and health: Linking theory and practice. International Journal Of Qualitative Studies On Health And Well-Being, 2, 3-11

Hermeneutics Hermeneutics = making sense of a written text Not looking for objective meaning of text, but meaning of text for people in situation. Try to bracket self out in analysis - tell their story, not yours. Use their words, less interpretive than other approaches. ds.pdf

Examples for Phrenomenological Studies (1) What is the essence of peoples' experience of the death of a loved one? (1) What is the essence of peoples' experience of the death of a loved one? (2) Feeling anxious and overwhelmed during the first date (2) Feeling anxious and overwhelmed during the first date (3) How does losing one’s job after more than 10 years at the same company, affect people emotionally? (3) How does losing one’s job after more than 10 years at the same company, affect people emotionally?

Heuristics This is #6 in the list, on page 132 This is #6 in the list, on page 132 The disciplinary roots are found in Humanistic Psychology. The disciplinary roots are found in Humanistic Psychology. The central questions are, what is the researcher’s own experience, and the experience of others who go through this phenomenon intensively. The central questions are, what is the researcher’s own experience, and the experience of others who go through this phenomenon intensively. Heuristics are applicable to all topics in Psychology and social sciences that are open to empirical research.

Heuristic Analysis ctd. Some sources put an equation sign between the phenomenological and heuristic approach. Heuristic approach emphasizes the effects of research experience on the researcher, so it is a personal experience regarding the research that is the focus of the study. Some sources put an equation sign between the phenomenological and heuristic approach. Heuristic approach emphasizes the effects of research experience on the researcher, so it is a personal experience regarding the research that is the focus of the study.

Example for Heuristic Analysis Any research project that focuses on how researching a particular topic affects you, the researcher. For example, writing a research project about the process of library research, including your frustrations, wins, lost data files, and so on. :o) Any research project that focuses on how researching a particular topic affects you, the researcher. For example, writing a research project about the process of library research, including your frustrations, wins, lost data files, and so on. :o)

Grounded Theory This is #15 in the list, on page 133 This is #15 in the list, on page 133 The disciplinary roots are social sciences and research methodology. The disciplinary roots are social sciences and research methodology. The central questions are, what theories emerge from systematic comparative analysis and field-work, that would explain the observed phenomena? The central questions are, what theories emerge from systematic comparative analysis and field-work, that would explain the observed phenomena?

Grounded Theory ctd. It is a research method that operates almost in a reverse fashion from traditional research and at first may appear to be in contradiction of the scientific method. Rather than beginning by researching and developing a hypothesis, the first step is data collection, through a variety of methods. From the data collected, the key points are marked with a series of codes, which are extracted from the text. The advantage is to be free of pre-conceptipns regarding the findings (researcher bias). [Developed by Glaser and Strauss] Can be applied to Quantitative Data Analysis, too. It is a research method that operates almost in a reverse fashion from traditional research and at first may appear to be in contradiction of the scientific method. Rather than beginning by researching and developing a hypothesis, the first step is data collection, through a variety of methods. From the data collected, the key points are marked with a series of codes, which are extracted from the text. The advantage is to be free of pre-conceptipns regarding the findings (researcher bias). [Developed by Glaser and Strauss] Can be applied to Quantitative Data Analysis, too.

More about Grounded Theory The codes are grouped into similar concepts in order to make them more workable. From these concepts, categories are formed, which are the basis for the creation of a theory, or a reverse engineered hypothesis. This contradicts the traditional model of research, where the researcher chooses a theoretical framework, and only then applies this model to the studied phenomenon. The codes are grouped into similar concepts in order to make them more workable. From these concepts, categories are formed, which are the basis for the creation of a theory, or a reverse engineered hypothesis. This contradicts the traditional model of research, where the researcher chooses a theoretical framework, and only then applies this model to the studied phenomenon. Allan, G. (2003). A critique of using grounded theory as a research method, Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods, 2(1), pp

Example for Grounded Theory Just about anything you may think of! Just about anything you may think of! See Glaser, B.G. (Ed). More Grounded Theory Methodology: A Reader. Sociology Press, See Glaser, B.G. (Ed). More Grounded Theory Methodology: A Reader. Sociology Press, 1994.

Is one perspective more beneficial than another? Not really. You need to carefully match your planned study with the closest fit regarding methodology. Not really. You need to carefully match your planned study with the closest fit regarding methodology.

How does the central question help outline the qualitative inquiry? By exploring the central question(s) for each perspective presented in the table on page 132, you can easily find the best approach for your own research project. Or, the other way around: In case you are undecided about the topic of a research project, look for some of the questions these persepctives focus on, and then find a topic that would match the question of a particular perspective. By exploring the central question(s) for each perspective presented in the table on page 132, you can easily find the best approach for your own research project. Or, the other way around: In case you are undecided about the topic of a research project, look for some of the questions these persepctives focus on, and then find a topic that would match the question of a particular perspective.

Seminar Topic 2. Recommended exercise: Go to pages and read the example of auto-ethnographic writing. Then answer the following questions: Recommended exercise: Go to pages and read the example of auto-ethnographic writing. Then answer the following questions:  (1) How is this type of writing different from other types of writing? (2) How can you use this information in a qualitative inquiry? (2) How can you use this information in a qualitative inquiry?

Autoethnography This perspective is #2 in the list on page 322 This perspective is #2 in the list on page 322 The disciplinary roots are Literary Arts. The disciplinary roots are Literary Arts. The central question is, “How does my own experience with this culture connect with, and offer insights into this cultural phenomenon or way of life I wish to research?” The central question is, “How does my own experience with this culture connect with, and offer insights into this cultural phenomenon or way of life I wish to research?”

An Example for Autoethnography If you would decide to spend a year living among the Kayapo Indians in Brasil, but do two studies. One would focus on their life- events (as an ethnographic study); and the other study would be based on a diary in which you would record all your feelings, comfort / discomfort, emotions, etc., that directly result from the research project (heuristic analysis). If you would decide to spend a year living among the Kayapo Indians in Brasil, but do two studies. One would focus on their life- events (as an ethnographic study); and the other study would be based on a diary in which you would record all your feelings, comfort / discomfort, emotions, etc., that directly result from the research project (heuristic analysis).

THE END Have a nice evening, see you next week! Dr. E.