Writing narrative reports Telling stories using qualitative data

Qualitative Data Analysis Looks for common themes and patterns. Sample quotations are used. Categories of responses are identified and the number of responses that fall within these categories are identified. No statistical analysis is required – but demographic information may be expressed in percentages or placed in tables.

Example of using quotes (from gang study in Sin City) One fourth of the youths surveyed said that they didn’t like gangs or didn’t want to join a gang. Almost 40% said that being in a gang was bad or stupid. One youth described being in a gang as a “dead end choice.” Nine percent felt that being in a gang was dangerous or scary. One respondent said being in a gang was scary because “they always talk about killing or beating up other people.” Only 6% of the respondents thought being in a gang was fun or was necessary for protection. However, one youth said that being in a gang made him feel “safe and good, cool to be around.”

In the previous quote there were categories: Didn’t like gangs Gangs are bad or stupid Being in a gang is fun

Analysis of Reading Assignment in the Journal of Poverty: The mirror has two faces What do the authors mean by “the mirror has two faces”? What were they studying? In general, how did the workers perceive clients? What categories (typologies) did the authors used to describe these perceptions?

Analysis of Article Continued: Answer: Categories of Workers 1) Good workers – treat clients with respect 2) Bad workers – rude; check up on clients What evidence did the authors use to support dividing their responses into categories? Overall, what were the major themes associated with both groups? Did these themes stand out in all portions of the data analysis?

One approach to writing narratives can also include: The writer’s own thoughts, values, and beliefs. An interpretation of the research participant’s behavior or thoughts.

For example, this quotation from Fadiman, A. (1997). The spirit catches you and you fall down. New York: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux. While Foua was telling me about the dozens of tasks that constituted her “easy” work in Laos, I was thinking that when she said she was stupid, what she really meant was that none of her former skills were transferable to the U.S. – none, that is, except for being an excellent mother to her nine surviving children. It then occurred to me that this last skill had been officially contradicted by the American government, which had legally declared her a child abuser.

One approach to writing a narrative is “thick description” – creation of a picture of observed events, people involved, rules associated with certain activities, and social context or environment. Thick description can also incorporate the researcher’s perspectives.

Clients articulate their belief that the welfare system is not designed to help them succeed or care for their families….Often it feels as if the information they received from workers is blatantly wrong. In one focus group, participants talked assuredly of the misinformation they had received ….As one women said “[The policy] is a lie. This what happens in the welfare system”….Such a lack of trust raises serious questions about whether or not clients will heed front-line staff. From Sandfort, Kalil, & Gottschalk (1999). The mirror has two faces. Journal of Poverty, 3 (3),

A narrative or text-based summary should include Identification of common themes in responses. Patterns of behavior Cultural or other symbols found in the setting or described by respondents. Identification/description of cultural norms Common words or phrases used by many respondents with sample quotations Minority responses with sample quotations

Exercise for Today Look at the Yang article “A door swinging between two worlds” on E-reserve. Does the title of the article give away the theme of this narrative? In your group, identify the places in the narrative where the author describes why she is swinging between both worlds.

On Thursday We will analyze data from each of the four focus groups for at least two of the questions in our interview guide. We will talk about how to finish assignment #1