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

2. Data Collection Formats
Text
Audio
Images
Video

3. 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

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

5. 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.’

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

7. Representation

8. Exploitation

9. Consent

10. Context

11. Local Conventions

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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]

15. 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]