1. SOCW 671: Week 9 Discuss 3 rd Assignment Qualitative Methods: Action Research Field Studies, Case Studies & Survey Research

2. Qualitative Social Work Research Goal is to find meaning, not quantify When in doubt, observe and ask questions No burden of proof, only want to experience and understand From Patton (2002)

3. Phases: A Very Brief History Traditional (up to WWII) – influenced by positivism, objectivity in fieldwork Modernist (to the 1970s) – emphasis on rigor and formalism Blurred Genes (1970-1986) – alternative approaches emerged Crisis of Representation – focus on issues of power, privilege, race, gender. Undermined traditions of validity and neutrality Fifth Movement – triple crisis of representation, legitimization, and praxis in which process was examined. Importance of perspective and how to evaluate Postexperimental – boundaries includes creative nonfiction, autobiographical, ethnography, poetic representations, and multi media presentations Denzin & Lincoln (2000)

4. Theoretical Underpinnings Exploratory Lived experience Multiple realities Philosophical models Constructivist – how people create reality Postmodernism – multiple realities and viewpoints to oppression

5. Themes to Consider with Qualitative Inquiry Design Strategies Data Collection and Fieldwork Strategies Analysis Strategies

6. Design strategies Naturalistic inquiry – real world situations as naturally unfold. Emergent design flexibility – adapting inquiry as understanding deepens Purposeful sampling – cases are selected because they are “information rich”

7. Data collection & fieldwork strategies Qualitative data – observations detailed, depth, direct quotes, etc. Personal experience and engagement – researcher in close contact, personal experiences and insights useful Empathic neutrality and mindfulness – seeks vicarious understanding without judgment Dynamic systems – attention to process, change ongoing, system and situation dynamics

8. Analysis strategies Unique case orientation Inductive analysis & creative analysis Holistic perspective Context sensitivity Voice, perspective, and reflexivity

9. Qualitative Methods Action Research Field Studies Case Studies Focus Groups Content Analysis

10. Action Research

11. Foundations of Action Research Involves Change experiments on real problems in social systems Iterative cycles of identifying a problem, planning, acting and evaluating Re-education, or changing patterns of current thinking with participation of client Challenges to status quo Simultaneous contributions to basic knowledge and social action

12. Action Research Cycle Pre-step: Context and purpose Main Steps Diagnosing Planning action Taking action Evaluating action Meta Learning Planning actionPremise Taking actionProcess Evaluating actionContent

13. Rigor in Action Research As the researcher, demonstrate how you: Engage in multiple and repetitious action research cycles Challenge and tested own assumptions and interpretations Access differing views Confirming interpretations Contradictory interpretations Ground interpretations and diagnoses in scholarly theory

14. Experiential Learning in Action Research As insider action researcher, you have a role in the organization, including: Experiencing Reflecting Interpreting Taking action

15. Reflection in Action Research Stepping back from experience to process what it means Two critical elements of self-reflection Ability to critique own thought process Attend to your feelings Two useful constructs Noticing personal inferences and checking them Becoming aware of your distorting of reality

16. Journaling: Helps Action Researchers Develop Reflective Skills Helps reflect on own experiences Journal imposes discipline by providing a Systematic record of events, dates & people Interpretative and self-evaluative account of researcher’s experiences Way of dumping painful experiences Reflective account to tease out interpretations Analytic tool where data can be examined and analyzed

17. Researching Own Organization Focus of researcher and system Differentiate between researcher and system Determine whether for self-study or not Role, access and pre-understanding Learning by both the system and self You are engaged in both: 1 st person research – using pre-understanding for personal development 2 nd person research – working on practical issues for organization with colleagues and relevant others

18. SOCW 671: Week 10 Field Studies Case Studies Focus Groups Survey Research

19. Topics Appropriate for Field Research Topics defying simple quantification Attitudes and behaviors best understood within their natural setting Social processes over time Purposive sampling methods used, including Quota sampling Snowball sampling Deviant cases Critical incidents sampling Maximum variation sampling Homogeneous sampling

20. Case Study Research Rationale for Case Study Research Having only one or a few cases, or phenomenon that occurs rarely Investigating complex social phenomenon Finding how things are related in some depth Discovering insights into the meanings that people give to reality Embarking on a new line of inquiry

21. Focus of Case Studies Study of individuals Types of role relationships Historical events Occupational categories Communities or neighborhoods Various organizational settings Categories of behaviors, norms, or beliefs

22. Typically Choose This Design: In settings where behavior takes place Where you have collective or set of role relationships Where you have thick descriptions or voluminous observational records

23. Rationale for Case Study Research When have only one or a few cases For phenomenon that occurs rarely To investigate complex social issues How things are related in some depth To find insights into the meanings people give to reality When embarking on a new line of inquiry

24. Strengths of Case Studies Greater detail about social phenomenon May lead to holistic & contextualized characterization of a case Useful in exploratory research Useful in studying rare or inaccessible cases Less expensive than survey research Useful for detailed theoretical contrasts Allows for more dynamic process Useful for detailing a process over time

25. Weaknesses of Case Studies Cannot be generalized Usually cannot use statistical tools Lack of control for what happens in field May require too much effort and skill Difficult to measure latent variables or constructs Gaining entry may be difficult

26. Focus Groups Typically includes 6 - 12 people Usually not representative of population Able to gather a large amount of information in a brief period Commonly uses key informants Ask about 3 to 6 questions Record information

27. Content Analysis Refers to data reduction and sense-making effort that takes qualitative material and attempts to identify core consistencies and meanings Includes Text searching Analysis of text such as interviews, transcripts, diaries Visual analysis of images

28. Topics Appropriate for Survey Research Use individuals as the unit of analysis Collect original data on a population too large to observe directly Measure attitudes and orientations in a large population Use to describe, explore or explain Collect information with Questionnaires Interviews

29. Self-administered Questionnaires Mail distribution and return Include a cover letter Monitor returns Send follow-up mailings

30. Interview Surveys Role of interviewer Rules for interviewing Appearance and demeanor Familiarity with questionnaire Follow question wording exactly Record responses exactly Probing for responses

31. Interview Surveys (continued) Coordination and control Training interviewers Supervising interviewers Telephone surveys Pluses and minuses Computer assistance

32. Comparing Self-administered Tests versus Interviews Advantages of self-administered questionnaires Cheaper and quicker Same cost for national or local survey Appropriate for sensitive issues Can offer anonymity

33. Advantages of Interviews Fewer incomplete answers Higher return rate Interviewer can observe Appropriate for complicated issues Can conduct with a sample of addresses

34. Strengths of Survey Research Strengths Reliability Describes characteristics of a large population Flexibility in analysis Same questions to all respondents Large samples

35. Weaknesses of Survey Research Weaknesses Validity Standardization may yield superficiality Doesn’t deal with context Cannot be modified in the field Its artificial, it cannot measure action