Data collection
Data analysis in the research process
Values,
world view
Value claims
Research
question
Epistemology
Research
review
Knowledge claims
Concepts
Epistemological
lens
Results
External
validity
Method
Research
design
Investigative
lens
Discussion
Interpretations
explanations
Theories
Findings
Constructs,
variables
Records
Observed events
and objects
Data
collection
Data
analysis
Internal
validity
2
Data collection
Modality
• Interviews
• Focus groups
• Observations
• Meetings
• Training
• Interventions
• Document analysis
– Emails, sms
Tools
• Tape recording
– Transcribing
• Interview reports
– Interview guide
• Diary
• Field notes
• Taking pictutures
– Documenting
– Remembering
– Illustrating
Interview design
• Planning
• Recruit according to what you want to find out
– Stakeholders
– Snowballing
• Interview guide
– You get answers as you ask them
– Open and closed questions
– Probing
Conducting interviews
Structured
interviews
• Ensuring
comparability
Semi-structured
interviews
• In-depth
interviews
• Buddy –
interviews
• Focus group
discussions
The venue is important
Informal
interviews
• Explorative
• Ad hoc
Documenting interviews
Tape recording and
filming
• Allows word for word
transcription
• Allows to
concentrate on what
is said
• May be considered
intrusive
• May draw attention
away from the
interview
Taking notes during
interview
•
•
•
•
Less accurate
May disturb the flow
Less intrusive
Team: one
interviewer and one
note taker
Transcribing tapes
and notes
• Is word for word
necessary?
• From notes:
transcribe as soon
as possible
• Describe context of
the interview
Sharing and validation
• Can fieldnotes be shared?
– Context is needed
– Sharing in a team
• Fieldnotes versus empirical descriptions
– Context, structure and interpretation
• Validation of data produced by participant observation?
– Rich descriptions
– Be clear about the context(s) of data production
– Be clear about your role and be present in the text
Registrers
What about the 31 other reports
Activity plan
ANM diary
Mother & Child
registrers
Engaged discussion
Training
The saw their own data
Letter on terms and conditions for the
distributed SIM’s
Note that in this
letter ANM is
provided with150
rupees per month
in contrary to what
is communicated to
the ANMs
today(100 rupees).
Participant observation
• Balancing distance and closeness
– Participating and observing
– Paying attention to what is taken for granted
– The time aspect
• Interaction data
– How people interact gives information about social structures
and values
– Enable us to study what cannot be articulated by the informants
• What people say vs. what they do
– A gap between what people say and do often points to
something important
The role of the researcher
• Producing data together with the informants
– Mutual influence
• The researcher’s status and personality influence
– gender, civil status, class, conduct
– Dressing
• Which role to take?
– Ethics
• Learning from your mistakes
• Use informants to discuss interpretations
• Participant observation in one’s own culture
– How much is shared?
– Active distancing – try to see things with fresh eyes
Writing fieldnotes
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•
•
•
•
Scratch notes
Field notes
Notes taken ”in action”
Taking a break to take notes
Pen and paper
Recorder/mobile
Cool quickly!
• Notes ”after action”
• Write ”everything” – you never
know what may turn out
important
• Remember the context
• Remember yourself
• Include reflections and
interpretations, but keep them
separate from the observations
References
• Ellen, R.F. 1984: Ch.8: Producing Data” in Ellen, R.F. Ethnographic
Research. Academia Press
• Hume, L. and Mulcock, J. 2004: Anthropologists in the field. Cases
in Participant Observation. Columbia University Press
• Narayan, K. 1993: ”How Native is a Native Anthropologist?” in
American Anthropologist: Journal of the American Anthropological
Association, nr. 5 1993
• Sanjek, R. 1990: ”A vocabulary for Fieldnotes” in Sanjek, R. (ed):
Fieldnotes. The Makings of Anthropology. Cornell University Press
• Spradley, J. P. 1980: Participant observation. Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich College Publishers
Explorative interview tools
Photo interviews
Modelling, drawing