SPMA 3P17 EXAM WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
how do we collect and analyze qualitative data? - Correct Answers -participant
observation
- analyzing field sites
- interested in the dynamics of human interactions
- where interviewing is not possible
- or together with interviewing and/or documents
method - Correct Answers -how you go about doing something
utility - Correct Answers -- the usefulness and pragmatic value of research for other
applications
- part of rationale
- statements related to practitioners
- application of research to improve practice in the field
reviewing the literature - Correct Answers -- never enter research as a blank slate
- how it may go beyond the existing theories
- existing studies tell us the area that is known and what needs more focus
- can learn what went wring with others studies
- what directions for future research that they recommend
- verify that you have chosen a justifiable and valuable topic
- use relevant literature to help find focus
- informing your research design and interview questions
- reviewing literature is an ongoing process
- cast a wide net
eg. participant observation - being in the field, observing, taking down notes, recording
natural life
methodology - Correct Answers -why you are going about it in a particular way
- overarching framework
eg. ethnography - research in the setting observing as things happen to understand
human life in a particular setting
characteristics of participant observation - Correct Answers -- based on "naturalism"
- social context (setting) is of multiple importance
- direct observation and interaction
,- sufficient time
- use of a variety of data sources
- volume of recorded data
- evolving character of the study
- researcher is the primary data collection instrument
- focus on both explicit and tactic knowledge
explicit knowledge - Correct Answers -exactly what is said, heard, and seen
tactic knowledge - Correct Answers -the unspoken, information that is harder to get at
assumptions of participant observation - Correct Answers -- a researcher can are in the
participants world
- a researcher can directly participate in the participants world
- by participating in the participants world, a researcher can understand the participants
world from his/her unique perspective
role of the observer - Correct Answers -- covert role
- complete role
- active role
- peripheral role
peripheral role - Correct Answers -maintains the fly on the wall stance, basically a
witness, documents what they see, an invisible role
active role - Correct Answers -researcher is actively involved in whatever field research
they're in
complete role - Correct Answers -completely emerged in the study, overt, participant in
the activity
covert role - Correct Answers -access to hiden facets of social life (drug dealing), can be
risky, harder to get ethical clearance
portrayal of the purpose of the research to others - Correct Answers -false explanation
- using deception as to the purpose of the research project
covert explanations
- no explanation
partial explanation
- not everyone knows the true intent of the project
full explanation of real purpose
- everyone knows the intent of the research
duration of observations - Correct Answers -- single observation, limited time
- long term, multiple observations
, - general rule: start with a broad focus and move to a narrow focus to look for particular
important issues
procedures in participant observation - Correct Answers -1. select a site to be observed
2. negotiate access and entry to the site
3. determine who or what to observe, when, and for how long
4. determine role in the setting
5. design an observation protocol
6. conduct systematic data collection and begin analysis
7. decide when and how to leave the setting
8. complete the analysis process and write the research report
types of field notes - Correct Answers -- jotted notes
- direct observation notes
- researcher inference notes
- analytic notes
- personal notes
jotted notes - Correct Answers -- written in the field
- short temp memory triggers
- words or phrases are then used to prompt memory for later
- participant quotes
- analytic jottings - as you're hearing something you start to think of the meaning
direct observation notes - Correct Answers -- written directly after the jotted notes
- what people are saying
researcher inference notes - Correct Answers -researchers interpretations on what
he/she thinks could be going on
analytic notes - Correct Answers -- where you start putting all the big puzzle pieces
together
- higher order of thinking
personal notes - Correct Answers -personal feelings and emotional reactions that may
be experienced
you just arrived now what? - Correct Answers -- get oriented
- locate subgroups and stars
- observe and listen
- record key words and phrases while in the field
- write notes before sharing them with others
- central component of ethnographic research is the ethnographic account
- your notes should help you visualize the moment a year later
avoid summary statements
- use maps, diagrams, or a 'ground plan'
SOLUTIONS
how do we collect and analyze qualitative data? - Correct Answers -participant
observation
- analyzing field sites
- interested in the dynamics of human interactions
- where interviewing is not possible
- or together with interviewing and/or documents
method - Correct Answers -how you go about doing something
utility - Correct Answers -- the usefulness and pragmatic value of research for other
applications
- part of rationale
- statements related to practitioners
- application of research to improve practice in the field
reviewing the literature - Correct Answers -- never enter research as a blank slate
- how it may go beyond the existing theories
- existing studies tell us the area that is known and what needs more focus
- can learn what went wring with others studies
- what directions for future research that they recommend
- verify that you have chosen a justifiable and valuable topic
- use relevant literature to help find focus
- informing your research design and interview questions
- reviewing literature is an ongoing process
- cast a wide net
eg. participant observation - being in the field, observing, taking down notes, recording
natural life
methodology - Correct Answers -why you are going about it in a particular way
- overarching framework
eg. ethnography - research in the setting observing as things happen to understand
human life in a particular setting
characteristics of participant observation - Correct Answers -- based on "naturalism"
- social context (setting) is of multiple importance
- direct observation and interaction
,- sufficient time
- use of a variety of data sources
- volume of recorded data
- evolving character of the study
- researcher is the primary data collection instrument
- focus on both explicit and tactic knowledge
explicit knowledge - Correct Answers -exactly what is said, heard, and seen
tactic knowledge - Correct Answers -the unspoken, information that is harder to get at
assumptions of participant observation - Correct Answers -- a researcher can are in the
participants world
- a researcher can directly participate in the participants world
- by participating in the participants world, a researcher can understand the participants
world from his/her unique perspective
role of the observer - Correct Answers -- covert role
- complete role
- active role
- peripheral role
peripheral role - Correct Answers -maintains the fly on the wall stance, basically a
witness, documents what they see, an invisible role
active role - Correct Answers -researcher is actively involved in whatever field research
they're in
complete role - Correct Answers -completely emerged in the study, overt, participant in
the activity
covert role - Correct Answers -access to hiden facets of social life (drug dealing), can be
risky, harder to get ethical clearance
portrayal of the purpose of the research to others - Correct Answers -false explanation
- using deception as to the purpose of the research project
covert explanations
- no explanation
partial explanation
- not everyone knows the true intent of the project
full explanation of real purpose
- everyone knows the intent of the research
duration of observations - Correct Answers -- single observation, limited time
- long term, multiple observations
, - general rule: start with a broad focus and move to a narrow focus to look for particular
important issues
procedures in participant observation - Correct Answers -1. select a site to be observed
2. negotiate access and entry to the site
3. determine who or what to observe, when, and for how long
4. determine role in the setting
5. design an observation protocol
6. conduct systematic data collection and begin analysis
7. decide when and how to leave the setting
8. complete the analysis process and write the research report
types of field notes - Correct Answers -- jotted notes
- direct observation notes
- researcher inference notes
- analytic notes
- personal notes
jotted notes - Correct Answers -- written in the field
- short temp memory triggers
- words or phrases are then used to prompt memory for later
- participant quotes
- analytic jottings - as you're hearing something you start to think of the meaning
direct observation notes - Correct Answers -- written directly after the jotted notes
- what people are saying
researcher inference notes - Correct Answers -researchers interpretations on what
he/she thinks could be going on
analytic notes - Correct Answers -- where you start putting all the big puzzle pieces
together
- higher order of thinking
personal notes - Correct Answers -personal feelings and emotional reactions that may
be experienced
you just arrived now what? - Correct Answers -- get oriented
- locate subgroups and stars
- observe and listen
- record key words and phrases while in the field
- write notes before sharing them with others
- central component of ethnographic research is the ethnographic account
- your notes should help you visualize the moment a year later
avoid summary statements
- use maps, diagrams, or a 'ground plan'
