NVIVO version 9 Highlights Announced

I am a long time user of QSR qualitative software. I started using NUDIST when it was first released and I’ve been pleased with the the competitive way that they have moved forward with enhancements and user support. The newest version to be released in a couple of months provides enhancements that speak to the many kinds of data that we work work such as research literature.... Read More

CAQDAS Workshops in the UK

Announcements were sent out to listserves today about upcoming workshops held by the CAQDAS Networking Project. For full information including booking instructions see http://caqdas.soc.surrey.ac.uk/calendar.html Training workshops are run in collaboration with Day Courses in Social Research http://www.fahs.surrey.ac.uk/daycourses/ Seminars are run in collaboration with Qualitative... Read More

Video in Qualitative Research

Video in Qualitative Research: Analysing social interaction in everyday life (Sage 2010), by Jon Hindmarsh, Christian Heath, Paul Luff, offers one of the few in-depth discussions of “fine-grained analysis of social organisation, culture and communication” captured in video data. The text is written for classroom use and offers exercises at the end of each chapter to... Read More

UK Summer Institute

I’ve been AFK during my trip to Ireland and look forward to sharing some of the resources that I acquired in the mail during my vacation. Today a reminder came through regarding the following: Summer Institute in Qualitative Research: Putting Theory to Work 19-23 July 2010, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK  Read More

Tech Talk

I am honored to work with two talented research assistants in the Center for Qualitative Inquiry. Marlene Montgomery and Dhrumil Patel bring many strengths and background experiences to their ongoing support of faculty and graduate student users. As mentioned previously, I currently serve as the newsletter editor for the American Educational Research Association Qualitative Research... Read More

How to curate your data

I discovered this book last evening while searching through Left Coast Press’ catalog for new resources on Oral Histories and interviewing. Curating Oral Histories From Interview to Archive Nancy MacKay (Author) 156 pp. / 8.50 x 11.00 / Oct, 2006 Hardback (978-1-59874-057-8) Paperback (978-1-59874-058-5) I am adding this book to my shelf because it was written by a curator... Read More

Ph.D. Comics

Ph.D. Comics (or Piled Higher and Deeper.com) provides some of the funniest grad school characters and web comics that I have ever seen. I use the comics in my teaching. They have a new group of comics for subscribers to Academia.edu. Anyone who is or has been a graduate student can relate to the characters and topics. I like to post on some of the comics on my Blackboard course... Read More

IIQM – A model for excellence

As I’ve written before, few university centers exist that support qualitative research. The University of Alberta sponsors an Interdisciplinary Center called the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology. In addition to providing faculty support, the center sponsors an annual conference and a journal that is free to subscribers. Why do I have a photo of a suitcase?... Read More

Centers, conferences, & focus groups

The International Institute of Qualitative Inquiry is based at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champain USA. Dr. Norm Denzin is the director of the center. The center sponsors an annual conference. The Sixth International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry will be held May 26-29, 2010. I was pleased to learn that Drs. Greg Dimitriadis & George Kamberelis will be leading... Read More

QDA Miner

An impressive workshop was announced today via the Qualitative Research for the Human Sciences list (QUALRS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU) I have not used this software and hope to learn more about the benefits for users working with multiple data sources. 14th & 15th June 2010 QDA Miner 2-day Introductory Workshop, University of Surrey, UK QUIC and the CAQDAS Networking Project are delighted... Read More

Kip’s World: Embracing Serendipity

I’ve enjoyed reading Dr. Kip Jones’ Blog at http://kipworldblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/embracing-serendipity_18.html He is a Reader in Qualitative Research, Centre for Qualitative Research Leader, Performative Social Science Group, School of Health & Social Care and The Media School, Bournemouth University, UK. I am also rapt in the video post that he provided on... Read More

Methodspace

An interesting site called Methodspace “is the home of the Research Methods community from across the world”. Based on my reading, the site appears to be supported by Sage Publications. After being granted access to the site I was pleased to learn that many wonderful colleagues have posted to the site and have begun sharing resources. I enjoyed reading the posts on the... Read More

Peshkin

I assign an article written by Dr. Alan Peshkin entitled: The Nature of Interpretation in Qualitative Research. This article was published in Educational Researcher, Vol. 29, No. 9, 5-9 (2000) Dr. ALAN PESHKIN, professor of education, Stanford University, Cubberly Lasuen, Stanford University, CA 94305-3096. His area of specialization is anthropology of education. This paper addresses... Read More

Conversational Analysis Tutorial

A good friend reminded me of a wonderful tutorial on conversation analysis found at: http://www-staff.lboro.ac.uk/~ssca1/intro1.htm CA is now a settled discipline, developed since the pioneering work in the sixties by the sociologist Harvey Sacks. What it has accumulated as insights and findings can be brought to bear on any set of data where language is used in interaction. Its... Read More

Rigor in Qualitative Research

How do you support graduate students who are new to qualitative inquiry in understanding rigor in qualitative research designs? This chapter supports me well in this goal. I have used this chapter reading for quite a while in my advanced qualitative design and analysis course is entitled: Rigor in Qualitative Research: The assessment of trustworthiness by Laura Krefting The American... Read More

Epistemology

I want to begin posting about “additional readings” that I use in my qualitative research courses. Epistemology & Educational Research by Gregg Kelley (2006). In Green, J., Camilli, G. & P. Elmore (eds.). Handbook of complementary methods in education research. Washington: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates & American Education Research Association. I like to begin... Read More

Dialogue and Representation Conference

Members of the DISCOURS@LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG list posted the following call today: Call for Papers
: DIALOGUE AND REPRESENTATION IADA — International Association for Dialogue Analysis
13th International Conference on Dialogue Analysis
www.dialogue-representation.org April 26-30, 2011
Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada  Read More

Analysis – it’s not about the software

A wonderrful discussion thread on QUALRS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU about using software for data analysis broadly, and grounded theory specifically, included reference to the following text that discusses phases of analysis through reading and reflection. While I prefer to be able to organize my data via a software program and engage in similar processes described in the discussion, I... Read More

International Marxism and Psychology Conference

A QUALRS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU Post received today: The preliminary program for the 2010 Marxism and Psychology Conference (August 5-7, 2010 – Prince Edward Island) is now available on the conference website: http://vre.upei.ca/mprg  Read More

Manchester Ethnography Group

Wishing that I could attend the upcoming Manchester Ethnography Group Seminar tomorrow. The following message came via Jacqueline Eke: A reminder that our final spring seminar takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 14 April: Max Travers (University of Tasmania, Australia) In search of court culture: explaining juvenile detention rates in three Australian states. http://www.mmu.ac.uk 4.00... Read More

Representation in Ethnography

A wonderful edited text written by John Van Maanen (Tales of the Field) is entitled: Representation in Ethnography (Sage Publishing). The text includes chapters by wonderful authors such as Harry Wolcott, Laurel Richardson, Michael Agar.  Read More

Contours of culture

I’m currently reading and recommending: Contours of culture: Complex ethnography and the ethnography of complexity By Paul Atkinson, Sara Delamont, William Housley  Read More

The long interview

A “small” text published by Sage entitled: The Long Interview, by G. McCracken. McCracken writings about key theoretical and methodological issues relating to his “simple four-step model of inquiry”. 1. Review of analytic categories 2. Review of cultural categories 3. Discovery of cultural categories 4. Discovery of analytic categories. He outlines states... Read More

Imperial Eyes

A few years ago I was reviewing literature relating to intersubjectivity. I happened upon a wonderful text by Mary Louise Pratt entitled: Imperial Eyes: Travel Writing and Transculturation. At the time that the text went to press, Dr. Pratt was a Professor in the Departments of Spanish and Portuguese, and of Comparative Literature, at Stanford Univ. (California). This text provides... Read More

Journeys through ethnography

A wonderful text that I have returned to recently is Laureau, A. & Shultz, J. (1996). (eds.). Journeys through ethnography: Realistic accounts of fieldwork Boulder, Co.: Westview Press. This text brings readers back to early conversations by scholars such as William Whyte, author of Street Corner Society and Suan Kriefer, author of Beyond Subjectivity. The focus is on the social... Read More

Irish Qualitative Data Archive

I couldn’t agree more with The Weekly Qualitative Report Resource of the Week selection of the Irish Qualitative Data Archive: This website provides access to qualitative data, including photographic data, specific to Ireland. Those with qualit ative research to contribute may also add a catalogue record through the site. Coincidently, I am heading to Ireland in May. As a... Read More

Storytelling, Narrative, and Antenarrative

The following conference notice was posted today via the The Discourse Studies List <DISCOURS@LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG>: The 20th Annual Standing Conference for Management and Organizational Inquiry (sc’MOI) will be held April 14-16, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Theme will be: Storytelling, Narrative and Antenarrative: A Celebration of the Contributions... Read More

Autoethnography

I include Ellis, C., & Bochner, A. P. (1996). Composing ethnography: alternative forms of qualitative writing. Walnut Creek, Calif.: AltaMira Press. as an Interactive Book Presentation text as an option for students to read (see interactive book presentation assignment posts). Students are surprised by the date of the publication and wonder if it is a current resource. But,... Read More

Interactive Book Presentation Texts: Course 1

The first course in the doctoral level qualitative research courses that I developed and have been teaching for several years is entitled: Qualitative Research (an introduction) is currently offered every fall semester. The course is organized around four major assignments: Highly Collaborative Assignments: Interactive Book Presentation Discussion leading of assigned reading Independently... Read More

Interactive Book Presentation Assignment: Course 2

My doctoral level Advanced Qualitative Research Design and Analysis Course (course 2 in series, offered every summer session) is organized around four course assignments: Leading dialogue, Research notebook, Interactive Book Presentation, and a “Mini” research proposal I’ve posted about books available for selection for the The Interactive Book Presentation.... Read More

VizThink

VizThink is devoted Visual Data explorations: http://vizthink.com/blog/2010/03/04/pivot-a-turning-point-for-visual-data-exploration/  Read More

Summative Analysis

I received the following notice from the Qualitative Research for the Human Sciences <QUALRS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> list: Qualitative Research Unit Want to learn a New Qualitative Analytic Technique? “Summative Analysis: An Introductory Workshop” Wednesday 26th May 2010 Room 104, Digital Technium, Swansea University Time: 9.45am for 10am start until 12pm Price: £35 (£30... Read More

Talking data

Talking Data: Transcription and Coding in Discourse Research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, 1993. I have included this text as an “interactive book presentation text assignment” option in my Qualitative Research Design and Analysis course for several semesters. The text is not an introduction – students do need to own a firm grounding in the wider field of qualitative... Read More

Conversation and Discourse Analysis

Wooffitt, Dr Robin. Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis: A Comparative and Critical Introduction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Ltd, 2005 Chapters 1 & 2 are invaluable resources for supporting newcomers in understanding the differences between conversation analysis and discourse analysis.  Read More

Doctoral Student Seminar / Narrative Research

The Narrative Research Special Interest Group of the American Educational Research Association will be hosting a doctoral student seminar. Details distributed via the listserve: Beginning two years ago, a tradition of bringing together doctoral students was started in the Narrative Research SIG. Dr. Stefinee Pinnegar, co-chair of the Narrative Research SIG, also organizes Invisible... Read More

“Primary texts” for teaching

Currently, I use Marshall, C. & G. B. Rossman (2006). Designing qualitative research (4th). Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications as a primary text in my Qualitative Research Design & Analysis course. Because my courses are attended by graduate students from multiple disciplines it is important for me to select texts that include multi-disciplinary discussions of theoretical... Read More

Conversation Analysis

In previous posts I refer to “entering conversations and the road to now” and the need to read primary sources in order to join the conversations about particular methodologies or theoretical turns in the road. I offer students the opportunity to select George Psathas’ text on conversational analysis: Psathas, George (1995). Conversation Analysis: The Study of... Read More

Gaining access

Few texts are devoted to the important topic of gaining access to research sites / participants. I include Feldman, M. S., Bell, J., & Berger, M. T. (2003). Gaining access: a practical and theoretical guide for qualitative researchers. Walnut Creek, Calif.: AltaMira Press as an  ”interactive book presentation text” option in my qualitative research methods courses.... Read More

Discourse as data

Yates, S., Taylor, S., & Wetherell, M. (2001). Discourse as data: a guide for analysis. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage. A student wrote this insightful review of this text: When attempting to choose a book that would lend itself to giving a novice such as myself an overall understanding of goals, uses and procedures of discourse analysis I was unsure where to turn.  In looking... Read More

Spradley: Staples and classics

James Spradley was a professor of anthropology. His texts provide a wonderfully accessible discussion of “steps” in ethnographic data collection and analysis. Spradley, J. (1979). The ethnographic interview. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers. Spradley, J. (1980). Participant observation. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers.  Read More

Writing up qual research

Wolcott, H. F. (2008). Writing up qualitative research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. Wolcott’s Writing Up Qualitative Research is written for a doctoral student audience. He shares helpful insights andd advice on how to write your dissertation after you’ve completed your research. One of my students wrote: “Wolcott’s helpful book addresses everything... Read More

Terms and definitions

Graduate students are often surprised to learn that the field of qualitative research includes so many specialized terms used differently or interchangeably. Schwandt’s text has kept pace with new literature and changing definitions of what counts as current definitions and who gets to decide. Schwandt, T. A. (2007). The SAGE dictionary of qualitative inquiry (3rd ed.). Thousand... Read More

Narrative Inquiry: Call for papers

Narrative researchers – A new publication opportunity was announced today via the AERA Narrative studies SIG group. The call is up at: http://ineducation.ca/contribute  Read More

Learning how to ask

Charles Briggs (1986) text entitled: Learning how to ask: a sociolinguistic appraisal of the role of the interview in social science research (Cambridge University Press) addresses important issues relating to the interpretation of interview data. Readers who are new to literature on “speech communities” may want to read Edward Hall’s books (e.g., Beyond Culture,... Read More

Learning from strangers

Another text that I include as an option for students to read is by R.S. Weiss (1994): Learning from strangers: the art and method of qualitative interview studies. (The Free Press). Those who are new to qualitative research and interviewing find this text to be a valuable “how to” book that includes a clear theoretical framework. An emphasis placed by the author is... Read More

Early childhood qual research

Another “interactive book presentation” text that is included in my qual classes is J. A. Hatch’s (2007) Early childhood qualitative research. (Routledge). While the title tends to attract early childhood doctoral students, the content is valuable across disciplines. A focus of the text is on a variety of qualitative methodologies and how these approaches can be... Read More

The Professional Stranger

When I teach qualitative research courses, I incorporate primary and secondary text readings. I refer to the secondary text as the “interactive book presentation” text. Students negotiate the selection and reading of one additional text from a list provided. They read the text, interact with their small group about their text via Blackboard, and make an engaging presentation... Read More

Conference on language and gender in African contexts

SECOND CALL FOR PAPERS DATE: 13 – 15 APRIL, 2010 VENUE: CONFERENCE CENTRE, OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA We are pleased to invite you to attend the International Conference on Language and Gender in African Contexts scheduled to take place at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, from 13-15 April, 2010. Similar events on this general theme... Read More

Professional transcription services

The Qualitative Data Analysis Program (QDAP) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst offers professional transcription from a variety of audio file formats. Please contact us today for more information: qdap@polsci.umass.edu. Audio transcription services are billed at $22 per hour. It is typical to estimate 5 hours of transcription per 1 hour of audio, depending on audio quality.... Read More

Spring Seminars: Manchester Ethnography Group

The Manchester Ethnography Group announced the following schedule for their spring seminars: Firstly, we want to re-iterate our call that we are always looking for speakers who have interesting materials / ideas that they would like to discuss in one of the Manchester Ethnography Group Seminars.  If you would like to do so / have a suggestion of someone who you think we should... Read More

Mention in Weekly Qualitative Report

I am so pleased to write that this blog was listed in the January 4th edition of The Weekly Qualitative Report under Qualitative Research Resource of the Week! Link directly to: http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/WQR/wqr3_1.html  Read More

IPhone App for Ethnographic Research

The December issue of the Weekly Qualitative Report included a link to a fascinating site containing information and a YouTube Video describing an I-Phone/Touch app for ethnographic work. I am posting prior to downloading of the app. My initial impression is that the developer has framed the application for “consumer” ethnographic work. The video presentation is impressive.... Read More

Linguistics and Education

Linguistics and Education is an international peer reviewed journal publishing work in the areas of: text/corpus linguistics, sociolinguistics, functional grammar, discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis, conversational analysis, linguistic anthropology/ethnography, language acquisition, language socialization, narrative studies, gesture/ sign /visual forms of communication,... Read More

Discourse Processes

Discourse processes is a peer-reviewed journal publishing work in the discourse area from the perspective of sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, discourse psychology, text linguistics, ethnomethodology and sociology of language, education, philosophy of language, computer science, and related subareas are invited to contribute.  Read More

Summer Inst in Qual Research

SUMMER INSTITUTE IN QUALITATIVE RESEARCH PUTTING THEORY TO WORK Monday 19 – Friday 23 July 2010 Education and Social Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK The MMU Summer Institute in Qualitative Research will provide the opportunity to learn about current trends in theory and methodology, in dialogue with leading theorists. What are the current trends... Read More

Qualitative Research for Human Sciences

The Qualitative Research for Human Sciences is another valuable discussion list. The list is hosted by the University of Georgia. The following link provides instructions for joining along with archives of list posts and discussions since September 1991. http://listserv.uga.edu/archives/qualrs-l.html  Read More

Public Comment Analysis Toolkit (PCAT)

I received the following notice today from the Qualitative Research for the Human Sciences Discussion List. I’m not familiar with this analysis tool and would appreciate receiving feedback from others. Their website requires registration but is free to users as a beta version: http://pcat.qdap.net/ The Public Comment Analysis Toolkit (PCAT) is Web-based, university-hosted software... Read More

Manchester Ethnography Group

I recently joined the Manchester Ethnography Group Seminar mailing list for discussions hosted by Manchester Metropolitan UniversityDepartment of Sociology faculty.  Read More

Ethnographic Studies

Ethnographic Studies is a refereed journal focusing on work in ethnography and ethnomethodology. The website notes that the journal also provides a forum for sympathetic research in other human sciences, such as psychology and history. Its aim is to promote qualitative inquiry. The policy of the journal is to publish empirical studies but also theoretical and philosophical work... Read More

Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Research

The Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Research is a peer reviewed publication. The homepage for the journal and the annual conference is located at: http://www.cedarville.edu/academics/education/eqrc/journal/journal.htm  Read More

Ethno and CA News

An extensive site (http://www2.fmg.uva.nl/emca/) dedicated to ethnomethodology and conversation analysis is maintained by Paul ten Have, retired Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Antropology, Faculty of Social  and Behavioural Sciences, University of Amsterdam. The site includes calls for papers, upcoming conferences, and researcher resources.  Read More

Educational Action Research Network

Any educator in any country may use the Action Research Network tool for sharing research and viewing the research of others. Register at: http://actionresearch.altec.org/  Read More

Presentation Zen

There are so many publications and websites about what counts as the worst Powerpoint / Keynote presentations. However, few sources provide real support in how to develop high quality slides and how to deliver your message(s) in an engaging way. I highly recommend Garr Reynolds book and blog site entitled Presentation Zen. He is a renowned expert on presentation design and delivery.  Read More

Conference in Ecuador

A conference announcement was posted today from Lucia Astidillo, University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador: SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY University of Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador 5-7 January 2010 http://www.SustainabilityConference.com Ecuador, 5-7 January 2010 and New Zealand, 5-7 January 2011- Call for Papers  Read More

31st Annual Ethnography in Education Research Forum

An important conference sponsored by the Center for Urban Ethnography, is the annual Ethnography in Education Research forum. The theme for the upcoming conference is: Creativity, Crisis and Qualitative Research: Re-imagining Education in a Changing World February 26 – 27, 2010 http://www.gse.upenn.edu/cue/forum  Read More

AERA Qual SIG

In the most recent newsletter of the American Education Research Association Qualitative Research SIG group includes a thought provoking virtual interview by Dr. Valerie Janesick with Dr. Judith Green, a Professor and Director of the Center for Literacy & Inquiry in Networking Communities, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education, University of California, Santa Barbara. Prologue... Read More

Why Twitter matters for qualitative researchers

I love Kumeugirl’s blog post on why Twitter matters for qualitative researchers. Her marketing based qualitative approach is a valuable resource.  Read More

Writing Fieldnotes

In chapter 4 of Emerson, Robert M., Fretz, Rachel I., & Shaw, Linda L. (1995). Writing ethnographic fieldnotes. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, entitled writing up fieldnotes II: creating scenes on a page, we are reminded: To view writing fieldnotes simply as a  matter of putting on paper what a field researcher has heard and seen suggest that it is a transparent... Read More

The lived experience of the ethnographer

Try writing an ethnography of something very close to you. A story from the beginning of your life that takes you to the present moment. A family, silence and secrets, a few spoken words, a death, memory and love. An intimate culture to be certain. This will take you beyond questions of participant-observation, unstructured data, case size, and interpretation. It will encompass... Read More

Voice Recognition Software

Visitors to our Center for Qualitative Inquiry often ask about voice recognition software. We currently provide users with access to MacSpeech and Dragon Speaking Naturally software. Voice recognition software has improved dramatically over the past few years. While you still need to train the software to recognize your voice by reading passages, this now only takes minutes rather... Read More

QSR launches NVivo 8 video

QSR International has ramped up user support for NVivo version 8 by adding video clips in addition to the screen shot web based tutorials.  Read More

LINGUIST list

I subscribe to an interesting list from the LINGUIST list . The site offers “a peer-reviewed database of language and language-family information, and recommendations of best practice for digitizing endangered languages data”. A recent thread on the e-mail list has centered on requests for resources on understanding and doing CDA (Critical Discourse Analysis). Of course,... Read More

Qualitative Inquiry Journal

Another important journal that focuses on qualitative research is the Qualitative Inquiry Journal published by Sage. http://qix.sagepub.com/  Read More

International Review

The INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH is a peer reviewed journal that encourages the use of critical, experimental and traditional forms of qualitative inquiry in the interests of social justice.  Read More

Upcoming international conference

The International workshop on Computer-Aided Qualitative Research Asia 2010 will be held in the city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on the 3 & 4 February 2010. http://www.merlien.org/upcoming-events/caqr2010-kl.html Key objectives of the workshop: Developing a deeper understanding on the implications of software choice on research Promoting best practices for using software... Read More