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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
