I am using a grounded theory-inspired approach for a class assignment. I hesitate to call it grounded theory because the research is based on transcripts I obtained (open source) from the internet and am using to walk through the process. Like other class assignments, this involves a little bit of working backward - figuring out a research question based on the data rather than collecting data in response to my own interests.
I am also doing everything 'manually.'
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This is my 'bracketing collage' for a research project that will explore students' experiences learning to conduct qualitative research. Note that I included my "I'm a researcher" pic from a recent post. This project has an arts-based element which accounts for some of the content. I did this with Picture Collage Maker Lite from the app store - Lite means the free version. This was very easy to use and seemed to do about everything I wanted. For a change, I watched the introductory video which I something I must start doing more often.
Here are a few notes I made after completing an interview. Another thought: now that I have messed about a few times with the trial version of Final Cut Pro, the limits of iMovie are painfully clear. To be fair, I have spent more time learning how to use Final Cut than I ever spent on iMove, but it seems like Looks like an upgrade is in my future.....
I just found out that I have been unjustly blaming the APA manual/style guide. I have frequently referred to some academic or scientific writing as 'soulless' and impersonal and a lot of this writing follows the APA style. However, yesterday, while I compared the author requirements among several journals, it occurred to me for the first time, to take a look to see what the APA manual actually says about use of first person. Of course, use of first person may be one of the hallmarks of qualitative inquiry (and reporting of) and is certainly a feature that often distinguishes qual from quan. The idea of the researcher as instrument (from Patton, 2002, Sage, among others) gives a human-centered and personal element to qualitative methods. But, in looking up 'first person' in the APA publication 6th edition index (2010, author as publisher), I did not find anything, although I did find a page reference for 'third person.' I have not conducted a real interview for several months before this afternoon. It was a little unnerving, especially since my last effort was problematic - if you look back in the archives of this blog - late Feb through early March - you will find several posts about my transcription difficulties and the following software explorations that occurred as a result of a poor quality tape. This was entirely operator (me) error, by the way. I double checked my equipment today and had a back up just in case. This was an 'in person' interview which by its nature may be easier than a telephone interview. I used an Olympus DM - 420, my 'old faithful,' with my rarely used 620 stowed in my bag. As I walked down the road after it was over, I felt very gratified. It is one thing to talk about the research you want to do, or even that you have done, but it is another thing altogether to actually do something. Interviews to me feel much more substantive and 'real' than surveys. This also represents a meaningful step down the road toward completion of my dissertation. Since initiating my goal this week of doing (at least) one thing per day toward my dissertation, I have made real progress. Forward and onward!! |
AuthorI am Sheryl L. Chatfield, Ph.D, C.T.R.S. I am a member of the faculty in the College of Public Health at Kent State University. I also Co-coordinate the Graduate Certificate in Qualitative Research and I am a member of the Design Innovation Team at Kent State. Archives
February 2024
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