Methods of Qualitative of Data Collection
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ualitative researchers typically rely on four methods for gathering information: (a) participating in the setting, (b) observing directly,
(c) interviewing in depth, and (d) analyzing documents and material culture. These form the core of their inquiry—the staples of the diet. Several secondary and specialized methods of data collection supplement them. This chapter provides a brief discussion of the primary and the secondary methods to be considered in designing a qualitative study.
This discussion does not replace the many excellent, detailed references on data collection (we refer to several at the end of this chapter). Its purpose is to guide the proposal writer in stipulating the methods of choice for his study and in describing for the reader how the data will inform his research questions. How the researcher plans to use these methods, however, depends on several considerations.
Chapter 1 presents an introductory discussion of qualitative methodological assumptions. As the grounding for a selection of methods, we extend that discussion here, using Brantlinger’s (1997) useful summary of seven categories of crucial assumptions for qualitative inquiry. The first concerns the researcher’s views of the nature of the research: Is the inquiry technical and neutral, intending to conform to traditional research within her discipline, or is it controversial and critical, with an
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explicit political agenda? Second, How does she construe her location, her positioning relative to the participants: Does she view herself as distant and objective or intimately involved in their lives? Third, what is the “direction of her ‘gaze’”: Is it outward, toward others—externalizing the research problem—or does it include explicit inner contemplation?
Fourth, what is the purpose of the research: Does she assume
2/1/2006
3:16 PM
Page 97
4
Data Collection Methods
❖ ❖ ❖
Q
ualitative researchers typically rely on four methods for gathering information: (a) participating in the setting, (b) observing directly,
(c) interviewing in depth, and (d) analyzing documents and material culture. These form the core of their inquiry—the staples of the diet. Several secondary and specialized methods of data collection supplement them. This chapter provides a brief discussion of the primary and the secondary methods to be considered in designing a qualitative study.
This discussion does not replace the many excellent, detailed references on data collection (we refer to several at the end of this chapter). Its purpose is to guide the proposal writer in stipulating the methods of choice for his study and in describing for the reader how the data will inform his research questions. How the researcher plans to use these methods, however, depends on several considerations.
Chapter 1 presents an introductory discussion of qualitative methodological assumptions. As the grounding for a selection of methods, we extend that discussion here, using Brantlinger’s (1997) useful summary of seven categories of crucial assumptions for qualitative inquiry. The first concerns the researcher’s views of the nature of the research: Is the inquiry technical and neutral, intending to conform to traditional research within her discipline, or is it controversial and critical, with an
97
04-Marshall-4864.qxd
98
2/1/2006
3:16 PM
Page 98
DESIGNING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
explicit political agenda? Second, How does she construe her location, her positioning relative to the participants: Does she view herself as distant and objective or intimately involved in their lives? Third, what is the “direction of her ‘gaze’”: Is it outward, toward others—externalizing the research problem—or does it include explicit inner contemplation?
Fourth, what is the purpose of the research: Does she assume