Qualitative Research Methods

Soc/Anth 434

Spring, 2004



Dr. Dixie L. King & Dr. Gonzalo Santos


Classroom: DHH  H101   Class time: Fridays 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Dr. King's Office Hours: Friday 9:00-12:00 a.m. or by appointment
Phones: Dr. King: 334.4850 (off) & 619.2735 (cell);  Dr. Santos: 664-2191


E-mail: dking@tlcprofessionals.com & gsantos@csub.edu


This course satisfies the second methods course requirement of both Majors


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Course Description

 

Qualitative research methods (in-depth interviews, direct observation, and the study of written documents) are used by sociologists and anthropologists (1) to understand people's thoughts and experiences; (2) to study patterns and trends in opinion, belief, attitude, and knowledge, and (3) to define and interpret the cultural context in which people make decisions about their day-to-day lives. Most data used in qualitative analysis comes from fieldwork -- that is, from time spent with people in a particular setting. This class combines the theoretical study of qualitative research methods with the practical experience of conducting fieldwork. As part of a project undertaken with Latina Leaders of Kern County, students will have the opportunity to:

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Course Requirements

Attendance. While this class meets weekly, the real work will be done in the field. Failure to attend class will seriously compromise your ability to pass, because it will affect your field assignment. Students who miss two or more classes without serious (and documented) cause will be docked 50 points (one full grade). Students who miss ANY field assignment will be docked 50 points (one full grade). If you must miss a class, please call in advance (if at all possible).

 

In class. Plan to arrive on time and stay through the entire class. Also: turn OFF cellular phones and put pagers on "vibrate." This kind of noise is disruptive and inappropriate in a class setting.

 

The readings. The required books for this class are the following two:

 

Taylor, Steve J., and Robert Bogdan

1998   Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods: A Guidebook and Resource. Third Edition. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN = 0471168688

Krueger, Richard A., and Mary Anne Casey

2000    Focus Groups: A Practical Guide for Applied Research. (3rd Edition) Sage Publications. ISBN = 0761920714

 

Class discussion and presentations. Discussion is key to the structure of this class. We will be covering new material each week, but a portion of each class period will be set aside to discuss the progress of the field assignment, troubleshoot challenging situations that arise in the field, and reflect on the field experience. Each student will be expected to make an oral presentation of research findings at the end of the quarter.

Papers. No major research paper is required for this class. Instead, you will be learning to code and interpret qualitative data (the results of your interviews and focus groups) and write up your qualitative findings. Write-ups will be due at the beginning of class, and you will be docked 20 points a day for late submission, beginning five minutes after class starts on the due date. You will be given guidelines for how to present your findings, and you will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit the write-up for your final grade.

Reflection. You will be required to keep a field journal and record your experiences from a personal perspective. You will be asked periodically to share from your field journal.

Examinations. There will be a midterm and a final, which will be comprised of short essay questions based on a combination of the readings and your field experiences.

Grading. Grades will be based on your qualitative write-ups (125 points), your field notes (25 points), class participation (50 points), your field journal (50 points), your midterm (75 points), your oral presentation (75 points) and your final (100 points). An "incomplete" will not be given for this class except under the most exceptional circumstances. Again, please note, written assignments are due at the beginning of class.

Mileage Reimbursement and/or Stipends. Traveling more than 30 miles round-trip from CSUB to carry out a field assignment will qualify you for mileage reimbursement at the rate of $0.25/mile. You may elect to conduct field research above and beyond your minimum requirements for the class in order to assist the Latina Leaders of Kern County. Doing so may qualify you for a modest stipend in addition to mileage.

Please note. Dr. King will be the primary instructor in this class. She is available by phone, fax and e-mail at all times, and we encourage you to contact her with any questions or concerns you may have about the class or your field assignment. Dr. Santos is also available for any consultation students may desire to have. Contact info. above.

 

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WEEK 1.        Introduction to Qualitative Research

April 2            Introduction to the class. 

Class topics:            Discussion of course structure and content, field assignments, and related requirements; overview of the Latina Leaders of Kern County needs assessment process; overview of qualitative research methods and their use in field research.

 

WEEK 2.        Conducting Fieldwork: Introduction to Participant Observation

April 9            Readings due:

In Bogdan & Taylor,       Chapter 1, "Go to the People," pp. 2-23

                                          Chapter 2, "Participant Observation: Pre-Fieldwork," pp. 25-43

                                          Chapter 3, "Participant Observation: In the Field," pp. 45-86

Assignment due:                Autobiographical summary

Class topics:            Ethical considerations in field work; the science and art of participant observation; grounded theory; impact of the researcher on his/her subjects; writing field notes; keeping a field journal.

Field assignment:   Practicum in observation and writing field notes

 

WEEK 3.        The Qualitative Interview

April 16          Readings Due:

In Bogdan & Taylor:       Chapter 4, "In-depth Interviewing," pp. 88-116

Assignments Due:        Field notes

Class topics: Structured and unstructured interviews; constructing an interview schedule; active listening skills; engaging the research subject; selection of field sites.

 

WEEK 4.        Conducting Focus Groups

April 23     Readings Due:

In Krueger:                      Chapter 1, "Overview of Focus Groups," pp. 3-18;

                                          Chapter 2, "Planning the Focus Group Study," pp. 19-37;

                                          Chapter 3, "Developing a Questioning Route," pp. 39-67;

                                          Chapter 4, "Participants in a Focus Group," pp. 69-95

Class topics:            Facilitating focus groups; developing focus group questions; logistical considerations in setting up focus groups; troubleshooting personality issues in a focus group setting.

Field assignment:   TBA

 

WEEK 5         MIDTERM

April 30         Troubleshooting Difficult Situations in the Field

                        Class topics:            Handling crises and unexpected challenges; increasing rapport with research subjects; midcourse changes based on what the data tell us.

 

WEEK 6         Analyzing & Interpreting Qualitative Data: The ABC's

May 7        Readings Due:

In Bogdan & Taylor:    Chapter 6, Working with Data: Data Analysis in Qualitative Research 134-164

In Krueger:                   Chapter 6, Analyzing Focus Group Results 125-144

Assignment due:    Transcript of one interview or focus group; field journal

                        Class Topics:           Structuring data analysis; finding patterns and developing category systems; inductive versus deductive analysis; putting data in historical and/or cultural context.

                        Field Assignment:   TBA

 

WEEK 7         Analyzing and Interpreting Qualitative Data: Enhancing Quality and Credibility of Qualitative Analysis

May 14           Readings due:

Handouts:                 Patton, Illustrative Interviews and Case Studies; pp. 440-459

                        Class Topics:           Data interpretation: moving from beyond "touchy feely" into the rigorous (and credible) interpretation of grounded data.

                        Field Assignment:   TBA

 

WEEK 8         Reporting Findings

May 21      Readings Due:

In Bogdan & Taylor:    Chapter 7, Writing and Publishing Qualitative Studies pp. 167-181

In Krueger:                   Chapter 7, Reporting 145-155

Assignment due:    Coded transcripts

                        Class Topics:           How to write a readable and credible report of findings.

 

WEEK 9         Reports from the Field

May 28           No readings

Class topics:            Presentations of findings; blending multiple studies in multiple contexts in report-writing.

                        Assignments due:  Write-ups

 

WEEK 10       Reports from the Field

May 28           No readings

Class topics:            Presentations of findings; processing and decompressing the field experience; review for the final.

                        Assignments due:  Write-ups

 

WEEK 11       FINAL


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