Notes

Outline

Communication in Context: Methods for Data Collection

Research/Data Collection Method Quantitative Hypothesis testing Prestructured instrumentation-objective, countable data Experimenter/Scientist: objective, attempting to avoid bias Qualitative No hypothesis Unstructured or loosely structured-objective and subjective data, observable data Experimenter/Scientist—”Participant Observer”

Qualitative Research and Data Collection Individual can NOT be separated from context (situational, interpersonal/social, cultural) Individual behavior cannot be broken down into discrete variables to be measured Behaviors are part of the context; understanding behaviors can only be done if they are viewed as part of the context

Ethnography Field methods, Naturalistic Methods Interpretative approach to data collection and analysis Observe “everything about the situation” Take into consideration perspective and biases Interpret the data by trying to explain the interaction Phenomenology Deep understanding of individual Sense of empathy – “seeing through another’s eyes”  (Tuesdays with Morrie)

Tools and Methods of Ethnography *Observation *Interviews Photographs Logs/Journals/Diaries Records

Observation Elements Participant Observer Thick description Interpretation Conclusions

Observation Participant Observer You, as observer, are part of the context, whether or not you are directly or indirectly involved You become part of the context

Observation “Thick Description” OBJECTIVE observation, description, notation of details re. setting, participants, materials, activities What you see and hear, “mundane” as well as “stand outs” SUBJECTIVE “on-line” observation-BRACKET of what you or others are thinking or feeling

Observation Interpretation—based on your thick description: Look for recurring themes and patterns Provide multiple examples to explain your interpretation, and when possible, multiple  observations and data sources

Observation Conclusion Explain influence of situational, interpersonal, cultural variables Verify that your interpretations “ring true”—go back to sources if possible

Interview Start Open-ended—Become More Specific “Grand Tour” questions What is it like to live with Huntington’s Disease? Follow-up Questions Tell me about your family. How have your relationships changed?

Interview Transcribe what is said—objective Interpret the comments-look for themes

Ethnography Strengths Become part of the data “Feel” the situation—make reader feel as though he/she is there Depth and breadth of behavior Challenges Controlling biases; keeping objective and subjective data separate Noticing important behaviors, contextual variables Verifying interpretations and conclusions