Week 3Qualitative Approaches to Field Research

GEOG 4520B 3.0Research Design and Field Studies

Department of GeographyFaculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

York UniversityFall Term 2010-2011

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Expose yourself to …

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Method and Methodology: don’t forget the big picture

• Distinction between method and methodology• Method is “the ‘process’ or technical means of gathering data. (Hoggart

et al, 2002: 310). The doing of research, in other words.• Methodology: “A coherent set of rules and procedures which can be

used to investigate a phenomenon or situation (within the framework dictated by epistemological and ontological ideas). (Kitchin & Tate, 2000: 6). Methodology: the philosophy of doing research.

• Methodology “embraces issues of methods of data collection and analysis when these are grounded in the bedrock of a specific view on the nature of ‘reality’ (ontology) and the basis on which knowledge claims are made (epistemology).” (Hoggart et al, 2002: 310)

• Method includes but is not limited to data collection and analysis.• “Every research tool or procedure is inextricably embedded in

commitments to particular versions of the world.” (Hughs, 1980: 13, cited in Hoggart et al, 2002: 35)

• Designing your research method requires you to consider normative questions – questions concerning values and intentions and ways of thinking about and experiencing the world.

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Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

• Quantitative methods: include statistics, mathematical modelling, demographic-based research, GIS and other forms of spatial analysis

• Qualitative methods: “a set of techniques that are used to explore subjective meanings, values and emotions [and] include interviewing, participant observation and visual imagery”

• Many research projects use a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods.

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How (and why) to Choose

• Do you want to generalize patterns (extrapolating from samples to populations)?

• Do you want to establish causality? Correlation?• Are you playing an advocacy role?• Are you interested in setting or changing policy?

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Quantitative Data

• Quantitative data “are generally structured and the data consist of numbers or empirical facts that can easily be ‘quantified’ and analysed using numeric (statistical) techniques.” (Kitchin & Tate, 2000: 40)

• Characteristics of quantitative methodologies: scientific, objective, “inquiry from the outside”, deductive, functionalist, realistic, deal in explanation and prediction, generality, populations, large sample sizes, incidence and frequency, artificial (models?), macro, society (Kitchin & Tate, 2000: 40)

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Qualitative Data

• Qualitative data “are generally unstructured and consist of words, pictures, and sounds.” (Kitchin & Tate, 2000: 40)

• Qualitative method(ologies) “explore the feelings, understandings, and knowledges of others through interviews, discussions, or participant observation … to explore some of the complexities of everyday life in order to gain a deeper insight into the processes shaping our social worlds.” (Dwyer & Limb, 2002: 1, in Limb & Dwyer)

• Characteristics of qualitative methodologies: humanistic, subjective, data gathered personally, “inquiry from the inside”, inductive, interpretive, idealistic, about meaning and understanding, indivudal(s), small sample sizes, extrapolation, micro, participants, self (Kitchin & Tate, 2000: 40)

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You are not, of course, restricted to any single approach or method. Most geographic research combines methods and approaches.

[Advice: don’t try to use too many methods. One or two should be enough]

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Research Methods and Data Sources- Questionnaires / surveys- Interviews- Observation and participant observation- Statistical data (e.g., census, industrial data, real estate data, municipal

records)- Geo-referenced data (GIS)- Case studies- Action research- Content analysis and discourse analysis (texts, films, images, etc.)- Document study (archival research)- Ethnography- Focus group research- Oral histories- Etc.

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A few further considerations ...

• Research ethics (human participants, informed consent)• Howe much can you do in the time available?• Sample sizes• Who to talk to, and where, and when• How to analyze your data / information

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Marshall and Rossman’s Model of the Research Cycle (1989, 1995)

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QuestionFocus

Theory

Models

Concepts

Hypothesis

Operalizational

Tools and IndicesObservations;data collection

DataAnalysis

Description

Generalization

Explanation

Prediction

Policy &Practice

Field Research Proposal: Suggested Format

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Section Content Length

Working Title

Should represent your research interest as clearly as possible at this stage of your research. It will probably change later, which is why it is called a ‘working’ title.

1. Central Research Question

A clear statement of your central question, problem or hypothesis. This is similar to a thesis statement in the sense that it should explain what you plan to explore, how you plan to study it, and why it is worth investigating.

1 or 2 paragraphs

2. Context / backgroun

d

An introduction to the geographic theories or explanations that underlie or inform your field research. What is the broader context of your research?

1-2 pages

3. Methods and

approaches

What field research methods do you plan to use? Questionnaires? Interviews? Participant observation? Content or discourse analysis? Include a preliminary list of questions / an outline of your method as you envision applying it in the field.

1-2 pages

4. Chronology / timetable

Outline a schedule for your research, identifying what components you hope to accomplish and when (a week-by-week schedule is especially helpful)

1 page

5. Conclusion

A brief comment on what you hope your research will accomplish. How do you hope it will contribute to geographic knowledge or understandings of Kensington Market?

1 paragraph

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