SOCIOL 2Z03 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Analytic Induction, Grounded Theory, Field Experiment
11 Sep 2018
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CHAPTER 14: QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
INTRO
• Making sense of the world through field notes/transcripts/documents has advantages and
disadvantages
o Pursue thoughts and interpretation unavailable in quan
• Quan disadvantage: produces a shit ton of data
o Finding a path is hard when u have a bunch of data
o Learning techniques of quan data is hard too but at least there are unambigious rules
(qual doesn’t have that)
GENERAL STRATEGIES OF QUAL DATA ANALYSIS
Analytic induction
• A difference between qual and quan: quan analysis after, qual is interative
• Analytic induction is an ex of type of qual research that uses interative research
o Begins w rough research question, hypothetical answer, data collection
• Analytic induction seek universal explanations of phenomenon that permit no exception
o If a case is inconsistent with the hypothesis, it is redefined to exclude that case or
reformed
• Data collection continues until no new inconsistences are found
o A special case of grounded theory (100% of the time)
o Rare requirement to be able to explain all cases
• Analytic induction is not preferred although it is rigorous
• Another problem with analytic induction (unlike grounded theory): it doesn’t provide useful
guidelines on number of cases required until absence of negative cases can be assumed and
validity can be confirmed
GROUNDED THEORY
• ‘A theory that was derived from data systematically gathered and analyzed through the research
process’
• 2 central features: development of theory out of data and interative/recursive approach in
which data collection and analysis proceed in tandem referring back to each other
• Most widely used framework for analyzing qual data
• Controversy: doesn’t at difference between concepts and categories
o Former usually replaces later
BASIC FEATURES OF GROUNDED THEORY
• Coding: data is broken down into component parts n given names
o Unlike quan w preconceived standardized codes, the interpretation of data shape
emergent codes in grounded theory
• Constant comparison: continuous comparison of new/existing w/in a particular
category/concept after some have been coded
o Needs sensitivity of differences
Document Summary
The observation schedule: devising a schedule is crucial, considerations are similar structure interview schedule. Clear focus: research problem clearly stated (must know who you are observed and which behaviours need to be recorded) Categories of behaviour must be mutually exclusive and exhaustive: pilot studies help figure out possible problems with lack exhaustiveness. Classification must be easy: more complex may be unworkable. Problems occur when there are too many interpretations of the observation schedule. If interpretation is needed, there should be guidelines. Inter-observer consistency: considering how closely 2+ observers of the same behaviour agree on how to code it. Is the observation schedule being administered as directed: ensuring they follow instructions exactly: variability between observers overtime makes study unreliable and invalid. Do people (cid:272)ha(cid:374)ge thei(cid:396) (cid:271)eha(cid:448)iou(cid:396) (cid:449)he(cid:374) the(cid:455) (cid:374)o(cid:449) the(cid:455) a(cid:396)e (cid:271)ei(cid:374)g o(cid:271)se(cid:396)(cid:448)e: if (cid:455)es, it(cid:859)s a reactive effect: then are considered atypical or unauthentic, mccall: people becoming used to researchers thinking they are less intrusive.
