W I N T E R

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Qualitative Research
Representation of My Learning EDCI 6280

Good Qualitative Researcher Skills

Qualitative researchers have the following skills:

The Role of the Researcher

A qualitative researcher needs to describe relevant aspects of self, including any biases and assumptions, any expectations, and experiences to qualify his or her ability to conduct the research (Greenbank, 2003). Researchers Cycle
www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/files/dml/5730.ppt!

Asks probing questions Be a good listener Asks more probing questions Gets to deep levels of conversation Be observant Always reflecting Be aware of personal lens Seeks to build a picture using ideas Uses theories from a wide variety of sources
Greenbank (2003)

Set Goals
September 15th

Safe Schools
September 30th

School October 11th Holiday

The researcher is the instrument.

A Good Qualitative Researcher Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSdxYb2IVwg

BETH RILEY

DECEMBER 2013

Dimensions of Qualitative Research

1. Ontology beliefs about nature of reality. Assumptions of what is real whether it can be known and how? 2. Axiology beliefs about truth 3. Epistemology beliefs about how valid knowledge can be gained. Knowing what do we know and how do we come to know it, who can be a knower (Dr. Patterson). 4. Methodology philosophical and theoretical stance/approach 5. Methods tools and procedures

Ritchie & Spencer (2002) state, Qualitative data analysis is essentially about detection, and the tasks of defining, categorizing, theorizing, explaining, exploring and mapping are fundamental to the analysts role (p. 309).

BETH RILEY

DECEMBER 2013

Qualitative Research Steps for Analysis and Interpretation

Step 1: Data Preparation Phase ! What data will be collected? ! How and who will transcribe your data? ! How will you store the data? Step 2 & 3: Data Exploration Phase & Data Reduction Phase ! Get familiar with data ! Write research memos summarize ideas ! Code data (descriptive codes) ! Look for patterns in data Step 4: Interpretation ! Involvement with the data at an intimate level. ! Be objective (avoid bias). ! Determine if your interpretation is valid and reliable.

Qualitative analysis is intellectual craftsmanship (Hesse-Biber & Leavy, 2011).

The Coding Process

1. Assigning words to segments of 3. Condensing data into analyzable texts. segments. 2. Sorting coded text segments in new 4. Goal - generating analytical ways. concepts.
Hesse-Biber & Leavy, P. (2011)
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BETH RILEY

DECEMBER 2013

My Research Agenda
How to apply qualitative research within my agenda? RESEARCH QUESTIONS
How do superintendents perceive the influence of school board training on the relationship between the board of trustees and the superintendent?

QUALITATIVE SURVEY
A qualitative survey will be created to send to private school superintendents and school board members.
A qualitative survey is used to determine the diversity of some topic of interest within a population. It establishes the meaningful variation within the population (Jansen, 2010).

IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS
In-depth interviews will be conducted with 10 private school superintendents and 10 private school board members.
In-depth interview conversation between the researcher and the interviewee that requires active asking and listening (Hesse-Biber & Leavy, 2011).

BETH RILEY

DECEMBER 2013

Qualitative Research Methodologies MicroEthnomethodolog

Phenomenology Grounded Theory

Performance Ethnography Video Ethnography

Participatory

Autoethnograph
Case Life History Oral History

Ethnograph Observations

Documen t

Focus Group

BETH RILEY

DECEMBER 2013

References
Hesse-Biber, S., N. & Leavy, P. (2011). The practice of qualitative research (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, USA: SAGE. Greenbank, P. (2003). The role of values in educational research: the case for reflexivity. British Educational Research Journal, 29 (6). Hesse-Biber, S., N. & Leavy, P. (2011). The practice of qualitative research (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, USA: SAGE. Jansen, H. (2010). The logic of qualitative survey research and its position in the field of social research methods. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 11(2). Ritchie, J., & Spencer, L. (2002). Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research. The qualitative researchers companion, 305-329.