Posted by bob on April 20, 2000, at 20:23:55
In reply to Re: Group Dynamics Research: Take 2 [long intro], posted by Noa on April 20, 2000, at 13:00:03
1st ... just wanted to assure folks that no analysis of data has begun. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed first. If you do have any questions you want answered -- but not in this public forum -- please email Dr. Bob or me and we will get back to you personally. Someone has already taken the initiative to do just this -- thanks for your feedback.
From KimK
> Wow. Any attempt to track postings by submitter could be hindered by name changes.and Noa
> Question for bob--how will you deal with any problems of perspective arising from analyzing interactions involving your own posts from the time you joined until the end of December, 99?Both get into some heavy-duty methodology issues. In terms of looking at past posts, what makes most sense to me at this time is to examine threads as (potentially) indepedent discourses. This needs to happen in any event before any connections are examined between threads. So, with respect to name changes, I don't expect to see this within a thread even though I know it has happened across different threads.
By focusing on threads, it also helps reduce the influence my posts or any other individual's posts may have. Remember, being lower-case bob due to some portion of low self-esteem, I could just as easily "favor" Noa's or Cam's or JanetR's or Saint James' posts. ;^). But this is an important concern in any participant-observer research. From an interpretive perspective, it means being honest and open from the start as to what my personal beliefs are with respect to the topic, so that any reader can examine arguments made and ask for herself whether my views have biased the investigation. It also draws into focus the need in qualitative research to demonstrate analytic claims with evidence from the raw data. Finally, it also demonstrates the importance of something I'm not sure I had the chance to mention in the intro above -- an analytic tool called a member check. It basically means that when the first take on the analyses are done and initial relationships described, it's time to take your findings to the community studied and ask them if it makes any sense.
In other words, you get a chance to see the results before they really are "results", providing feedback ranging from "that sounds like us" to "bob, you really ought to start signing your name BOB if you want to pedal that on us!". ;^)
cheers,
bob
poster:bob
thread:30694
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000420/msgs/30763.html