Ch 8.6 Using Theoretical Framework

1. Ch 8.6 Using Theoretical Framework Kazuya Sakai Graduate Student Dept. of CSSE, Auburn University

2. Theoretical frameworks for qualitative analysis • Basing data analysis around theoretical frameworks provides further insight • Frameworks • Grounded Theory • Distributed Cognition • Activity Theory

3. Grounded Theory • Grounded Theory • Aims to develop theory from systematic analysis of data • Is based on categorization approach, called “coding” • There are three level of coding • Open coding • Axial coding • Selective coding

4. Open Coding • Open coding is to identify categories

5. Axial Coding • Axial coding is to flash out and link to subcategories • 1. Major categories are hierarchically related to subcategories

6. Axial Coding (Cont.) • 2. For each category, a researcher creates a description, called “memo”, to integrate as many of the categories and subcategories as possible

7. Selective coding • Selective coding is to form theoretical scheme • One category is chosen to be the core category, and relating all other category to that category

8. Distributed Cognition • The people, environment, and artifactsare regarded as one cognitive system • Used for analyzing collaborative work • Focuses on information propagation and transformation

9. Example of Distributed Cognition • “Employee verification” at Call Centers

10. Activity Theory • Activity Theory • Explains human behavior in terms of our practical activity with the world • Provides a framework that focuses analysis around the concept of an ‘activity’ and helps to identify tensions between the different elements of the system • Two key models: one outlines what constitutes an ‘activity’; one models the mediating role of artifacts

11. Individual Model • Activity can be found in motivations • e.g., completing software project • Action are performed to accomplish goals • e.g., programming a module • Action are made up of operations • e.g., using operating command

12. Individual Model (Cont.) • Activity can be action, and action can be operation • e.g., a child learns alphabet • A child learns how to control a pen • A child controls a pen to spell words • A student writes a book report

13. Engestrom’s activity system model • http://csalt.lancs.ac.uk/alt/engestrom/

14. In Class Exercise • What is Grounded Theory • What is Distribution Cognition • What is Activity Theory