Qualitative Research

1. Case Study Ethnographic Research Ex-Post Facto Research (Causal-comparative Research) Email Case Study (Markus) Qualitative Research

2. Units of Study: Observation & Analysis of Some Individual Unit Person, small group large group, community Methods of Study: Focus upon & analyse in depth some aspect of the unit Diversity of Methods Questionnaire Interview Tests Observation Case Study

3. Participatory Observation Researcher engaged in activities Anonymity Danger of Subjectivity Detached Observation Researcher remains aloof from activities Easier to remain neutral Danger of influencing behaviours Case Study - Types of Observation

4. Study of Cultures culture is defined in terms of any group that engage in collective social action and display structured patterns of interaction. through the observation of every day behaviours Ethnographic Research – Introduction

5. Relativistic Approach the main emphasis is upon capturingthe perspective of the individuals being observed relative to the situation. Grounded Theory Approach ideas emerge from the synthesis of thedata collected hypothesis generation is a continuous process throughout the time of the study Ethnographic Research – Approaches

6. Ex Post Facto/ Causal Comparative Research #1* • Causal-comparative (also called Ex Post Facto) is a research method that can suggest cause and effect between two or more groups of classrooms. • However, the data have already been generated so you are not manipulating any groups. * The following slides are based on on-line material [Ref]

7. Ex Post Facto/ Causal Comparative Research #2* • You work with the scores that have been produced from records on something like standardized scores. • Now if it is only one group, then it is action research. CC or ex post facto involves at least two groups of subjects. • Any predetermined variable such as gender, SES, broken homes, retention ,etc. can be causal comparative research. * The following slides are based on on-line material [Ref]

8. Ex Post Facto/ Causal Comparative Research #3* • Examples: • Comparing Academic Achievement of First Graders Who Attended Kindergarten Versus Those Who Did Not Attend • Comparing Whole Language Reading Scores of Second Graders Versus Traditional Basal Scores of Second Graders • Academic Achievement of Second Graders from Broken Homes versus Academic Achievement of Second Graders From Non-Broken Homes * The following slides are based on on-line material [Ref]

9. This is an example of theoretical research in which the case study was conducted to test theory Information Richness Theory People are rational actors - they will choose a medium appropriate to their task Social Context Theory People are social actors - they take cues from other people about appropriate ways to behave Critical Mass Theory people behave rationally in their use of communication tools Email Case Study (Markus)

10. Tutorial Topic • Email Case-study (Markus) • Read the handout several times and write a one page summary picking out the point that seem important to you for a discussion next week.