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“ Qualitating the Quantitative:” MSDC As Cognitive and Qualitative Framework for Integrating. "Humans speak. But sociology is silent about that fact“ (Bernstein) … might better be “Humans think … and speak … but rarely just tick boxes” Even systematic/”quantitative” data (“the Task”) is:
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“Qualitating the Quantitative:”MSDC As Cognitive and Qualitative Framework for Integrating • "Humans speak. But sociology is silent about that fact“ (Bernstein) … might better be • “Humans think … and speak … but rarely just tick boxes” • Even systematic/”quantitative” data (“the Task”) is: • generated in a cognitive context (respondents think about it) • often is (or can be) elicited in verbalising contexts • Which are equally constitutive of the data • And should not be treated just as a separate resource (“quotable quotes”) • The “talk” part is highly referential, so context (and instantiation) is crucial to it, • and NEEDS TO BE KEPT TOGETHER WITH “TASK” data!
Systematic Elicitation • (written/spoken) textual material generated by “tasks” • vs free-flowing text (Bernard) • Methods of systematic data-collection (MSDC) provide framework to elicit subjects’ judgments (information and/or evaluations) of a domain, In this perspective … • Each subject’s judgment is a [systematic] datum (and primary) • Her reasonings, thoughts, comments are a gloss (a “narrative aside”) (and secondary). • Hence “qualitating the quantitative”
Methods of Systematic Elicitation • Methods commonly used in cognitive disciplines • Anthroology, psychology, sociology … • ELICITING DOMAIN ELEMENTS • Free Listing (What x’s are there? Give me examples of x’s) • Recursive concept analysis (Kiss ’72) • Free ( divisive) Taxonomy (what sorts of x’s are there, repeated); • FIXED ELEMENT SET: structure • Free Sorting (what x’s go together?)aka Pile sorts • Pair-comp; triads (for each pair, triad … sim/dom) • Ratings, Rankings (comparison) • Hierachies (agglomerative)
(Basic) Free-Sorting Method (1) • See Coxon 1999 • Define set of p objects • (nb may be words, phrases as well as names of things) • Decide on whether free or fixed # categories/piles • Give (or display) to {R} to familiarise himself & lay out • On cards, with ID# on back • Give instructions for task • Usually criterion is “general similarity”, “go together” • Sort into “as many or as few” piles as desired • Singletons must be kept as separate pile & not put together • Free to make, break or re-make piles until satisfied
(Basic) Free-Sorting Method (2) • (if face-to-face) ENCOURAGE THE {R} TO VERBALIZE • And arrange for recording, if possible, • and marking point of actions • Possibly record p-c-j strategy (M&M U3.14) • When {R} is satisfied with arrangement • Note what the arrangement is (line? Clustering? Positioning) • Ask for brief name for each non-singleton group/pile (nsg) • Note down contents of each group and short name • Ask {R} to describe, talk about, each nsg
Free-Sorting Method (3: Data Entry) • In this exercise, we also gather background information • In the simple form, this can be either entered directly at the console, or a paper copy can be used, and entered later. • In the face-to-face form, • the first part is filled in with the {R}, and • when the actual sorting is reached, it is done WITH the {R} with special attention paid to the verbalization • And the rest of the form completed. • Then … • Enter the data • write up the verbalization, then • Write up your Report PDQ!
Transcription / Report • And transcribe the verbal data, with instantiation … • TRANSCRIPTION • Its detail and “apparatus” depend on the purpose • Conversation analysis has extensive paralinguistic signs for forms of grunt and expletives …. Through to • Interview Record, which makes no attempt at ipsissima verba • Decide in advance how detailed and sanitized (see Coxon M&M, U4.1: Official vs Full Transcript of an Hierarches task) • Basic reference is CAQDAS’ Cookbook http://www.icbl.hw.ac.uk/ltdi/cookbook/info_transcribing/ • And see website for additional refs. • A full Report of a Sorting is given in M&M/U2.3 • Yours need not be so full -- but need to include Description, Group Content, Short Group names and verbatim Long Descriptions
Data Checking and Entry • FOR EACH{R} … • Enter the {R}’s ID as your initials and a sequential no. • Number sequentially the {R} ‘s groups (including each singleton separately) • Enter the data in “PDF” (preferred data format) • Entry in drug-column is the group number to which it is allocated (see Coxon 1999 , p19) • so, off you go!!