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Field work with people: Methods conference 23 rd March 2010 Mary Upton Development Policy and Practice [email protected]

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Mary Upton's presentation on field work research

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Page 1: Mu Fieldwork 23 03 10

Field work with people:Methods conference

23rd March 2010

Mary UptonDevelopment Policy and Practice

[email protected]

Page 2: Mu Fieldwork 23 03 10

Session plan

• Plan outline

• Student research plans and concerns

• Preparations for field work and the field work process

• Final comments and questions

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Aims and objectivesTo provide• An overview of the key issues involved

• Time to raise concerns and exchange experiences

To help researchers to• Find ways to think about and plan their own field work

• Gain the confidence to do their work in an ethical and enjoyable way

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Why field work with people?

Can you do this research any other way?• The research questions - seeking answers through

approach and method

‘Doing it right’ - ethical procedures and the ongoing process

• The OU Participants and Materials Ethics Committee• Chair John Oates:

http://intranet.open.ac.uk/strategy-unit/offices/ethics/human.shtml

• Local ethics committees

Page 5: Mu Fieldwork 23 03 10

Methodological approaches and methods

The approach - ways of constructing the story• Quantitative/qualitative or both; objective facts/social

construction of reality; deductive/inductive or both? • Rationale: why this choice?

Methods - the rationale for data collection • Decisions: feasibility? • Innovations and ‘brownie points’ • Transparency and clarity

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The role of ethics

Ethics and procedures• Key issues: consent, confidentiality, anonymity and

protection of respondents and researchers from harm • Seeking ethical approval: the OU and beyond• Respect: being hosted; busy people and the research

burden; appropriate dress and behaviour• Questions of power and control • Respondents’ expectations and ‘giving back’: promises

and feedback

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Who are you engaging in your research?

Study populations and sampling• Statistical or purposive?• What are the human, social, organisational, geographical

boundaries?• What kind of relationship do you want/need with them and

how will you establish it?• Fit the sample size appropriate to method• Justify comparisons or groups• Clarify key characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity …

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Contact and access issues - timing

Building relationships • Letters of introduction, emails and phone calls

Maintaining relationships• Ongoing contact: emails, phone calls and texts?• Post-field work contact?• Gatekeepers and respondents: taking time; building trust;

negotiating access

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The procedures

Pilot studies and research periods • Trials and revisions• Timing and periods of reflection

Practical issues• Before you go: visas/permits; risk assessments;

insurance; vaccines; budgets; local institutions; business cards; contacts

• Take: maps; insurance certificate; document copies; passport photos; ethical clearance

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Data collection and storage

Collecting and recording • Audio, video, maps, drawings, diagrams, photographs,

other - feasibility?• Departmental equipment loans• Notes and diaries

Storage • Multiple copies - memory sticks and hard copies• Sending home - OU storage systems

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Unexpected events• Holidays and absences: timing data collection; doing

other things• Non-responses in the field: new directions? • Political events: as data?• Missed appointments and latecomers: more data?• Equipment and power failure: back-up!• Being over-awed and questions of domination• Your position in the research: objectivity/subjectivity –

balance of professionalism and human response

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Coming homeData analysis • Don’t panic!• Looking at processes, trends, relationships, patterns,

commonalities and differences • Software: data storage and paper trails• Discarding data, or laying aside for papers/new research• Standing back and re-engaging

Thesis writing• Rationale for approach and methods; describe, explain;

justify innovations; specifics and generalisations?

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And finally …

• With hindsight: internet connections

• Be Confident: finding your own style and rhythm

• Take time out: standing back and relaxing

• Enjoy the experience: fun and/or life changing?

Thank you