mu fieldwork 23 03 10
DESCRIPTION
Mary Upton's presentation on field work researchTRANSCRIPT
Field work with people:Methods conference
23rd March 2010
Mary UptonDevelopment Policy and Practice
Session plan
• Plan outline
• Student research plans and concerns
• Preparations for field work and the field work process
• Final comments and questions
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
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
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
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
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 …
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
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
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
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
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?
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