Schedule:
Sessions
1. Introduction
Brief presentation of lecturers, participants and their research. Introduction to the course.
2. Research design and access
How do I formulate research questions that can be addressed through fieldwork? How do I identify the appropriate 'field'? How do I identify and approach informants? Which ethical considerations are important to design the research and accessing the field? How can fieldwork shed light on structural relations of power, and how might relations of power influence the conduct and outcomes of research?
3. Participant observation and life history interviews
Which data collection methods can be used in fieldwork? How can different data collection methods benefit from each other? What does participant observation entail? What is the academic value of 'hanging out'? What characterizes life history interviews as a method?
4. Semi-structured interviews
How structured or open should interviews be? How can I best prepare for my interviews? What are different approaches to constructing interview guides for semi-structured interviews? Should I also collect specific background information about interviewees? If so, why and how?
5. Language, note-taking and recording
What do I do if I don't speak the language of my informants? How do I address the issue of recording or not? How can I ensure that my notes become a valuable resource when fieldwork is over? How do I protect my fieldwork data?
6. Relationships and risks in the field
How do I present myself and my research in a fieldwork setting? What are the implications of gender, age, national background and other characteristics of the researcher? How do I manage relationships with informants and gatekeepers? What are some of the risks and ethical challenges I might face while doing fieldwork?
7. Introduction to analysing fieldwork data
How can I analyse my fieldwork data? What does coding entail in qualitative research? This session addresses general aspects of the analytical process. (The more specific aspects of coding with NVivo software for qualitative research are addressed in session 11).
8. Working with quotations from the field
How can I make effective use of quotes from informants when I am writing? Are there rules for doing it correctly? How much or how little should the voice of informants be visible in the text? What are strategies for diversifying the use of quoted material?
9. Writing and representing fieldwork data
How do I convey fieldwork insights in writing? Which ethical concerns are important in the writing phase? How can ethnographic data be properly anonymized in publications? What are the common challenges of fieldwork-based research in the review process of academic journals?
Sessions 10–12 make up the optional day 4.
Day 4 is designed specifically for participants who already use, or plan to use, NVivo for the analysis of ethnographic data. The purpose is to bridge the gap between (1) the methodological, theoretical, and ethical aspects of ethnography, and (2) the technical use of software. Participants must bring their own laptop with NVivo installed and be familiar with the very basics of the programme (Free trial versions and video tutorials are available at www.qsrinternational.com/nvivo).[1] More advanced users will also benefit from the sessions, since the primary focus is on analytical use rather than purely technical skills.
10. Constructing a good framework of nodes
What characterizes a good system for coding? How should different types of ethnographic data and different approaches to coding affect the framework of nodes? What are the dilemmas that have to be addressed when you design the framework? How does it make a difference if you work together with others or not?
11. Analysing fieldwork data through coding
A hands-on session in which participants work on the same text and explore the issues that arise in applying a set of codes. We will use the experience to discuss the subjective and interpretive aspects of the coding process.
12. Exploring additional analyses in NVivo
A hands-on session that goes beyond the fundamental code-and-retrieve functionality to explore the analytical use of additional functions in NVivo. We will, for instance, combine thematic coding with the use of sets, case nodes, attributes, and matrices.
Schedule
Monday 19 March
09:00–10:00 1. Introduction
10:00–12:00 2. Research design and access
13:00–16:00 3. Participant observation and life history interviews
Tuesday 20 March
09:00–10:15 4. Semi-structured interviews
10:30–12:00 5. Language, note-taking and recording
13:00–16:00 6. Relationships and risks in the field
Wednesday 21 March
09:00–10:45 7. Introduction to analysing fieldwork data
11:00–12:00 8. Working with quotations from the field
13:00–16:00 9. Writing and representing fieldwork data
Thursday 22 March (optional)
09:00–10:00 10. Constructing a good framework of nodes
10:00–12:00 11. Analysing fieldwork data through coding
13:00–16:00 12. Exploring additional analyses in NVivo
[1] Familiarity with the very basics means having opened the programme, knowing what 'sources' and 'nodes' are, and having coded something.
Deadlines:
Applications must be submitted via this online submission form. There has been great interest in this course in the past and the number of spaces is limited, so it is unlikely that we can accept all applicants. The application deadline is 1 February 2018 and applicants will be notified of the outcome by 9 February 2018.
Requirements:
In order to obtain credits for the course, participants must submit a paper of 3000–5000 words. (Deadline to be confirmed.) The paper should address all the following topics:
· The relationship between the research question(s) and fieldwork-based knowledge
· The specific fieldwork methodology employed
· Methodological and ethical challenges and ways of addressing these challenges
Depending on the nature and current stage of the participant's own research, the paper can be an account of fieldwork methodology already employed in their own research, a plan for fieldwork methodology to be employed in their own research, or a plan for fieldwork methodology to be employed in a proposed future project.
This course
is free of charge, but students will have to cover their own travel costs. PhD
students may apply for an accommodation stipend.
Admission:
Please indicate if you will participate on 22 March in the comments section of the application form.
All participants must upload their CV.