Qualitative-ethnography - Science method

Hi Wei Wei... My answer may make you more confused than before, but I see a lot of disconnection that need to be addressed before you proceed with selecting your analysis approach.

I think you need to be clear of your epistemological & ontological position to make your research design more cohesive. I sense a mixture of a lot of positions just by looking at the terms that you use. Terms like ethnography, construction, triangulation, narrative, discourse need epistemological grounding since they can have different meaning or may even be inappropriate for certain positions. Researchers within these fields are very particular and even finicky, so you have to be very careful.

Your view on discourse is also unclear. Do you say discourse because you are analysing 'texts' or discourse as an ideological practice?

Without having a clear position, you will be questioned on your choice of data sources and collection strategy even before going into the analysis. E.g., why do you need to have multiple sources of data? Why ethnographic interview and not other interview methods or qualitative methods?

If you need further guidance/ explanation/ reading materials, please feel free to drop me a message.

Are you thinking of a theoretical model or a model for performing the data collection?

Yes, ethnography is a systematic, comprehensive and topic oriented approach using observation and participation or particularly participant observation. I think the concept of ethnography as "thick description" as coined by Clifford Geertz is relevant here. Ethnographers can also study their own societies or communities, which might be more challenging than studying other foreign societies.

Marilyn Strathern "Cutting the Network" (article) and Partial Relations (book).

If I may,

the narrative is not relevant as a series of ideas, those ideas change,

especially given Trump's flip flopping. The narrative is based on groupthink around a personnality (trump) and leaders (pro trump figures, some of the republican leadership) though the identity itself is built, on opposition to mainstream elites, within the right wing. The most effective counter narrative would be to challenge the validity of the basis of the group or the narrative, to destabilize the current ideological bubble. Either showing that elites are just people that should not be opposed as a group, or to show that Trump is not deviating from the mainstream. That would be limited by the fact that the counter narrative cannot be deployed by people who would have interest in lying and can still be dismissed as a democrat plot. Ultimately, the only way to properly engage such a narrative is first on an individual basis, where group effects can be minimized, and then to put such objective and unquestionable points (to a Trump supporter not a liberal) that they would be listened to even if they are opposite to what the group's narrative is.

Reza,

I did have a fill in the gaps approach yes and validations refreshed over time.I have some references supporting this and was wondering if there were more possibilities to add.

Hello, Bhaskar Agarwal...I have been researching digital recorders for about six months now. I have found that it is between two recorders regarding best bang for buck: the Olympus DM-620 and the Sony UX-533. The Olympus appears to be slightly better for recording everything (all sounds) and comes with software for audio mixing. However, the Sony appears to be better at one thing, interview recording. Both of these recorders are around $100 and obtainable from Amazon. Both have the following: PCM, USB recharge/connection, microSD, dual mics, and great battery life. Personally, I chose the Sony, as it has an easier to use interface, is cheaper than the Olympus, and won out overall in one blind test of clarity in playback for voice. I also researched the more expensive recorders, over $300. The more expensive recorders appear to be more for professional reporters, podcasters, and businesses, as they have way more features than we would ever need for qualitative inquiry as stand alone researchers. Good luck, and I hope this helps.

Hello, Jim Davis...I examined more professional recorders too, and it would appear that Olympus is the company to go with, as they specialize in making enterprise level recording equipment for business environments. Specifically, the flagship model Olympus DS-7000 has everything you want, including password protection and file encryption for HIPAA. If you are not the person transcribing, your transcribers will love you for using this particular device, as it is very user friendly for transcribers regarding indexing and such. Olympus also has some of the industry best accompanying software for business level dictation. I would have purchased this model, but there is simply no need, as it has way more functions than I need for the research I am a part of. The DS-7000 goes for about $500 from Amazon.com or Transcriptiongear.com. Good luck, and I hope this helps.

Here's what's available in RG:

I'm with Ana on this one, but I am also a bit con-fuss-ed.  Qualitative methodologies do not need such a convoluted methodological approach. Why not review the primary data if it is available...I have refreshed my own data through a new analysis or new theoretical framework. But it is probably easier to enter into a discussion with other authors if its for a literature review. If you can justify what you are doing, just explain yourself and leave an audit trail. Qualitative methodologies are bricolage - patch work creativity.

Thank you SO much to all of you! Actually there is a special problem in specific regions of Hungary (that Slovakia was a part of at that time) in this period, leading almost to extinction of the population of several villages, some authors call it a "Kuriosität in den Anallen der Demographie" (Ildiko Vasary). In my opinion this specific one-child system is not to be considered as a part of the classical demographic transition in Europe, that´s why it is so interesting. I also think in this case foremost the anthropological theories and comparison with other parts of the world might be suitable. In any case, the literature and hints you all suggested will be definitely very useful, thank you!

Here's another one:

Hanssen, I. & Alpers, L. (2010). Interpreters in Intercultural Health Care Settings: Health professionals’ and professional interpreters’ cultural knowledge, and their reciprocal perception and collaboration. Journal of Intercultural Communication, 23. http://www.immi.se/intercultural/nr23/hanssen.htm

I think this largely depends on your personal style/requirements, but some software I have used in the past (depending on the specific project):

* Atlas.ti

* nVivo

* Microsoft OneNote

* Evernote (or similar like Google Keep etc.)

* Citavi

* Various mindmapping packages

For a normal user, that know how to install a software and manage folders ecc., if following the provided tutorial step by step, i think in 3-4 hour you can start to transcribe,or make annotations to videos and a basic coding. There are also some good screen cast The help is quite good (English language only) and I recommend to read it all.

There is a nice guided tour ( http://www.transana.org/about/Tour/index.htm )

You can download a demo version (read the install notes) on the page http://www.transana.org/download/demo.htm , don't forget to download the demo video and demo transcript. Demo version has some limitations (i.e. in the number of clips that you can add and in the name of the database, but is fully functional).

For Windows version is important to install Quick time (free at apple http://www.apple.com/it/quicktime/download/ ) before install Transana, I think for Mac users this isn't a problem (Check install notes).

David Woods generally give quick answer to problems (1/2 days).

If you need help you can write to me, I am a windows user.

What kind of work you have to do?