Module 02 - Background Information

Required reading

In module one, two disciplinary perspectives on qualitative research were identified, namely phenomenology and critical social theory.

Some of the common qualitative research methods are:

• Ethnography

• Field study

• Community study

• Case study

• Life history and autobiographical method

• Document analysis and historical study

• Survey study

• Auto ethnography

• Narrative inquiry

• Portraiture

• Action research, collaborative research

• Observational study

The following articles and studies each reports on research that uses one of the following qualitative research methods:

• ethnographic research

• case study research

• grounded theory

• action research

Peer reviewed articles:

Ethnographic research

Read any  one of the following two articles about ethnographic research. The first article is published by Johns Hopkins University and could help you construct a basic understanding of one approach to an ethnographic study:

Burton, L. & Wilson, W.J. (2002) Welfare, Children & Families: A Three-City Study, Brief Description of Ethnographic Component   Retrieved July 2008 from Johns Hopkins University Web site: http://www.jhu.edu/~welfare/ethnographydesc.doc

or read

Schultze, U. 2002. A confessional account of an ethnography about knowledge work  MIS Quarterly, 24 (1) 3-42

CASE STUDY RESEARCH

Book (not required)

You can access the following book in E-brary, which deals with the use of case studies and action research.  You are not required to read the whole book, but can briefly review the relevant content that pertains to case studies.

Chen, LA.1999 Reflective Spin: case studies of Teachers in Higher Education. Transforming Action. World Scientific Company Incorporated

GROUNDED THEORY

• An example of grounded theory

Heneghan, A.M, Mercer, M & DeLeone, N.L. 2004. Will Mothers Discuss Parenting Stress and Depressive Symptoms with their Child's Pediatrician? Pediatrics (Evanston), 113(3) Part 1, 460-468

ACTION RESEARCH

• An example of action research

Newman, J.M. 1998. Action research: Exploring the Tensions of Teaching In Newman, Judith, M. 1998. Tensions of Teaching: Beyond Tips to Critical Reflection. Toronto/New York: Canadian Scholars' Press/Teachers College Press, 1-24.

Additional web resources (not required)

Action research resources, retrieved July 2008 from http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/gcm/ar/arhome.html

Introduction to Case study The Qualitative Report, 3 (2), retrieved July 2008 from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR3-2/tellis1.html

Pandit, N.R. The Creation of Theory:A recent Application of the Grounded Theory Method , retrieved July 2008 from http://www.nova.edu/ssss/QR/QR2-4/pandit.html#top