Qualitative Methods

Qualitative Methods

1. empiricist explanatory studies of norm evolution

2. interpretative studies, reflecting on social meaning and how the social world is produced

   • rejection of scientific inference

3. NO particular epistemology

4. Data collection

   • interviews *
     • focus groups
       • internet based research
         • archieval/document based research
           • monuments/maps/arts
             • in any case: TRIANGULATION matters, relying on multiple sources of data
               • in order to protect reader from misinformation (e.g. stemming from biased interviews)
                 • we must be transparent about documents used and NOT used (the scope)
               • MAKES VISIBLE inconsistencies (e.g. btw interviews and media reports)
           • most common
             • primary doc (original)
               • secondary doc (ref to original)
               • treaties
                 • official reports
                   • policy statements
                     • legislation
                       • media reports
                         • distinction: international media sources & newspapers
                           • newspapers: might be ideologically biased
               • detailed insight into organization
                 • however, no unlimited (full & complete) access
                   • concealing of day to day practices & dec. making process
                     • no answer to HOW decisions came about
                       • question rightness of info by consulting local experts
         • NOT peer-reviewed
           • content generated by everyone
             • powerful blog entries, social network sites
               • on the ground, in the country
                 • e- government
                   • press-interview transcripts
                     • official docs
                       • legislation
             • difficulty: factual/ OR individual opinion
       • form of group interview
         • 6-10 part., 8-52 groups
           • how ppl perceive info in context of social interaction
             • choice
               • less intervention
                 • aim: objective, empiricist research
               • more intervention
                 • aim: interpretative, qualitative research
     • gain factual data - phenomenon
       • gain perspective of interview participant
         • to learn more about their behavior
       • #1 structured interview
         • to produce quantitative research data
           • participant 'select' responses
             • pre-written interview Q and categories of responses
               • the script must be followed
                 • ANY deviation distorts findings
                   • due to structured appr. = missing out on essential insights
         • #2 semi structured interview (* most common) = structure + openness
           • target elites
             • to explain behavior of Intl Org, MNC, NGO
             • to explain foreign policy of states/political event
             • = position of influence
             • cross-referencing (Vglbarkeit)
               • script can be extended by researcher's add. Q
                 • #3 unstructured interviews
                   • :) unfiltered perspectives of intv. participant
                     • broad-open ended questions
                       • complex, unstructured responses
                         • must be recorded/no note taking
                           • researcher: no leading function
                   • COL armed conflict: security daily life 50y.a./now

5. Data Analysis

   • Content analysis = hybrid
     • discourse analysis
       • =interpretation of linguistic forms of communication
         • official + unofficial discourse
           • language constructs the world = plays a "performative role"
             • => identities formed through intersubjective understanding
               • = to understand WHY and HOW particular discourse EMERGES, BECAME DOMINANT, IS USED BY OTHERS
                 • speeches. documents. declarations
                   • #1 selection criteria
           • what do we expect to find in them?
           • =on behalf of Organizat/state
           • issue = representativeness
         • Discourse = NO categorization
           • = to understand WHY and HOW actors resorted to specific discourse
             • Q: Who is identified as {...}
               • Q: How does the discourse legitimizde/delegitimize certain course of action?
                 • Q: How does discourse make possible certain policy choices?
                   • Q: In which ways does this discourse limit and enable choices/behavior?
                   • = relationship btw discourse and cognitive psychology
                     • = relationship btw discourse and power -> how it empowers and disempowers certain groups (Focault)
                       • = relationship discourse and the context
                         • the negotiation of agency, responsibility and blame
                           • the role of hegemonic discourses in shaping the others’ problems and the solutions to them
                             • the effects of discourses in shaping experiences and views in postcolonial society
                               • how inferiority is constructed in public texts, including policy, media and cultural texts
                 • What is hidden?
     • textual data/photos/TV prog/art into numbers
       • #2 categorization
         • coding
           • finding synonyms representing the concept
             • armed conflict = #violence #fear #post-trauma #accountability
             • counting of he/she (gender)
               • counting we/they (categories)
               • aim: identifying specific trends/patterns
                 • in communication
         • deductive
           • creation of categories in advance
             • C1 FARC. C2 GOVT C3 COL C4 NGO
               • aim: to discern correlations via statistics
           • inductive
             • identification of categories while reading
               • aim: to use data descriptively
       • EXP: media coverage of an issue
       • #1. selection criteria
         • (inter)national coverage
           • language
             • timeframe