1. Researching the city
Research methods of cultural studies
Sum e s ho l
mr c o
Popular culture & the city
2. Teaser
⢠Interest in culture, i.e. processes of
meaning making
⢠But this culture is not necessarily our own
(in terms of class, ethnicity, age, gender,
sexuality etc).
⢠And we are aware of our and their
particular position in the socio-political
landscape
3. Outline
⢠Qualitative research methods
⢠The nature ofâŚ
⢠Doing participant observation
⢠Other forms of qualitative research
2. Doing cultural studies (discussion)
⢠Distaste for rules
⢠Interdisciplinary nature
3. A bit about meâŚ
4. Linda Duits
Assistant Professor
Qualitative methods of communication research
Youth, religion and popular culture
⢠Headscarves and porno-chic
⢠Young evangelicals
Ethnographic approach
⢠Critical, respectful,
âwholeâ culture
5. Lecture
⢠Qualitative research methods
⢠The nature ofâŚ
⢠Doing participant observation
⢠Other forms
⢠What do you want to research?
⢠Why would you want to do this?
⢠How can you do this?
6. doing research What?
1. What am I interested in?
2. Choose a topic that has wider
implications
3. Define a theoretical context
4. Be practical
7. doing research Why?
⢠Because you have to (i.e. contractor)
⢠For political reasons ď cultural studies
⢠Societal relevance
⢠Scientific relevance
8. doing research How?
⢠Processes of making meaning
⢠Interest in
â people, Qualitative
â culture research
â understanding (verstehen) methods
10. doing qualitative research What?
⢠Qualitative research =
⢠An inductive research strategy, that emphasizes the social
construction of phenomena that can only be known
through interpretation.
⢠Quantitative research =
⢠A deductive research strategy, that emphasizes
quantifying phenomena in an objective reality.
11. doing qualitative research Why?
⢠Induction
= theory derives from research
⢠Construction (ontology)
= social properties are outcomes of interactions
⢠Interpretation (epistemology)
= how people make sense of their social world
12. doing qualitative research How?
⢠Seeing through the eyes of those you
study
⢠Description of and emphasis on context
⢠Emphasis on process
⢠Flexibility and limited structure
⢠Concepts and theory they are grounded in
data
ď Using qualitative research methods
13. doing participant observation What?
⢠Method of data collection where the
researcher immerses him/herself for a
prolonged period of time in a social
setting
⢠It implies
â Participation
⢠Get active
⢠Talk
â Observation
⢠Look
⢠Listen
14. doing participant observation Why?
⢠Emphasis on data derived in context
⢠Analysis of what people do and of what
people say (triangulation)
⢠Relevant for those interested in culture
(i.e. groups, group processes etc instead
of individuals â compare psychology and
sociology)
15. doing participant observation How?
⢠Participation only = not research
⢠Observation only = does not fit with quali
⢠Roles change
â Participant-as-observer
â Observer-as-participant
â Overt/covert
16. doing participant observation How?
Topic list
⢠Research always start with a RQ
⢠Research question
ď areas of interest
ď subquestions
What do you want to know?
What will you look/listen/ask for?
18. Other forms of qualitative research What?
⢠Interviews
⢠Focus groups
⢠Existing documents
⢠Creative visual methods
â Photovoice
Not discussed
⢠Doing qualitative analysis
19. Doing cultural studies Complexities
⢠Interdisciplinary nature
⢠Distaste for rules
⢠Researching (and thus representing) the Other
⢠Position of privileged researcher vis-à -vis
marginalized informant
Discuss this idea
Problematic yes or no?
Why (not)?
Any solutions or advice?
20. Conclusion
You now know:
⢠What qualitative research entails (globally)
⢠When to chose participant observation
You are now able to:
⢠Start your (first) participant observation
⢠Discuss the peculiarities of doing cultural
studies research
21. More resources
⢠Recommended reading
Practical, clear instructions
Davis, A. (2008). Investigating cultural producers.
Meyer, A. (2008). Investigating cultural consumers.
⢠Website Bryman book
http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199202959/
See you soon!