mu fieldwork 23 03 10

Field work with people:Methods conference

23rd March 2010

Mary UptonDevelopment Policy and Practice

mary.upton@open.ac.uk

Session plan

• Plan outline

• Student research plans and concerns

• Preparations for field work and the field work process

• Final comments and questions

Aims and objectivesTo provide• An overview of the key issues involved

• Time to raise concerns and exchange experiences

To help researchers to• Find ways to think about and plan their own field work

• Gain the confidence to do their work in an ethical and enjoyable way

Why field work with people?

Can you do this research any other way?• The research questions - seeking answers through

approach and method

‘Doing it right’ - ethical procedures and the ongoing process

• The OU Participants and Materials Ethics Committee• Chair John Oates:

http://intranet.open.ac.uk/strategy-unit/offices/ethics/human.shtml

• Local ethics committees

Methodological approaches and methods

The approach - ways of constructing the story• Quantitative/qualitative or both; objective facts/social

construction of reality; deductive/inductive or both? • Rationale: why this choice?

Methods - the rationale for data collection • Decisions: feasibility? • Innovations and ‘brownie points’ • Transparency and clarity

The role of ethics

Ethics and procedures• Key issues: consent, confidentiality, anonymity and

protection of respondents and researchers from harm • Seeking ethical approval: the OU and beyond• Respect: being hosted; busy people and the research

burden; appropriate dress and behaviour• Questions of power and control • Respondents’ expectations and ‘giving back’: promises

and feedback

Who are you engaging in your research?

Study populations and sampling• Statistical or purposive?• What are the human, social, organisational, geographical

boundaries?• What kind of relationship do you want/need with them and

how will you establish it?• Fit the sample size appropriate to method• Justify comparisons or groups• Clarify key characteristics: age, gender, ethnicity …

Contact and access issues - timing

Building relationships • Letters of introduction, emails and phone calls

Maintaining relationships• Ongoing contact: emails, phone calls and texts?• Post-field work contact?• Gatekeepers and respondents: taking time; building trust;

negotiating access

The procedures

Pilot studies and research periods • Trials and revisions• Timing and periods of reflection

Practical issues• Before you go: visas/permits; risk assessments;

insurance; vaccines; budgets; local institutions; business cards; contacts

• Take: maps; insurance certificate; document copies; passport photos; ethical clearance

Data collection and storage

Collecting and recording • Audio, video, maps, drawings, diagrams, photographs,

other - feasibility?• Departmental equipment loans• Notes and diaries

Storage • Multiple copies - memory sticks and hard copies• Sending home - OU storage systems

Unexpected events• Holidays and absences: timing data collection; doing

other things• Non-responses in the field: new directions? • Political events: as data?• Missed appointments and latecomers: more data?• Equipment and power failure: back-up!• Being over-awed and questions of domination• Your position in the research: objectivity/subjectivity –

balance of professionalism and human response

Coming homeData analysis • Don’t panic!• Looking at processes, trends, relationships, patterns,

commonalities and differences • Software: data storage and paper trails• Discarding data, or laying aside for papers/new research• Standing back and re-engaging

Thesis writing• Rationale for approach and methods; describe, explain;

justify innovations; specifics and generalisations?

And finally …

• With hindsight: internet connections

• Be Confident: finding your own style and rhythm

• Take time out: standing back and relaxing

• Enjoy the experience: fun and/or life changing?

Thank you