Memoing as a Tool for Reflexive Analysis
Location
1048
Format Type
Event
Start Date
January 2018
End Date
January 2018
Abstract
Qualitative researchers often consider the way their personal characteristics and actions affect data collection by asking reflexive questions like: “How will my participants respond to me if I present myself as an insider or outsider when I’m in the field?” But who we are as researchers also impacts how we analyze our data and report our findings. In this presentation, I will discuss how I use analytic memos to clarify my personal reactions to my participants and the data throughout data collection, coding, interpretation, and reporting. By clearly articulating my gut reactions, questions, points of confusion, and opinions, I am able to identify potential biases and address them in a systematic way. This process also creates an audit trail that tracks my analytic process and improves my objectivity. This presentation will also include practical tips on how to best write and organize memos in MAXQDA to facilitate the process and improve efficiency.
Memoing as a Tool for Reflexive Analysis
1048
Qualitative researchers often consider the way their personal characteristics and actions affect data collection by asking reflexive questions like: “How will my participants respond to me if I present myself as an insider or outsider when I’m in the field?” But who we are as researchers also impacts how we analyze our data and report our findings. In this presentation, I will discuss how I use analytic memos to clarify my personal reactions to my participants and the data throughout data collection, coding, interpretation, and reporting. By clearly articulating my gut reactions, questions, points of confusion, and opinions, I am able to identify potential biases and address them in a systematic way. This process also creates an audit trail that tracks my analytic process and improves my objectivity. This presentation will also include practical tips on how to best write and organize memos in MAXQDA to facilitate the process and improve efficiency.
Comments
Breakout Session A