Summary and Reflection
(Learning Log #4)
It is that time again! I will summarize and reflect on current readings from Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design (chapter 10), It’s all about Jesus!: Faith as an oppositional collegiate subculture (chapters 4-7), and Writing up qualitative research (chapters 3-6). Chapter 10 in Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design addressed the concern about the quality of qualitative research. How does one know if qualitative research study is quality? This chapter discusses the various methods researchers use to validate qualitative studies. How does one know if the information collected is reliable? The technique a researcher uses to verify reliability of data can be dependent on one’s perspective ranging from postmodern to interpretive thought. Overall, this chapter covers strategies and methods for reliability, validity and quality regarding the five approaches to qualitative research.
While reading this chapter, there were a few things that stood out to me. I did paid close attention to the quality, validity and quality of Narrative research since this is the approach I am utilizing for my study. On pages 213-214, I found that I agreed with Denzin, who advanced guidelines for interpretive research, favoring meaning and interpretation over the preoccupation of method, validation, reliability, generalizability and theoretical relevance. Perhaps I concur with Denzin’s idea of favoring meaning and interpretation when this seems to be an easier task for me at this point in the research process.
From a Critical perspective, I resonated with Angen statement that “our research should raise new possibilities, open new questions, and stimulate new dialogue. …our research must have a transformative value leading to action and change.” I agree with Angen and have hopes that my future research will be a “call to action” for many of the readers. Lastly, I was inspired by Lather’s suggestion that one’s research would move a reader from “judgment to understanding.” This is a beautiful and perhaps an idealist approach to research but one I will strive for. The goal is that I develop research that matters and makes a difference!
In chapter 4 – 7 of It’s all about Jesus!: Faith as an oppositional collegiate subculture the authors focus on the various rituals of SSC members. Chapter 4 goes into some depth about a few individual members to provide some contexts for the importance of their rituals as Evangelical Christians.
The phrase “we’re not weird…” struck me as odd in chapter 5. The authors’ word choice- “weird” could be perceived as offensive yet they continuously used it to discuss the theme of this chapter. Although some of the SSC members actually used the phrase…”were not weird” it seems somewhat disrespectful.
I understand a researcher often times should take the participant’s lead but I have my doubts if this was the most appropriate theme for this chapter. I really think there could have been a more appropriate word choice.
Chapter 6 identifies the rituals that set the SSC organization apart from other Christian organizations on campus. Christians are often time already a marginalized group on a public campus but the SSC org tends to pride themselves in being even more marginalized within their own Christian community. This marginalization is one that the SSC organization seem to wear as a badge of honor. They set themselves apart as serious and devoted Christians. On page 105, Caleb commented, “Legitimate Christians on campus are clearly the minority.” This pissed me off when I read it. Caleb’s statement come across as a very self-righteous and elitess way of viewing their brand of Christianity and demonstrated to me why they display their extreme marginalization as a brand of honor.
In chapter 7 the authors focus on the rituals of SSC members during bible study groups. What I found most interesting in this chapter was the researcher’s ability to intermittingly interject his behaviors and reflections into the writings with smooth transitions. This is a technique I want to experiment with in my own writing.
To be honest, I was in a mentally frustrated place when reading chapters 3-6 in Writing Up Qualitative Research. This frustration limited what I was able to glean as far as writing techniques. What I did get from these chapters were glimpses of encouragement and laughs with some of the authors ideas. I have some of my favorites listed below:
* Writing is a labor of love.
* Don’t get distracted about the length too early.
* Regardless of whether you are underwriting or overwriting, you are writing.
* Editing obviously can become an escape from writing.
* If you can’t write well, write shittily. You have to have something written before you can begin to improve it. (My favorite one!)
