QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIAL RESEARCH

The research journal is where you will record your thoughts, reactions, questions, and hunches about your research project. Besides aiding you in keeping track of the qualitative research process, the journal makes explicit and real your doubts, frustrations, biases, questions, and joys. In many respects it will map your growth as a qualitative researcher. The journal contributes to the reliability, validity, and integrity of your inquiry.

Entries in your journal might include:

* Experiential notes: How does the research relates to your own life and experiences? How prior perspectives/opinions/beliefs have been changed or reinforced? What personal biases are influencing your observations? What are you feeling as you conduct your project?

* Contextual notes: Your initial descriptions of the research site, setting, or context. Through time your notes should elaborate on these initial impressions.

* Research/methodological notes: Here, your entries include the process of developing/focusing the research question and problems encountered with fieldwork, methods, and analysis.

Journals will be discussed in class with appropriate confidentiality safeguards.