Open AccessEnhancing the Value of Qualitative Field Notes Through Purposeful Reflection
Author(s) -
David Deggs,
Frank Hernández
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3569
Subject(s) - reflexivity , qualitative research , reflection (computer programming) , value (mathematics) , data collection , field (mathematics) , qualitative property , sociology , pedagogy , psychology , mathematics education , computer science , social science , mathematics , machine learning , pure mathematics , programming language
This commentary outlines the efforts taken to provide doctoral students with purposeful reflection questions to help them enhance the value and utility of qualitative data. It is based upon experiences teaching a doctoral level qualitative research methods course for students enrolled in an executive format doctoral program. Reflexivity of the researcher, reflection, and research design decisions are discussed. Suggestions for purposeful reflection questions are also discussed and listed in four categories. The categories of purposeful reflection questions include (1) Research Setting Access, (2) Examining Norms and Cultures, (3) Positionality of Research Subjects, and (4) Positionality as an Observer. These four categories of questions provide a paradigm that could help many qualitative researchers take a more systematic in-depth approach to the collection, transcription, and analysis of field notes and other forms of qualitative data.