This session is to introduce the use of interviews and observational approaches ranging from unstructured to structured approaches, participant to non-participant observation. Different types of interviews will be compared, and particular attention will be given to semi-structured interviews. Issues such as the advantages and limitations of observation will be discussed through the presentation of a number of research studies which have used observation. Students will be asked to practice practical interview and observational skills in case studies.

Key Questions:

How to conduct individual and group interviews?

1. Why interviews?
2. What kind of interviews do we need in our research, structured, semi-structured, unstructured?
3. What to ask in interviews? How to ask the questions in interviews?

What to look for in observations?

1. Why observations?
2. What is the role of an observer?
3. How to record observations?

Observation 2013.pptx

Readings:

Bryman, A (2008), Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, Third Edition.

Bryman, A (2008), Social Research Methods, Oxford University Press, Third Edition. Data Collection - Purple.pdf

Robson, C (2011). Real World Research. Wiley-Blackwell, Third Edition. Interview - real world research.pdf and Observational Methods - real world research.pdf

Kvale, S. (1996). InterViews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing (pp. xvii, 326 p). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

DeWalt, K. and DeWalt, B (2002) Participant Observation: A guide for fieldworkers Walnut Creek: AltaMira Press

Walker, R and Adelman, C (1975) A Guide to Classroom Observation London, Methuen

Walker, R. and Adelman, C. (1975) Interaction analysis in informal classrooms: a critical comment on the Flanders' system British Journal of Educational Psychology 45, 73-76. Reprinted in Martyn Hammersley (ed.) Controversies in Classroom Research Milton Keynes, Open University Press

Stake, R.E. (1995) The Art of Case Study Research. London: Sage

Yin, R.K.(1994) Case Study Research. London: Sage

Please click on here to reflect on what you have learned from this session.

Articles

Janet Moyles & Liu Hua (1998): Kindergarten Education in China: reflections on a qualitative comparison of management processes and perceptions, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 28:2, 155-169

Ma Yun-peng, Lam Chi-chung & Wong Ngai-ying (2006): Chinese primary school mathematics teachers working in a centralised curriculum system: a case study of two primary schools in North-East China, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 36:2, 197-212

Geoffrey Walford (2001): Site Selection within Comparative Case Study and Ethnographic Research, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 31:2, 151-164

Scherto Gill (2010): The homecoming: an investigation into the effect that studying overseas had on Chinese postgraduates' life and work on their return to China, Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 40:3, 359-376