Qualitative Methods
PBAF 599/SOC 590
Fall 2006
Guidelines for Methodological Reflection
Due December 15 at noon
For those of you who are spending 50% or more of your effort using the Olympia site,
then you will not be writing a proposal, but a reflection. This should be viewed as a take-
home, final exam. This should be double-spaced, 12 pt font, one inch margins. Include a
title, your name, and the date on the first page.
I am expecting you to have had at least four field moments (interviews, participant
observation, oral histories, focus group). You will write up as close to detailed notes as
possible from these field moments. Then you will step back from these field notes, to
write this paper.
The paper will have three components.
1. Paying special attention to the contextual observations in your field notes consider
how these resonant with at least five of the readings we covered throughout the
quarter. (5 pages)
2. Then consider the content of the interviews to suggest interpretations, themes, and
initial analyses. Doing so, you should rely on the material in Lofland et al., in
particular, and cite similar approaches to interpretation from at least 2 or 3 other
readings (whether they were “how to” write-ups or real examples of qualitative
research). (5 pages)
3. Then reflect more generally upon qualitative methods. What have you learned?
How did you best learn it? How did the field work experience lend insights on the
methodological approach? (2 pages)
Use the citation guidelines provided.
Attach your field notes as an appendix.
