How Things Work - Doha Academy of Tertiary Studies

Stating the Problem 83
get this—some of the boxes (through iteration; Chapter 11) are likely to
become chapter headings and topical sections in the final report.
Next, I actually label a number of green file boxes—mine are 4″ ×
9″ × 12″—and start collecting definitions, explanations, transcripts, diagrams,
and other things. When they are dialogues or stories that I think
I might actually include in the final report, I mark them in a special way
(sometimes needing to put copies in more than one box because I don’t
yet know where I will use them). I call these special dialogues or stories
“patches,” and I later claim that putting the patches together is an alternative
strategy for writing the final report.
Next, Marie needs to think about data gathering. What methods
have I already used? Which methods will I use most? I like to make a
graphic sketch emphasizing my research methods this time. I often use a
spatial graphic, such as the one shown in Figure 4.4. The hexagon in the
middle represents the study. It represents what the researcher is going to
do. Here we have indicated four data- gathering activities: observation
of activities, interview, document analysis, and the brief study of minicases.
There could be others.
The circles around the outside represent the conceptual territory
inside which the researcher will be working. The larger circles identify
the research question (and research related to it), the contexts, and the
main information needed. The smaller circles represent the phenomena
important to the study and some larger issues. By sketching out this
information, the researcher makes a graphic plan for carrying out the
research.
Marie chose to do a case study of a professional development workshop.
For her graphic plan, the case is such a dominant idea (Stake,
1995) that we will change the graphic to represent the case with a heavylined
circle, as in Figure 4.5. We will put the study activity within that
circle. So we do it not exactly like Figure 4.4. Of course, you adapt it,
too. Inside the circle design are spaces to guide Marie’s data gathering.
Three sectors have been marked for observations in three places. There
could be more or fewer, of course. Then one middle-sized circle indicates
a minicase that might help the reader understand the workshop. 2
2 A minicase (sometimes called an embedded case) is a case within the case; here it
might be a workshop participant who illustrates a special problem or opportunity.
Perhaps 5% of the final report might go to the description and interpretation of this
minicase.