# data[].attributes.headline
Introduction - Define, show range of methods etc.. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Introduction - Define, show range of methods etc.. 

# data[].attributes.body
Use item to show fully what question asks... In the item McLean used qualitative research methods including participant observation as part of his ethnographic research. He immersed himself in the life of the healing centre to truly understand the work of crystal and spiritual healers...

# data[].attributes.body
Explain overall strengths - range and use terms....
Aims to gather insight, understanding and context of issues related to the social world. Understand the meaning of what they are investigating to uncover the unpredictable. Linked to methods that are less structured. Allows the researchers to be led by what they are investigating so they can probe into issues and gain further understanding.

Use 2 studies to show 2 points per study

# data[].attributes.body
Explain overall weaknesses - range and use terms
Use 2 studies to show at least 2 points per study

# data[].attributes.headline
qualitative data is data that focuses on words, meanings and social situations. Qualitative data is often linked with the interpretivist methodology, and examples of qualitative methods would be unstructured interviews, focus groups and participant observation. Also personal accounts using personal documents like diaries, including case studies.

# data[].attributes.subject
qualitative data is data that focuses on words, meanings and social situations. Qualitative data is often linked with the interpretivist methodology, and examples of qualitative methods would be unstructured interviews, focus groups and participant observation. Also personal accounts using personal documents like diaries, including case studies.

# data[].attributes.body
The main purposes of using qualitative data is that you can observe and measure human interactions and get further information than quantitive data would. This is because you can ask open questions and ask the partipants to elaborate on their answers, such as unstructured interviews, participant observation and focus groups. Additionally, the lack of structure lets the researcher cover the unpredictable and allows them to be taken on a journey led by the respondent.

# data[].attributes.headline
Some of the weaknesses of qualitative data is that it can't be measured, we can't compare it and often it is hard to generalise the data that you collect. Also, you will collect a lot of data with lots of detail, so it's difficult to edit and there is likely to be imposition in editing.

# data[].attributes.subject
Some of the weaknesses of qualitative data is that it can't be measured, we can't compare it and often it is hard to generalise the data that you collect. Also, you will collect a lot of data with lots of detail, so it's difficult to edit and there is likely to be imposition in editing.

# data[].attributes.body
Strengths of focus groups

Its looking at the lad’s identity and their experiences and what lead them into w/c jobs .. from the lads perspective.  The lads set the agenda, the points they see as important are what shapes the group discussions.

They can chat in a relaxed non-judgmental group with like minded people allowing the boys to express their feelings and this helps Willis understand why they behave in the way he observed and how their acceptance by the wider group is important …

# data[].attributes.body
Weaknesses-Focus groups

Group effect and the lads may give socially desirable answers so lowering validity.  It would be hard to say they valued school for Willis if the wider lads would ridicule you for that!

The group discussion is unstructured so it is hard to control – LESS RELIABLE.  The skill of the researcher is crucial to keep it on focus and we may not find out valuable points as they simply just don’t come up.

In the end there will be lots of data – transcripts will be edited – that reduces validity as the full ideas of the boys views are limited by what Willis decides are the important points = imposition

The findings from the focus group can’t be applied to wider groups as the small sample is unrepresentative e.g. seeing the lads as typical of w/c boys and generalising about masculine identity, is not appropriate.

They also can’t be repeated as they didn’t have a set structure.  Therefore they are unreliable and we are unable to see if the views the boys expressed are views that other boys may have from similar backgrounds (this is also the case in ‘young masculinities)

# data[].attributes.body
Valid

Natural setting

Rich in detail

Bouncing ideas off each other

First hand

# data[].attributes.body
Time consuming

Hawthorne effect

Inconsistent

Obtrusive researcher

Imposition in editing

Imposition by researcher

Two way conversation

# data[].attributes.body
Strength:
Her usage of participant observation allowed her to ask questions that no member would have presumed to ask their leaders or peers, giving more of an insight to the thoughts behind the Moonies. This enhances Barker's validity by providing a truer reflection into the movement. Compare to item e.g. McLeans use of overt POB...

# data[].attributes.body
Strength - As a known outsider, Barker gained the trust of the moonies who felt comfortable talking to her as she would neither judge nor 'spill the beans' to leaders or other members. As a result of this she became the recipient of classified information with lots of detail that wouldn't have been available to a member. This increased the validity of her research and results.

# data[].attributes.headline
Barker the making of a Moonie-weaknesses

# data[].attributes.subject
Barker the making of a Moonie-weaknesses

# data[].attributes.body
Weakness:
Despite this, because the Moonies knew that Barker was an outsider and there only for research motives, the Moonies may have been influenced by her presence. This possible influence could be a detriment to Barker's validity as Moonies may have chosen to conceal the truth as at the time, people outside were sceptical of the movement. Compare to item McLeans involvement in healing centre....

# data[].attributes.body
•Use of participant observation enabled her to gain trust  and led to a deeper understanding of the Moonies and therefore gaining information which would not have been given to an outsider.

•So could gain detailed and empathic insight into the closed world of the cult, gaining enhancing the validity of her data

•By studying the group overtly, she was able to ethically research their world but also ask questions that if she was undercover, would have lead to suspicion.