Naturalistic Inquiry"Showing how science is limited by its dominant mode of investigation, Lincoln and Guba propose an alternative paradigm--a "naturalistic" rather than "rationalistic" method of inquiry--in which the investigator avoids manipulating research outcomes. A "paradigm shift" is under way in many fields, they contend, and go on to describe the different assumptions of the two approaches regarding the nature of reality, subject-object interaction, the possibility of generalization, the concept of causality, and the role of values. The authors also offer guidance for research in the field (where, they say, naturalistic inquiry always takes place). Useful tips are given, for example, on "designing" a study as it unfolds, establishing "trustworthiness," and writing a case report. This book helps researchers "both to understand and to do naturalistic inquiry." Of particular interest to educational researchers, it is valuable for all social scientists involved with questions of qualitative and quantitative methodology."--Publisher's description. |
Contents
Preface | 7 |
Acknowledgments | 13 |
Constructed Realities | 70 |
The Disturbing and Disturbed Observer | 92 |
The Only Generalization | 110 |
Is Causality a Viable Concept? | 129 |
Is Being ValueFree Valuable? | 160 |
Doing What Comes Naturally | 187 |
Implementing the Naturalistic Inquiry | 250 |
Establishing Trustworthiness | 289 |
Processing Naturalistically | 332 |
Case Reporting Member Checking | 357 |
Audit Trail Categories File Types | 382 |
| 393 | |
| 409 | |
About the Authors | 415 |
Common terms and phrases
analytic induction asserts assessment assumptions audit trail auditor axioms basic beliefs behavior believe cards causality cause Chapter characteristics concept constructions context conventional inquiry credibility criteria data analysis debriefing defined depends described Descriptor design statement determine effect elements evaluand evaluation example experience external fact field final findings focus formulation grounded theory Guba Heterarchy human instrument hypotheses identify idiographic inductive inquiry team interaction internal validity interpretations interview investigator judgment logical means member check methodological methods morphogenesis multiple mutual shaping naive realism naturalistic inquiry naturalistic paradigm naturalistic study nature nomothetic notes objectivity observation persons perspective phase phenomena positivism positivist possible postpositivism postpositivist problem purpose qualitative question reader reality records relationship respondents sampling Schwartz and Ogilvy social suggests systems and organisms tacit knowledge task team members techniques thick description tion triangulation trustworthiness values