I'd agree that the key element is change over time, Nick, but I seriously do
wonder whether we should restrict the use of the term to its very sharp and
specific meaning, as you and Harald reported. Has qualitative research just
blunted a perfectly good methodological term? Perhaps, Alan, you and I
shouldn't use it if we just mean over time - we don't add any methodological
info by doing so. I think it matters if we don't have a relevant term for
studies over time, or even a very good methodology for handling them - I am
increasingly convinced that qualitative research requires study of process,
and once-off data like single interviews are very challenging to analyse
qualitatively for this reason. Is anyone writing a book on "Longitudinal
Qualitative Research"?
btw while the dictionary defn is just "of or pertaining to length" - (how
did it get into methodology as time, I wonder?), the Shorter Oxford adds
"Produced in the direction of the vibrating body" which sounds a bit more
like fieldwork studies I have known!)
I'll look forward to the wisdom that morning brings when I log on...
Lyn
Lyn Richards,
Director, Research Services, QSR.
(email) [log in to unmask]
(Ph) +61 3 9459 1699 (Fax) +61 3 9459 0435
(snail) Box 171, La Trobe University PO, Vic 3083, Australia.
http://www.qsrinternational.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Nicholas JS Gibson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, 9 April 2001 11:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Longitudinal studies
Here's a couple general definitions to throw into the mix:
Hilgard's introduction to psychology 12th ed.
"A research method that studies an individual through time, taking
measurements at periodic intervals."
Penguin dictionary of psychology 2nd ed.
"Research carried out by following a number of subjects over an extended
period of time (c.f. cross-sectional method)."
Maybe my use of the word variable in my last email reflects that I'm more
used to doing quantitative work than qualitative. Further, the above
definitions are also probably somewhat limited, given that the system of
interest may not be an individual but rather a community or some other
thing altogether (an environmental system, say).
So I guess the key element is that of looking for change over time, as
Harald said.
Nick
--
Research Assistant
Psychology and Christianity Project
Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge
West Road, Cambridge, CB3 9BS, UK
mailto:[log in to unmask]
phone/fax: +44 1223 763010/763003
Today 2:29pm, Alan Simpson wrote:
> I'm really glad that Lyn wrote in response to this and also that others
> raised and discussed the issue. Before Lyn wrote I was thinking 'oh dear.
I
> had better not call my study longitudinal anymore'. I have being
conducting
> a research project using predominantly qualitative methods where I
re-visit
> people and teams over a 15 month period of time, or more. However, there
are
> no 'fixed' variables, other than the individuals and teams (and they're
are
> not very fixed at all!). So, I will be very interested in any future noise
> on this one.
>
> bets wishes,
>
> Alan Simpson
> Brighton, UK.
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