Date: Tue, 10 Nov 1998 14:11:41 +1100
Subject: RE: The Barry article
From: Douglas Ezzy <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Reply-to: [log in to unmask]
Douglas Ezzy wrote:
There's a wonderful article , the author of which I forget, titled "how the
refrigerator got its hum". The argument is, basically, that the humming
refrigerator eliminated its non-humming competition because it gained
greater market share through various aggressive advertising campaigns and
early entry into the market. We use VHS video rather than Beta for the
same reason - it is an inferior technology, but everyone else is using it.
I can't help feeling that there are all sorts of political and
marketing process operating in a similar way that influence our
choice of computing package, and hence, that influence the way that
qualitative research is being done. I'm not wanting to suggest that
the leading packages are inferior, simply that they might not be
chosen, for being conducive to particular research designs or general
theoretical paradigms, but for reasons associated with availability
and the like. But then, what's new? Such is life!
I think this is a very interesting point. In my own experience one
important factor in making a choice about 'which package?' in the
context of a team project was the (perceived) existence of (i) a
community of users and (ii) training (I did not relish the prospect of
being cast as resident CAQDAS 'expert'). Clearly this was not the
only consideration - theoretical approach, project type, 'way my brain
works' and user-friendliness also entered the equation - but the
higher profile of some packages certainly influenced the range from
which we made out final selection.
Davina
Dr Davina Allen
Centre for Nursing Research
School of Nursing Studies
UWCM
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF4 4XN
Email:[log in to unmask]
tel: 01222-743837
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