🚀 go-pugleaf

>My dissertation is an ethnographic study on middle school students' (ages
>12-13) classroom Internet use. One of my committee members requested that I
>paraphrase & shorten several data excerpts included in my results chapter.
>Most of the sections in question are drawn from individual and group
>interviews with students. The excerpts range in length from one-quarter to
>one-half page, single spaced, 12 pt. font.


This paraphrasing goes against my understanding of the process of
conducting qualitative research. Producing the elusive thick description of
a setting, I think is a goal. I find it hard to understand why a researcher
would deliberately alter, reduce, inject bias into data..... seems loco to
me to change the real stuff



>I am reluctant to replace sections of these data samples with paraphrasing,
>for fear of losing the students' voices in the report. The direct quotes are
>also important to illustrate one of the key findings, which is that
>participants make no distinction in how they describe their online and
>offline activities & relationships. My understanding of ethnographic
>reporting is that it may contain longer quotes from data than other types of
>research writing. Am I correct in thinking this? Also, does anyone have any
>suggestions on how to respond to the committee member's suggestion?
>
>I have been quietly "listening" to the listserv as I write & greatly
>appreciate the ongoing conversations. Thank you very much.
>
>
>
>
>Attachment converted: Bruce's HD:Anne Hird.vcf (TEXT/ttxt) (00005BFE)







Bruce E. Ahlborn Ed.D.
Northbrook School District 28
5-8 Technology Coordinator
ahlborn@www.district28.k12.il.us
"Wherever you go,,,there you are".

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