This research is based at a semi-urban setting of Nepal. Most of the population is busy throughout the year in agricultural production. However, the technology is seldom used except some equipments in the field. The cost of production, if compared, is higher than that of the produce. Field observation reflects that the change in season pattern, flowering and ripening pattern, crop growth, production and harvesting timing have changed.
I would like to apply qualitative research methodology in this study. So, I would be grateful to have insights from researchers working or having knowledge/experience in this field.
Thanks.
Saludos cordiales su enfoque es correcto dado que segun interpreto se indaga sobre las particularidades de una agrupacion humana lo veo como un estudio etnografico, lo cual permitira develar como se dan los mecanismos de adaptacion que desarrolla el colectivo, con la tecnica de la observacion participante para recolectar mediante la observacion y entrevistas los datos cualitativos.
There are generally two ways of collecting qualitative data: field observations and open-ended interviews. Note that these two are not mutually exclusive, since most studies that involve fieldwork also include interviews (although, alternatively, it is quite possible to do interview studies without any field observations). It sounds as if prior fieldwork has already established some patterns that you would like to explore in more depth and detail, so an interview study might well meet your needs. My personal recommendation for a book on qualitative interviewing is Rubin & Rubin, Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data.
You already have explored some areas of changes in their agricultural practices. Another potential area of exploration could be their "choice" of off-farm activities because of excessive expenses in comparison to the economic value of the produce. Professor Morgan has rightly mentioned about two crucial aspects of qualitative researches. In addition , a recently published book , Peasant Studies in Nepal , could be of helpful to you both for the content and methodology.
Hi Vijay Aryal, Your research is quite similar to mine. In my research, I am applying case study approach, which offers a wide range of data collection methods during my fieldwork.
But, to begin with, you might want to see this discussion to find the most appropriate methodology and approach you want to use in your project: https://www.researchgate.net/post/Appropriate_method_to_analyze_qualitative_data_interview#view=5b611d07a5a2e2be0d4d1969
Then, if you still want to do qualitative methodology, you might consider among different qualitative approaches, namely, case study, narrative studies, phenomenology, ethnography, or grounded theory.
When you have a clear idea in mind which approach you want to use, then consider how to collect your data. Each approach is associated with, albeit not limited to, a several data collection methods. My advice is to do case study approach, which is not too long as ethnography, and you can combine many techniques for data collection:
- Documentary analysis: collect relevant documents such as reports, policies documents, legal documents.
- Archival records: financial data, household's notebook of financial management, community's statistics, etc.
- Interview: from unstructured to semi-structured interview. I suggest that you use a combination of semi-structured interview with a guideline prepared beforehand and unstructured, informal interview, which might fit better with family who are super busy and does not have much time for a long interview. Furthermore, you might want to use repetitive interviews, which allow you to come back to your interviewee to ask more questions.
- Group discussion/interview: you might want to do focus group interview if they are only able to gather for a short time. You can interview them all.
- Observation: whether non-participant observation or participant observation.
The first two methods are good for gaining an overview of situation.
In addition, you might consider taking PRA (participatory rural appraisal) such as community maps, transect walk, season calendar, village meeting with priory ranking or venn diagram, etc.
For me, to pursue a policy/action-based research, you might consider using PRA tools, for an academic research, you might want to do basic methods as they help assure generating a lot of data. PRA might take time to gather people.
Hope it helps. Best,
I think there is no problem of using qualitative research methodology in your research. But it will be better if you also do FGDs and Key Informants Interviews to get better ideas about the changing livelihood activities. How they are increasingly adopting off-farm activities to cope with the situation.
Best wishes.
Hi Vijay,
Maybe this link will be useful: https://books.google.com/books?id=bOLFDQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=creswell+qualitative&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjJ5tO93tfcAhVFeawKHaWFARAQuwUINDAB#v=onepage&q=creswell%20qualitative&f=false Have a great day! --Adrian
I think a mixed method will be better using properly constructed questionnaire and focus group or personal interviews of the key informants. At the stage of triangulation, qualitative data collected through interviews will further support the findings of the quantitative data.
- Badges
- Science method
- Similar topics
- Methodology
- Research Methodology
- Qualitative Research