Category Archives: Methods

Making a case

Posted on June 16, 2016 by catrionao

I am on a bit of a PhD roll at the moment. I’ve been working on methodology, trying to structure a chapter and write a little bit every day. A lot of the writing involves re-writing, so sometimes it feels … Continue reading →

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Researching Marginalised Groups Symposium

Posted on December 7, 2015 by catrionao

It’s been a while since my last post – embarrassingly long. Full time work and a hefty commute have eaten up any available time I had to do this, but in trying to sort out my notes from some recent conferences, … Continue reading →

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On observations: 4 approaches from Harry Wolcott

Posted on December 17, 2014 by catrionao

I’ve been reading Harry Wolcott’s book “Transforming Qualitative Data” (Sage, 1994) and have really enjoyed the chapters on observation. Wolcot takes more of an ethnographic stance on observation than I do, but there is much to ponder in what he … Continue reading →

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Hierarchical focusing in interviews

Posted on November 8, 2014 by catrionao

Tomlinson, P. (1989). Having it both ways: hierarchical focusing as research interview method. British Educational Research Journal, 15(2), 155-176.   I am steadily working through methodology issues from my review and have submitted a more extended piece of writing on it for … Continue reading →

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Michel Callon and the Scallop Fishermen

Posted on January 29, 2014 by catrionao

Ethically sourced photos from John Johnston’s cc flickr search tool I’ve always loved coastlines – living in Banff in the north east of Scotland for most of my school days has left me with a rather sentimental hankering for rocky shores, … Continue reading →

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Supervision 5

Posted on December 14, 2013 by catrionao

This week I had my 5th supervision meeting; the discussion covered a lot of ground, starting with epistemology and ontology, theoretical frameworks, models of analysis, concepts to be examined in literature, designing methods and planning a pilot study. It’s beginning … Continue reading →

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The ILiAD study: Investigating Links in Achievement and Deprivation

Posted on November 14, 2013 by catrionao

This is a big 3 year study taking place in Northern Ireland, under the direction of Professor Ruth Leitch which has government funding. Prof Leitch came along to give a seminar today to the School of Education at Stirling University, … Continue reading →

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Supervision 3

Posted on August 6, 2013 by catrionao

Meeting with both supervisors today which was great. I’m really grateful that they both made time for the meeting. This was my first stab at getting something down on paper – I decided to start with a brief skim over … Continue reading →

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Silverman on observation

Posted on July 4, 2013 by catrionao

Just finished reading a chapter by David Silverman on observation : Innumerable Inscrutable Habits: Why Unremarkable Things Matter. I really loved the way he wove some of my favourite books and authors into his arguments about seeing the remarkable in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Methods, PhD, Research | Tagged , | 3 Comments