A step-by-step primer is presented that introduces the reader to ethnography and its practical applications, then guides the reader through each stage of the ethnographic inquiry process (initial steps, observation, interviews, data analysis, leaving the site, and reporting the findings). The concrete guidelines and suggestions help the reader…

A computer program has been developed that analyzes data from interview transcripts, field notes, and other sources without a priori frameworks or the tedious categorizing of passages. The program finds repetitive association of words or ideas that characterize a verbal response corpus. An example of the program's use is given. (SLD)

This paper takes a critically reflective look at field research done in the early career of an academic and in so doing uncovers the dilemmas of a novice researcher that are rarely acknowledged in texts that address qualitative methods. It addresses issues of power in research associations surrounding different paradigms and the ways in which the…

The "CSE Program Evaluation Kit" is a series of nine books intended to assist people conducting program evaluations. This volume, the fourth in the kit, explains the basic assumptions underlying qualitative procedures, suggests evaluation situations where qualitative designs are useful, and provides guidelines for designing qualitative…

Major differences and similarities between outdoor education in Great Britain and the U.S. are discussed. (FF)

Designed for persons interested in using "A Manual for Investigating American English in the South: Field Procedures" as a tool rather than using the approach suggested in the manual, this guide provides a preliminary set of instructions for using the manual, including comments on appropriate fieldwork orientation. Section II outlines…

The role of interviewing in diffusing possible harmful side effects of sterilization operations was evaluated in an acute general hospital. Two simultaneous field experiments were conducted with 50 vasectomy couples and 50 tubal-ligation couples. There were no significant differences between the interview and control groups. (Author)

This article details an undergraduate class assignment to utilize published map information for the evaluation of specific physical and environmental factors applicable to a hypothetical residential development. On-site field trips and interviews with town planners were used to augment the team-effort within the class land-use discussions and…

A statewide goal priority instrument was validated. Public hearings were held, the results summarized by citizens, and an instrument constructed on this summary. The instrument design was that of Stake and Gooler, which suggests important variations in respondent publics, the scales employed, and the specificity of the statements. These variations…

Describes characteristics of questions in the ethnographic interview setting. Concentrates on the relational aspects of interviewing and on the issues of assumptions, categories, and scope. Applies ideas about questioning in general to work with child informants. (Author/LHW)

Discusses research strategy and data collection methods in field studies of unapprehended illegal immigrants living in the United States and suggests ways to increase the reliability and validity of interview responses. Also provides a bibliography of recent field studies of undocumented immigrants. (Author/GC)

Describes the procedures used in a study designed to examine differences in nonstandard grammatical usage among and between Negro and white working-class informants in the community of Alexandria, Virginia. (Author/FB)

A great deal of work has been accomplished over the past several years on children's conceptualizations of various scientific phenomena. A problem, however, is determining whether one's collection techniques provide a complete picture. In this study three techniques (the repertory grid, draw and describe, and the interview about events) were used…

Two field studies of high school students' sense of obligation to nonclass school activities are reported. "Sense of obligation" is conceived of as mediating some relations between the student and the school environment and is defined as a personal feeling of "I ought to..." or "I must...," i.e., a personal constraint, with reference to attending…