ICS 235A: Qualitative Research Methods

Winter 2005

Tu Th, 3:30-5:00, ICS 243

Overview

The purpose of this class is to introduce you to the use of qualitative/ethnographic research methods in the design of information systems.

The class will be organized into three segments. In the first, we will explore the use of ethnographic methods in information system design, take a quick overview of the practice of ethnographic investigation and analysis, decide on projects and file for IRB approval. In the second segment, we will look in more depth at ethnographic methods, using both readings and your own project work as examples. In the third, we will consider some contemporary issues in ethnographic research, addressing topics such as representation, authority, and participation.

For more details, see the full syllabus.

Grading

The primary component of your grade will be based on a small ethnographic project that you will undertake during the quarter. Projects will be conducted in pairs.

A secondary but significant component of your grade will be based on your participation in classroom discussions.

Reading Schedule

Thursday 1/6	Overview; Ethnography and Design	Anderson, 1994. Representation and Requirements, HCI Journal. Anderson, 1997. Work, Ethnography, and System Design.
Tuesday 1/11	Human subjects procedures; Interpretive analysis	Geertz, 1977. Thick Description: Towards an Interpretive Theory of Culture, The Interpretation of Cultures.
Thursday 1/13	Projects; Styles of ethnographic investigation	Geertz, 1977. Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight, The Interpretation of Cultures. Barley, 1986. Technology as an Occasion for Structuring: Evidence from Observations of CT Scanners and the Social Order of Radiology Departments, Administrative Science Quarterly.
Tuesday 1/18	Visit by Ken Anderson; ethnography and technology.	Salvador, Bell, and Anderson, 1999. Design Ethnography, Design Management Journal.
Thursday 1/20	No class
Tuesday 1/25	Ethnography and technology	Star, 1999. The Ethnography of Infrastructure, American Behavioral Scientist. Suchman et al., 1999. Reconstructing Technologies as Social Practice, American Behavioral Scientist.
Thursday 1/27	Framing	Fine, 1992. The Culture of Production: Aesthetic Choices and Constraints in Culinary Work, American Journal of Sociology. Miller and Slater, 2000. The Internet: An Ethnographic Approach (ch1) Sudnow, 1965. Normal Crimes: Sociological Features of the Penal Code in a Public Defender Office, Social Problems.
Tuesday 2/1	Interviewing/Fieldnotes	Weiss, 1994. Interviewing, from "Learning from Strangers". Emerson, Fretz, and Shaw. Chapters 1-4.
Thursday 2/3	Coding	Emerson, Fretz, and Shaw. Chapters 5-6. Sample coded transcript Banks, Louie, and Einerson, 2000. Constructing Personal Identitites in Holiday Letters. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin. 1998. Chapters 8-10. Basics of Qualitative Research.
Tuesday 2/8	Topic-based examples	Chappell, in press. Lowrider Cruising Spaces. (Matt/Stacy) Voida et al. 2005. Listening In: Practices Surrounding iTunes Music Sharing (Rogerio/Akira) Hindmarsh and Heath. 2000. Sharing the Tools of the Trade: The Interactional Constitution of Workplace Objects. (Yang/Norman) Newcomb, Pashley, and Stasko. 2003. Mobile Computing in the Retail Arena (Ivan/Amir)
Thursday 2/10	Topic-based examples	Berkowitz and Padavic. 1999. Getting a Man or Getting Ahead: A Comparison of White and Black Sororities. (Jen/Justin) Sherry. 2001. Being in the Zone. (Amanda/Eric) Lowe. 2000. Creating Community: Art for Community Development. (Hiroko/Sharon)
Tuesday 2/15	Genevieve Bell
Thursday 2/17	Data session	Class handouts
Tuesday 2/22	Data session	Class handouts
Thursday 2/24	Data session	Class handouts
Tuesday 3/1	No class
Thursday 3/3	Data session	Class handouts
Tuesday 3/8	Data session	Class handouts
Thursday 2/24	Contemporary Issues	Marcus, 1995. Ethnography In/Of the World System, Annual Review of Anthropology. Clifford, 1983. On Ethnographic Authority, Representations. Gupta and Ferguson, 1997. Discipline and Practice, Anthropological Locations.