Coding Qualitative Data

 Maxwell: Designing a Qualitative Study

Negotiating a Research Relationship section stood out for me. Most of my studies involve my work so I constantly need to think about my relationship to others. For example, when we started the STEM initiative, I was doing observations as a way of collecting data. Because I am the statewide coordinator and manage the money flow, however, in some ways I am my sites' boss and/or funder. It took me sometime but I realized that because of this relationship, sites were nervous and viewed my presence as more of an observation/evaluation that their future programs depended on. Learning this relationship, I no longer conduct observations as they are not appropriate for me to do as their direct technical provider and "funder".

I have found doing interviews, focus group style with our youth is more effective. They are typically more comfortable in their space at their programs, and enjoy answering questions and telling stories surrounded by their friends.

Thinking about this section and the research that I want to do for our STEM initiative raises the questions, should others do the research for me, knowing my relationship to my sites and how they feel? Can I change my relationship with my sites/staff prior to my study, or is that impossible given my position of power in our dynamic?