Introduction
I was a bit confused about the reasoning and purpose of field notes at the beginning of this week. I must admit, this was entirely new to me—I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do or how to start. However, as the week progressed and I engaged with the concepts of qualitative vs. quantitative research, I began to see how field notes play a critical role in capturing and interpreting research observations.
Through the Minecraft observation exercise, I started to understand how qualitative research provides deeper insights that go beyond numbers. Additionally, the readings introduced me to criticality and rigor, which reshaped how I view research—particularly in questioning assumptions and ensuring ethical, thoughtful inquiry.
Understanding Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research
One of the biggest takeaways from this week was understanding how qualitative and quantitative research differ:
Quantitative research is structured, relying on numerical data, statistical methods, and measurable variables. It seeks objectivity and generalizable findings, often using surveys, experiments, and large datasets.
Qualitative research, in contrast, is exploratory and interpretive. It focuses on context, meaning, and lived experiences, using methods like observations, interviews, and case studies. Rather than searching for a single truth, qualitative research acknowledges multiple, context-dependent truths.
At first, I found myself leaning toward the comfort of quantitative research, where clear metrics and data points provide seemingly concrete answers. But as I engaged more with field notes and observation, I started to see the value of qualitative inquiry—particularly in understanding why behaviors occur, not just how often they happen.
Field Notes and Observing Minecraft Players
Initially, I struggled with how to take effective field notes during the Minecraft observation. I questioned:
What should I be writing down?
How do I make sense of what I’m seeing?
What details matter in a qualitative study?
As I observed young children playing Minecraft, I realized that field notes are about capturing raw, detailed descriptions of behavior, interactions, and engagement. Instead of just recording that a child was "playing," I focused on specific actions—how they navigated the game, how they communicated with others, and what strategies they used to solve problems.
Some key insights from this observation included:
Creativity and Exploration: The children used Minecraft as an open-ended platform for building and discovery.
Social Interaction: Some players took on leadership roles, guiding their peers, while others preferred to explore independently.
Engagement and Problem-Solving: Players demonstrated real-time learning as they adapted to challenges and collaborated.
By the end of the exercise, I realized that field notes help make sense of qualitative data by capturing nuances that numbers alone cannot. They serve as a foundation for interpreting behaviors and drawing meaningful conclusions.
Criticality in Qualitative Research
Another major learning point this week was criticality in qualitative research—the idea that research should challenge dominant perspectives and question taken-for-granted assumptions.
This means looking beyond the surface to explore deeper issues of power, inequality, and social justice within educational settings. In our Minecraft study, criticality encouraged me to ask:
Who benefits from learning through technology?
Are certain groups of students excluded or disadvantaged?
What assumptions are we making about digital learning environments?
This shift in perspective showed me that qualitative research is not just about gathering data—it’s about interpreting the complexities of human experiences while considering social and cultural factors.
Rigor in Qualitative Research
One of my biggest misconceptions about qualitative research was that it might lack rigor compared to quantitative research. However, this week’s readings emphasized that rigor in qualitative research is not about replicating results but about ensuring that the research process is thorough, ethical, and transparent.
This involves:
Transparency: Clearly documenting research methods and acknowledging biases.
Ethical Considerations: Representing participant voices accurately and responsibly.
Depth of Analysis: Moving beyond surface observations to engage with meaning and interpretation.
Understanding rigor helped me appreciate the depth of field notes—they are not just casual observations but structured reflections that contribute to a deeper understanding of the research context.
Reflection on My Learning Process
Reflecting on this week, I have gained a new perspective on qualitative research and its role in educational inquiry. While I initially felt uncertain about field notes, I now see them as a powerful tool for capturing and analyzing real-world observations.
Additionally, I found that incorporating criticality and rigor in research makes qualitative studies not just descriptive but thought-provoking and meaningful. I am now more aware of the ethical and interpretive dimensions of research, which will shape how I approach my own studies moving forward.
Conclusion
Week 2 of LTEC 6512 challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and engage with qualitative research in a deeper way. While I started the week feeling unsure about field notes, I ended it with a greater appreciation for how they help researchers capture rich, contextualized data.
Moreover, learning about criticality and rigor reinforced the importance of questioning assumptions, considering multiple perspectives, and ensuring ethical and thoughtful research practices. As I move forward in this course, I am excited to continue developing my qualitative research skills and applying them to the study of learning technologies.
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