Wolfe and Qualitative Research

[Christopher Rhoades Dÿkema]

You are more of a researcher than I am so probably have a better of what a
"typical methods  chapter" ought to include than I do. Wolfe's first chapter,
after a discussion of general issues, does present data as to the locations where
his interviews took place, and the broad demographic characteristics of the
subjects. However, as Doug's review points out, he is vague about his interview
protocol, what he asked how he formulated his and his assistants' approach. ONe
of them, one Maria Poarch, seems to have lived for periods of time in the
communities.

Actually, to disagree a little with Doug on one point, I think Wolfe is less of a
homophobe. Since publishing this book, he has commented on the seeming growth of
acceptance of gays and gay rights. This is an important point, and it challenges
family values in a way that the Dr. Dobsons find painful. Wolfe is more of a
neo-liberal, as I said before, and he seems more interested in supporting the
"middle-class" self-concept as legitimate achievers, in contrast to the poor.
Christopher Rhoades Dÿkema

Kelley Walker wrote:


> At 02:25 PM 4/16/01 -0400, LeoCasey at aol.com wrote:
> >There are methods of qualitative research, of which ethnography is only one
> >example, which do not rely on quantitaive, numbers crunching techniques.
> >These are valid and important methods of research. Most school-based and
> >classroom-based action research in education, for example, rely on
> >qualitative research techniques. There are journals and listservs dedicated
> >entirely to the subject of qualitative research. But what distinguishes
> >qualitative research from journalism is that it has its own methods and
> >protocols, and it is not clear to me that Wolfe followed these protocols and
> >methods. It is important to distinguish between the two issues.
> >
> >Leo Casey
> >United Federation of Teachers
> >260 Park Avenue South
> >New York, New York 10010-7272 (212-598-6869)
>
> wolfe is classically trained in crunching. he was very wary of using qual
> methods. when he spoke about his research he was very aware of the
> limitations of qual methods. in fact, as i recall, he has a typical methods
> chapter, right doug? chris?