Having established the perspective of the ethnographic gaze within the case, the processes used for the analysis of the data are now discussed. There were two aspects to the analytic process. Using ethnographic principles, the case situation was explored, and analysed inductively by drawing questions, theming data, and exploring social constructions. The data was also examined analytically in relation to SIT, and thematic analysis was undertaken to test
classification, and categorisation of the data. These two inductive and deductive processes were used to inform each other. The to and fro of analytical processes were designed to surface aspects of how the nurses’ professional identity was working, and being constructed during the studied activities. In table 3 the analytic framework for the SIT component is identified.
Table 3: Thematic Analysis Framework for SIT
Group Performance Social Identities: Self-categorisation
Group Motivation
What motivates the individual to work on behalf of the
Social Identity Salience
Identification with a group affects behaviour only to the
Prototype
A “fuzzy set of attributes that define one group, and distinguish it from
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membership is salient
other groups” (Hogg & Reid, 2006 p10). Prototypes are context dependent
Group Goals, and Norms
Standards that are internalised through identification, and thus mainly affect group members
Cross cutting Identities
a) inclusive/exclusive; b) abstract/concrete c) distal/proximal higher-order identities, and lower-order identities
Normative fit
Perceived similarities, and
differences between group members with group membership resulting in normative meanings for group members Group Efficacy high performance is perceived to be under volitional control Nested Identities Formal/informal
higher-order identities, and lower-order identities
Comparative fit
defining of oneself to a particular self-category when the differences of the in-group are perceived to be less than others within a given context (Haslam, 2003, pp. 121 & 252-255) It is argued that the use of deductive principles was not to test SIT but to assess the
appropriateness of this theory to describing (Barratt, Choi, & Li, 2011) professional identity within nursing.
It was considered important to deliver findings that were thick in description, blending the interpretation of behaviour, and meaning, and structure within the true character of
ethnography (Rosen, 1991). Attempts were made to explore evidence relevant to social identity, and professional identity of nurses, looking for divergent patterns in the analysis. The analysis attempted to then consider the framework of SIT drawing on professional identity, and describing any parallels, links, or associations.
In addition, aspects of Yin’s case study protocol were applied inductively to the data (Yin, 2012, pp. 13-14). The overall aim of a case study protocol is to increase the research design’s
reliability (2009, p. 79). This particular case study protocol concentrated on the development of the line of inquiry, and challenges presented in setting up for the data collection. The end result was a clarification on the structure required to develop the methods to sufficiently answer the research questions. To develop the chosen line of inquiry, the steps of the case study protocol were used.
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Ensure the data collection was of an appropriate standard, and quality.
Appropriately access the sites for data collection.
Appropriately schedule the data collection.
Be overt about the researcher as participant observer.
Clearly identify the multiple sources of data collection.
Develop the line of inquiry.
Ensure the interviews are true to the line of inquiry
Consider any other general rules that needed to be taken into account before commencing the data collection
Conclusion
Organisational ethnography and the methodological principles underlying the research design for this project have been outlined in this chapter. Key methodological concepts have been explained, drawing upon the works, and writings of some of the principal ethnographers. The specific context for the organisational ethnography in which this research was identified was the case context of acute care. The structured approach of organisational ethnography strengthened the research design to ensure the research questions were aligned with the methodology, and the data to be collected. The processes used for analysis have been developed from an established ethnographic perspective. The inductive plan involved drawing questions, theming data, and exploring social constructions. The deductive plan used SIT, and thematic analysis to categorise the data. These inductive and deductive processes are used to inform each other taking into consideration that the sequencing of ethnography is never a linear process, and therefore requires each phase to go on at the same time. The following chapter outlines the detail of the methods and how the research was essentially undertaken to achieve the principles of organisational ethnography, to appropriately answer the research questions.
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Chapter 4: Methods
The research methodology has been outlined in the previous chapter, and in this chapter the research methods are described in detail. The methods chosen are appropriate for the methodology of organisational ethnography. The main methods were fieldwork (including participant observation, video recording, and fieldnotes), and interviews.
In Figure 4 the relationship of the methods to the ethnographic processes is depicted. Just as the five key considerations (identified in chapter 3) led to the choice of methodology they were also the basis for the design, and use of ethnographic methods for the collection, and analysis of the data. The fieldwork was the primary method for working inductively from the broad work context to the specific nursing activities, analysing aspects of interrelationships between professional culture, and SIT. After the fieldwork had been completed, interviews were conducted, and participants’ insights into their practices were probed inductively, and deductively, figure 4 shows the relationship of the methods to the ethnographic processes.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is the main method used to collect information in organisational ethnography. Fieldwork is considered the” firsthand experience, and exploration of a particular cultural or social setting” (Atkinson, 2007, p. 4). For organisational ethnography this takes into
consideration the complexities of organisational processes that dominate work (Ybema, 2009, p. 23). The aim is to spend time within the natural setting with the groups of people that are part of the research project. This allows the ethnographer to collect data about the
informants/participants within their real world settings (Fetterman, 2010, p. 33). In traditional ethnographic practice, the researcher assigns an insider or outsider status, based on their knowledge of the context of the research, and their degree of influence in the natural setting. Insider status for the fieldwork component of the project was the most appropriate position for the ethnographic processes. Bonner, and Tolhurst (2002) identify the advantages of the insider perspective as not only having a greater understanding of the culture, but also being able to enter the environment without altering the social flow, enabling the quick establishment of an intimate relationship, and finally to enable the “process rather than the outcome of practice to be explored” (van der Riet, et al., 2011, p. 2).
47 | P a g e Figure 4: Relationship of the Methods to the Ethnographic Processes
48 | P a g e In the following sections different aspects of the fieldwork are discussed in detail, firstly the getting going is discussed including site selection, entry into the environment, sampling, and recruitment, and demographic information collection. Secondly, the methods of participant observation, and interviewing are outlined in detail.