Getting Stories Straight

Well-done qualitative studies bring human beings back into the research picture and, in so doing, have the potential to move readers profoundly. In a way that numbers rarely do, hearing people speak directly about the complexities of their lives allows readers to identify with 

Disclaiming the status of hard scientist does not entitle a researcher to methodological or conceptual sloppi- 

Even if I wanted my sample to approximate the characteristics of all those who are treated with psychiatric drugs, there is no way to know precisely what that larger universe might look like. Fifty years ago we could safely say that nearly everyone who took psychiatric drugs was hospitalized with major depression or schizophrenia. By 

Instructing people on how to conduct a good in-depth interview is rather like giving hints on how to make engaging party conversation. For the conversation to flow smoothly, researchers must be deeply attentive to their respondents, have a sense about when to intervene in the conversation, when to follow up on unexpected com- 

Unlike survey research studies, in which analysis normally begins only after all the data have been collected, in-depth interview studies allow for the simultaneous collection and analysis of data. Qualitative researchers should attend to their interview transcripts as the research progresses, looking for emerging themes and plausible lines of analysis. Often ideas emerging from earlier interviews are incorporated into later ones, thus allowing the researcher to test preliminary hypotheses during the 

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Even the most competent and experienced operating superintendent can become ineffective when given an incomplete account of a problem. He is often too involved in administrative matters to find the lime to go out into the field and get the straight story. This is a weakness common to all large organizations. 

Second, prepare a good story. Remember that lots and lots of straight people overdose and try to commit suicide every day. Saying that it was an attempted suicide, and that the person had been depressed over something or other, and had tried to kill himself, is definitely better than saying it was an overdose. Otherwise, believe it or not, you just may get a policeman or attendant so intent on arguing over whether or not he was a pill freak, that they delay treating him. 

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