Ch 8.6 Using Theoretical Framework

Kazuya SakaiGraduate StudentDept. of CSSE, Auburn UniversityCh 8.6 Using Theoretical FrameworkTheoretical frameworks for qualitative analysisBasing data analysis around theoretical frameworks provides further insightFrameworksGrounded TheoryDistributed CognitionActivity TheoryGrounded TheoryGrounded TheoryAims to develop theory from systematic analysis of dataIs based on categorization approach, called codingThere are three level of codingOpen codingAxial codingSelective codingOpen CodingOpen coding is to identify categories

Axial CodingAxial coding is to flash out and link to subcategories1. Major categories are hierarchically related to subcategories

Axial Coding (Cont.)2. For each category, a researcher creates a description, called memo, to integrate as many of the categories and subcategories as possible

Selective codingSelective coding is to form theoretical schemeOne category is chosen to be the core category, and relating all other category to that categoryDistributed CognitionThe people, environment, and artifacts are regarded as one cognitive systemUsed for analyzing collaborative workFocuses on information propagation and transformation

Example of Distributed CognitionEmployee verification at Call Centers

Activity TheoryActivity TheoryExplains human behavior in terms of our practical activity with the worldProvides a framework that focuses analysis around the concept of an activity and helps to identify tensions between the different elements of the systemTwo key models: one outlines what constitutes an activity; one models the mediating role of artifactsIndividual ModelActivity can be found in motivationse.g., completing software projectAction are performed to accomplish goalse.g., programming a moduleAction are made up of operationse.g., using operating command

Individual Model (Cont.)Activity can be action, and action can be operatione.g., a child learns alphabetA child learns how to control a penA child controls a pen to spell wordsA student writes a book reportEngestroms activity system modelhttp://csalt.lancs.ac.uk/alt/engestrom/

In Class ExerciseWhat is Grounded TheoryWhat is Distribution CognitionWhat is Activity Theory