Question 5

How Can Qualitative Researchers Produce Work That is Meaningful Across Time, Space, and Culture?

Markham says that "the product of our research is several times removed from experience" and that "our theory about how the world works is bounded by invisible frames" that we can not control or ever really grasp and define.

She argues against the question of the chapter, that it's not really possible to do given the invisible frames.

Markham offers reflexivity as a way to offset these frames. Researchers should think about where they are coming from in order to interpret other information, even going so far as "othering" themselves.

Defining the term "global" is important because it is an all encompassing term.

She says that "any study of communication will be both local and global (glocal), but the power of qualitative approaches is most aptly realized at the local level." Meaning you cannot really think globally until you think locally, then apply that knowledge to a global context.


Basically, think about who you are, why you have the views that you do about the research you are conducting, about all the categories of human you fall under, class, nationality, gender, sex, marital status, omnivore, vegetarian, age, etc. before you start to think about what all of it might mean. Talking to people, peers, mentors, research subjects, and conducting writing exercises might help. It could confuse you more and change your questions, but you need to embrace change and just go for it.

Questions:

1. What do you think, is it pointless to really try to do research globally, even if you do try to define "global?"

2. What do you think about "glocal?" Is the internet breaking down enough walls to have this hybrid.