Grounded Theory Methodology (GTM) and CAQDAS: an exercise of autobiographical research and methodological reflection

'In the first part of this paper the author examines how a need to study the intellectual roots of Grounded Theory Method (GTM) emerged out of reflecting on the authors personal GTM reception. In the process of this the author becames more and more methodologically aware of the nature, that is, the genesis and development, of GTM. Following this, he argues that a similar process of 'becoming aware of GTM' can be traced in the writings of Glaser and Strauss. At the same time, the whole paper is in itself an attempt at practicing GTM, conditioned by the published versions of GTM and the process of reception in his case. The author tries to gain awareness of both the intellectual roots of GTM and the process of his reception of this methodology. In this paper the author traces for the reader about the processual and contextual character of his GTM reception. The author shows how he finally reach the conclusion that the methodological principles of GTM existed before this approach was developed: they were not invented by the coiners of GTM. Moreover, he emphasises the existence of both professional and more private personal experience roots in the explicitation and genesis of GTM. In the second part of the paper, the author explores the conceptual trace and historical-biographical depth of the more comprehensive debate about the particular relation between GTM and CAQDASI. His main attention is the case of Glaser's posture as the 'epicenter' of the debate. The author shows the reader the way he proceeded in generating typologies of basic cases and processes to give context to Glaser's posture. This contribution is composed from an autobiographical point of view and style of research throughout.' (author's abstract

Archival and Biographical Research Sensitivity: A European Perspective from Spain

Diese FQS-Schwerpunktausgabe zum Thema Archivierung und biografische Methoden bietet einen wichtigen Anlass, über eine europäische Initiative  zur Förderung qualitativer Sozialforschung zu informieren: EUROQUAL, gefördert durch die European Science Foundation, hat gerade die vierjährige Projektzeit (2006-2010) abgeschlossen. In diesem Beitrag werde ich einige Überlegungen und methodologische Reflexionen präsentieren, die aus dem Euroqual-Workshop "Archives and Life-History Research" erwachsen sind, der vom 21. bis zum 23. September 2009 in Madrid veranstaltet wurde. Im Besonderen geht es mir um ein Phänomen, das ich als Sensitivität für Archivierung und biografische Forschung bezeichnen möchte. Es ist essenziell wichtig mit Blick auf Forschungsqualität, Forschungsökonomie und auf ein Verständnis von Forschung als einem bewahrenswerten Gut. In diesem Zusammenhang werde ich einige Beispiele aus europäischen Ländern hinzuziehen,um die besondere Situation in Spanien zu verdeutlichen.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs110327Este número especial de FQS, sobre archivos y métodos biográficos, es una ocasión especial para informar y debatir acerca de una iniciativa europea de promoción e intercambio de experiencias de investigación cualitativa en ciencias sociales. El projecto general se diseñó como un programa de cuatro años (2006-2010) de la Fundación Europea de la Ciencia conocido por el acrónimo EUROQUAL.En este artículo se pretende aportar algunas ideas y reflexiones metodológicas surgidas en el Taller sobre Archivos e Investigación de Historias de Vida celebrado en Madrid (21-23 Septiembre 2009).  El meollo de la cuestión puede resumirse con la expresión sensibilidad investigadora de archivo y biográfica. Tiene que ver con los aspectos de calidad y economía de la investigación, así como con la concepción de la investigación social en tanto patrimonio. Se hace una aproximación al paisaje europeo también para perfilar la situación en España.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs110327This FQS issue on archives and biographical methods is a special occasion to inform about a European initiative for the promotion and exchange of experiences of qualitative research in the social sciences. The whole project was designed as a a four-year (2006-2010) European Science Foundation program known by the acronym EUROQUAL. This article intends to provide some ideas and methodological reflections arising from the Madrid EUROQUAL-Workshop on Archives and Life-History Research (21-23 September 2009). The key point concerns what I suggest to name archival and biographical research "sensitivity." It has to do with the issues of research quality, research economy and the conception of social research as patrimony. Approaches in the European landscape also serve to highlight the contrasting situation in Spain.URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs11032

Metodología biográfica y experiencia migratoria : actualidad del enfoque de los testimonios anónimos y de autor en el legado de Juan F. Marsal

La celebración del IX Congreso de la FES, en Barcelona, ha sido una ocasión especial para rendir tributo a la figura de Juan F. Marsal Agelet. Nace en dicha ciudad en 1928. Emigra a Buenos Aires («por más de veinte años») a comienzos de los años cincuenta, donde publicará su célebre Hacer la América (1969), la historia de vida de un emigrante español que representa el contramito del indiano. Marsal retorna a comienzos de la década de 1970, llamado por la UAB para organizar el Departamento de Sociología, y es el primer director de Papers. Aunque su paréntesis vital se cierra prematuramente en 1979, deja un legado sociológico relevante, teórico y metodológico. Aquí se aportan nuevas reflexiones metodológicas, ligadas a la práctica investigadora actual sobre la inmigración en España. Al hilo de la fase cualitativa de un proyecto I+D sobre la medición de la xenofobia en España (MEXEES), se razona el enfoque (auto)biográfico practicado. La actualidad del legado de Marsal se halla en su transición metodológica y en aportes teóricos como el que relaciona la visibilidad del inmigrante con la integración de éste. El método de los testimonios, de los investigados y del investigador encierra una propuesta tradicional e innovadora a la vez de oficio sociológico. Y apunta a una tarea individual y colectiva por hacer: la de archivar y promover el conocimiento de la experiencia vivida.The 9th FES Congress in Barcelona has been a special opportunity of homage to Juan F. Marsal Agelet. Born in that city in 1928. Emigrates to Buenos Aires («for more than twenty years») at the beginning of the 50s, where his well-known Making America (1969) is originally published. The life history of a Spanish emigrant that represents the indiano counter-myth. Marsal returns in the early 70s to help settle down the Department of Sociology in the UAB, becoming the first director of Papers. Although his life comes to an end suddenly in 1979, he left a relevant sociological legacy, both theoretical and methodological. This paper brings new methodological reflections, related to a recent research practice on immigration in Spain. Along the qualitative phase of a project about measuring xenophobia in Spain, the (auto)biographical method practiced is reasoned. Marsal's legacy is considered of present day importance, both his methodological transition and his theoretical reasoning related to the visibility of immigrants and their integration. The method of testimonios, those given by the informants and also by the researcher, involves a traditional and modern proposal of sociological craftsmanship. And it aims to an individual and collective task under way: archiving and promoting the knowledge of lived experience

Qualitative archives and biographical research methods. An introduction to the FQS special issue

The use of archival materials as a point of departure when designing and launching social research takes for granted that a culture of archiving (for sharing and re-use) has rooted time ago in our complex societies. This mentality and research practice first flourished and is fairly well installed in the case of statistics, surveys and certain other primary or secondary documents. On the contrary, it is less frequent and certainly not a routine activity for qualitative data. Only some of the raw and elaborated materials gathered during qualitative research become part of an archive for further reanalysis. These can include the backstage practices and experiences of a project, raw materials such as field notes, audio and visual recordings, and other documents produced during the research process. This issue presents a colorful range of articles that deal with experiences, challenges and opportunities of archiving and re-using qualitative material, particularly under the umbrella of biographical and narrative research. It aims to raise awareness of the importance of archiving in qualitative social research and highlights some of the new methodological reflections and approaches that have been and that are being developed within the European landscape. We hope that the articles in this issue will help promote further communication and exchange among qualitative archival practitioners from different countries and with different sensitivities and conceptual horizons. © 2011 FQS

Abrirse camino en el mundo de la investigación social cualitativa, desde la península ibérica, entre los milenios segundo y tercero. Testimonio personal

Mit diesem Beitrag beschreitet der Autor erstmals autobiographisches Terrain, indem er sich mit seinem eigenen akademischen und professionellen Weg innerhalb der qualitativen Sozialforschung auseinandersetzt und durchaus auch einige vor Beginn des Schreibens nicht erwartete Einsichten zu Tage fördert. Beim Erzählen der gelebten Erfahrung wird sehr viel Wert auf deren raumzeitliche Einbettung gelegt. Die retrospektive Perspektive verbindet methodologische Reflexion auf den Erwerb und die Verwendung qualitativer Methodik mit dem Versuch, den Einfluss der "Lehrer" angemessen zu würdigen. In gewisser Weise wird ein traditionelles Übergangsritual dokumentiert, das qualitative Forschende durchleben, verbunden mit der Einladung an andere Forschende, die eigenen Autobiographien zu veröffentlichen. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0604166This article constitutes a first contribution of the author to the field of autobiographical narrative, focusing on his academic and professional trajectory related to qualitative research, and including some unforeseen aspects that emerged while writing. There is an emphasis on the spatio-temporal coordinates from which the lived experience is told. The retrospective glance combines a methodological reflection (about the genesis and development of a formative process and of acquisition of awareness), with the intention of paying homage to the teachers. It is a way of fulfilling a traditional rite of passage faced by qualitative researchers, inviting other colleagues to publish their autobiographies. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0604166El presente artículo constituye una primera aportación del autor en el terreno de la narración autobiográfica, acerca de su trayectoria académica y profesional relacionada con la investigación cualitativa. Se hace a propósito de la convocatoria del volumen especial de FQS centrado en Iberoamérica, que contemplaba ya esta clase de contribuciones. El texto resultante contiene aspectos previstos, junto con otros que han ido surgiendo de forma menos anticipada durante la escritura. Hay un énfasis en las coordenadas espacio-temporales desde las que se relata la experiencia vivida. La mirada retrospectiva combina una reflexión metodológica (sobre la génesis y desarrollo de un proceso formativo y de adquisición de conciencia), con la intención de homenaje a los maestros. Es una forma de cumplir con el rito de paso de los investigadores cualitativistas e invitar a otros colegas a estampar sus autobiografías. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs060416

Presentación

Sin resume

Investigación social cualitativa en España: presente, pasado y futuro. Un retrato

Kartographische Arbeiten gehen in der Regel mit der Bemühung einher, den Wissensstand in den jeweiligen Feldern voranzutreiben. In diesem Beitrag versuchen wir eine Kartographie qualitativer Methodologie in Spanien. Vergleichbar einem Maler, der an einem Portrait arbeitet, entwickeln wir im Verlauf unserer Beschreibung sukzessive neue Schichten, Farben, Perspektiven und Tiefe. Das Bild, das am Ende steht, verstehen wir als Fenster, durch das Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft qualitativer Sozialforschung in unserem Land sichtbar werden soll. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0503183Cartographic work has always gone hand in hand with the effort for the advancement of knowl­edge in many fields. In this paper we will sketch a cartography of qualitative methodology in Spain. Just like a painter who works on a portrait, we will proceed to add layers, colours, per­spec­tives and depth as we go on with our description. The final picture will serve as a window through which the past, present and future of qualitative social research in our country can be observed. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0503183La tarea de cartografiar ha acompa­ñado siempre el avance del conocimiento, en muy diferentes disciplinas. Con este espíritu aborda­mos el presente artículo, en el que nos propone­mos esbozar un mapa posible de la metodología cualitativa en España. Procederemos, sin em­bargo, más como un pintor que compone su obra añadiendo capas, combinando colores y perspec­tivas. Así, el mapa – o más bien el retrato – resul­tante intenta ser una ventana a través de la cual poder observar el pasado, presente y futuro (PPF) de la investigación social cualitativa en nuestro país. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs050318

A large population of diverse neurons in the Drosophila central nervous system expresses short neuropeptide F, suggesting multiple distributed peptide functions

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Insect neuropeptides are distributed in stereotypic sets of neurons that commonly constitute a small fraction of the total number of neurons. However, some neuropeptide genes are expressed in larger numbers of neurons of diverse types suggesting that they are involved in a greater diversity of functions. One of these widely expressed genes, <it>snpf</it>, encodes the precursor of short neuropeptide F (sNPF). To unravel possible functional diversity we have mapped the distribution of transcript of the <it>snpf </it>gene and its peptide products in the central nervous system (CNS) of <it>Drosophila </it>in relation to other neuronal markers.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There are several hundreds of neurons in the larval CNS and several thousands in the adult <it>Drosophila </it>brain expressing <it>snpf </it>transcript and sNPF peptide. Most of these neurons are intrinsic interneurons of the mushroom bodies. Additionally, sNPF is expressed in numerous small interneurons of the CNS, olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) of the antennae, and in a small set of possibly neurosecretory cells innervating the corpora cardiaca and aorta. A sNPF-Gal4 line confirms most of the expression pattern. None of the sNPF immunoreactive neurons co-express a marker for the transcription factor DIMMED, suggesting that the majority are not neurosecretory cells or large interneurons involved in episodic bulk transmission. Instead a portion of the sNPF producing neurons co-express markers for classical neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, GABA and glutamate, suggesting that sNPF is a co-transmitter or local neuromodulator in ORNs and many interneurons. Interestingly, sNPF is coexpressed both with presumed excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. A few sNPF expressing neurons in the brain colocalize the peptide corazonin and a pair of dorsal neurons in the first abdominal neuromere coexpresses sNPF and insulin-like peptide 7 (ILP7).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It is likely that sNPF has multiple functions as neurohormone as well as local neuromodulator/co-transmitter in various CNS circuits, including olfactory circuits both at the level of the first synapse and at the mushroom body output level. Some of the sNPF immunoreactive axons terminate in close proximity to neurosecretory cells producing ILPs and adipokinetic hormone, indicating that sNPF also might regulate hormone production or release.</p

Recommendations for National Risk Assessment for Disaster Risk Management in EU

Decision No 1313/2013/EU on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) calls Participating States to develop risk assessments periodically and make the summary of their National Risk Assessment (NRA) available to the European Commission as a way to prevent disaster risk in Europe. In order to facilitate countries on this task, the European Commission developed the Guidelines on risk assessment and mapping. In spite of these, the summaries received have revealed several challenges related to the process and the content of the assessments. The current report aims to provide scientific support to the UCPM participant countries in their development of NRA, explaining why and how a risk assessment could be carried out, how the results of this could be used for Disaster Risk Management planning and in general, how science can help civil protection authorities and staff from ministries and agencies engaged in NRA activities. The report is the result of the collaborative effort of the Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre team and nine Joint Research Centre expert groups which provided their insight on tools and methods for specific risk assessment related to certain hazards and assets: drought, earthquakes, floods, terrorist attacks, biological disasters, critical infrastructures, chemical accidents, nuclear accidents and Natech accidents. The current document would be improved by a next version that would include scientific guidance on other risks and the collaboration of potential users.JRC.E.1-Disaster Risk Managemen