"Words are representations of reality, but reality is far more complex -- more full, more radically diverse, and more whole -- than any representation of it." - H. J. Goodall 55
**Required Readings and Activities
Module Three: Interpretation, Data Representation and Writing
3.2 Represents data in multiple forms and reflects on the process
**A. Readings: Clandinen, Chap 10; Eisner, Chap 10.
Lander, Dorothy. 2000. Mixed metaphors for reading and writing the qualitative thesis in adult education. Studies in the Education of Adults v. 32 no2 (Oct. 2000) p. 148-65 1997.
**Commeyras, Michelle and Bontshetse, Mazile. 2001. Imagine life in another country on another continent:teaching in the age of globalization. The Social Studies. Vol 92. No. 5, pp 198-204.
Blaszczynski, Carol.; Green, Diana J. 1999. Strategies for writing quantitative and qualitative research articles. Delta Pi Epsilon Journal v. 41 no4 (Fall 1999) p. 204-11
Saban, Ahmet. 2000. Professional growth through self-reflection and writing. Education (Chula Vista, Calif.) v. 120 no3 (Spring 2000) p. 512-18
**Journey of a Beginning Researcher - a nice overall portrayal of the total process
**Music as a Metaphor for Writing the Thesis
B. Web and Other Links:
C. Discussion Starters/Reflective Journal Topics:
1. In analyzing and writing the final document, you may find that the various forms of data representation - poems, photos, stories, readers theatre are also forms of analysis. Try your hand at writing a poem from the 1937 teacher raw data.
2. Read the Technicity article above and reflect on ways the Western scientific tradition (also known as positivism) seem to influence your ability to "make knowledge" from various representations.
D. Experiences/Activities:
1. Try your hand at writing some found poems from raw data. The main idea here is that you use the words of your interviews or documents and try to rewrite in a succinct fashion - capturing the theme you want to highlight. Do a google search and type in "found poems" and you'll find many more examples of this sort of thing. I find writing "found poems" a great analytic tool!
E. Portfolio Documentation:
1. Reflections on various philosophical perspectives, highlighting your current position - questions, qualms and quibbles as they relate to the re-presenting of data to various audiences!