Case study, North Carolina

I've decided to concentrate my case study on North Carolina Native Americans (Cherokee, Catawba) and Researchers (museum professionals, anthropologists) and the effect of NAGPRA.

New Ideas about Garbage

Looking at Joanne Martin's ideas on the 'garbage research model' as applied to social science research.  I read her 1981 paper and found it an interesting idea on how you put your head around a doing research in a field that has no dominant paradigm.  Although intriguing, I'm not positive that I can apply it to my proposal, but I may try.

Qualitative Analyses of Documents

The use of content analyses of documents produced by past NAGPRA conferences such as minutes of meetings, letters, memoranda, speeches other ephemera could give a good insight as to the evolution of the Act over the past 20 years.

Participant Observation

Interested in adding some participant observation into the mix.  Robson stated that it is used in case studies.  This would only be sitting in on a meeting of NAGRA representatives.  But perhaps I could find a couple of key informants for my research.

Skype Interview

Looking into using Skype as a way to interview individuals for my research proposal.  I found some guidelines from a paper by Jane K. Cater (2011) for using Skype for qualitative research "Skype: A cost effective method for qualitative research."
The link suggests using Call Recorder for Skype to record the interview, which can be downloaded from ecamm.com.  This software records Skype audio and video.
It also suggests ways to easily transcribe the interview by using transcription software or the QuickTime control box.

Intro and Lit Review

Currently working on the introduction and literature review for research proposal.  Also been perusing some of the samples for a better feel of how others have structured their papers.  Especially interested in the appendix.  I know that I am not going to have a questionnaire or a survey, but it is going to be dependent on interviews as I've already mentioned.  I feel that it is starting to look less and less nebulous.

Case Study

On further research I've decided to go with the flexible design research strategy.  This strategy is concentrated in qualitative research, which fits my research proposal because it is interview heavy.  I also believe that the best flexible strategy approach for my work is the case study.  This approach can be used to focus on an organization, such as the organization made up of museum professional, anthropologists, and Native American leaders that are the ones who make decisions based upon the NAGPRA legislation.

JOURNEYS TO REPATRIATION: 15 Years of NAGPRA Grants, 1994–2008 - Chari - 2010 - Museum Anthropology - Wiley Online Library

JOURNEYS TO REPATRIATION: 15 Years of NAGPRA Grants, 1994–2008 - Chari - 2010 - Museum Anthropology - Wiley Online Library

Reburying the Dead: The Effects of NAGPRA on our Relationships and Obligations to the Deceased - Colquhoun - 2008 - Anthropology of Consciousness - Wiley Online Library

Reburying the Dead: The Effects of NAGPRA on our Relationships and Obligations to the Deceased - Colquhoun - 2008 - Anthropology of Consciousness - Wiley Online Library

Controversy and Conflict: NAGPRA and the Role of Biological Anthropology in Determining Cultural Affiliation - Schillaci - 2010 - PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review - Wiley Online Library

Controversy and Conflict: NAGPRA and the Role of Biological Anthropology in Determining Cultural Affiliation - Schillaci - 2010 - PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review - Wiley Online Library

Further Research

http://www.groundedtheory.com/
Looking deeper into the grounded theory study.  It has its own institute.  The site says that it is not a qualitative method but is qualitative and quantitative, which is great because it is exactly what I was looking for.  Although there is going to be interviews in the research proposal there also needs to be quantitative research included.  I yet to determine what it will be but perhaps something along the lines of a comparison of the number of remains that have been repatriated as compared to what hasn't.

Grounded Theory Study

Looking at Grounded Theory Study as a research strategy.  Still looking at data collection approaches but a majority of it will be made up of interviews.

REPATRIATION AND COLLABORATION: 20 Years Later - Bernstein - 2010 - Museum Anthropology - Wiley Online Library

REPATRIATION AND COLLABORATION: 20 Years Later - Bernstein - 2010 - Museum Anthropology - Wiley Online Library

“A WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO EACH SIDE”: The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee, 1991–2010 - McKeown - 2010 - Museum Anthropology - Wiley Online Library

“A WILLINGNESS TO LISTEN TO EACH SIDE”: The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Review Committee, 1991–2010 - McKeown - 2010 - Museum Anthropology - Wiley Online Library

Anthrosource - Abstract Details

Anthrosource - Abstract Details

Native American Graves and Repatriation Act

At the moment I'm researching articles on whether the NAGRA may be a viable topic.  My ideas are to approach it by interviewing researchers to find out whether it has been a hindrance to scientific research and if so, how much.  Also I would like to research whether it has been effective in addressing cultural concerns among Native Americans regarding remains stored in museums or research labs.

SLIS 705

I haven't started my project yet.