Methodology and Statistics Department

Team: Prof. Dr. Karl F. Schumann, Hartmut Asendorf, Dr. Susann Kluge, Dr. Heinz-Günter Micheel, Dipl.-Soz.wiss. Diane Opitz

The theoretical concept of the Sfb assumes a loose coupling between the social structure and individual action strategies. To explore the mechanisms of this field of interaction, innovative methodical instruments are required. Especially, the longitudinal research designs of the Sfb-projects with quantitative macro- and qualitative micropanels need elaborated methodological approaches. In close cooperation with our empirical research projects, the methodology department of the Sfb 186 has developed and published new methodological concepts and methodical solutions.

We are focusing particularly on the combination of quantitative and qualitative methods but also problems of quantitative longitudinal dataset analysis and qualitative data. Within this context the following types of questions are considered: procedures for qualitative and quantitative sampling, concepts for the computer-aided administration of unstructured textual data, strategies for the methodologically controlled analysis of qualitative data, procedures for typification and classification on the basis of qualitative and standardised data, methods for the exploratory analysis of longitudinal data and procedures for modelling standardised longitudinal data.

In the final research phase, our focus is on developing exploratory methods for longitudinal data and solving evaluation problems of qualitative and quantitative panel studies and problems in comparative studies. Our methodological approaches and concepts will be published in two volumes in 2001.

Furthermore, the methodology department will complete the archiving of the qualitative and quantitative Sfb-data sets. For this purpose, we have programmed a data-bank ("QBiQ") for archiving verbal and numeric data and elaborated a concept for the computer-aided archiving of the Sfb-data sets. This concept includes special guidelines for the anonymisation of the text material to guarantee an optimal protection of persons and data. Moreover, specific information about the archived data sets are documented in a database application, which will also be available on the Sfb internet homepage.