In navigating my Urban Sociology dissertation on Urban inequality and community development, I find myself at a crossroads balancing theory and empirical data. Currently grappling with interview transcription challenges, refining my theoretical framework, and addressing ethical considerations. in my experience, how do you efficiently balance these elements in your own research? any insights for a fellow **social science** researcher? .
Use a "dialectical" approach. Let theory guide your initial questions, but let data reshape your framework as you go. I started with classic gentrification theory, but my interviews showed dynamics the literature doesn't capture. Now I'm building toward a new framework.
For transcription: I use Otter.ai for rough drafts, then manually correct while adding notes. Saves hours and keeps me engaged with the data.
For ethical stuff: Always get written consent, anonymize carefully, and consider giving participants the chance to review quotes. Communities have been over-researched – reciprocity matters.
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