In 1977 studies by William Damon showed another technique of gathering qualitative data. Using interviews to conduct his research, Damon, cited in Brownlow, was able to have more open-ended conversations that were focused at an individual level. Having a set of flexible questions, Damon was able to provide a more textured and holistic view without creating any generalizations to developmental age, capturing the richness of the nature of peer development. Kerawalla describes a preferred way...
In 1977 studies by William Damon showed another technique of gathering qualitative data. Using interviews to conduct his research, Damon, cited in Brownlow, was able to have more open-ended conversations that were focused at an individual level. Having a set of flexible questions, Damon was able to provide a more textured and holistic view without creating any generalizations to developmental age, capturing the richness of the nature of peer development. Kerawalla describes a preferred way of analysing this kind of data which is by using thematic analysis. After becoming more acquainted with the details, codes are generated to help develop themes that best describes the data. Perhaps yet avoiding personal biases during this time must be taken into account. Although his approach was different to those like Bigelow and La Gaipa, he was still able to identify similar ideas of the children’s view on a best friend while allowing the variation of peer group and friendship to be visualised.
