Center for Interpretive and Qualitative Research
(CIQR -- "seeker")*

SEPT. 14, 2000

PRESENTATION: BY PROFESSOR ELLEN OLSHANSKY, CHAIR, NURSING PHD PROGRAM

TITLE: A PARADOX OF DATA-BASED FINDINGS AND INTUITIVE PROCESSES: WHEN A CONCEPT DEFIES MEASUREMENT

ABSTRACT:: After conducting a series of qualitative (grounded theory) studies on women's experiences of infertility as well as working clinically as a counselor for infertile persons, I am now exploring, through a triangulated study, the concept of depression in new mothers with a history of infertility. This presentation emphasizes the intellectual challenges that I am experiencing in "measuring" something that makes intuitive sense, but that seems to defy measurement. Discussion will focus on the strength of qualitative methods in discovering and describing findings that are often too subtle to be measured.

Minutes

The meeting began with a brief business meeting, including reports from our four sub-committees (coordinating, information and promotion, events, grants and research). Paul Richer and Gary Shank of the Information and Promotion Committee reported on their progress in constructing a CIQR brochure and website. Professor ELLEN OLSHANSKY, Chair, Nursing PhD Program, gave a presentation entitled, "A PARADOX OF DATA-BASED FINDINGS AND INTUITIVE PROCESSES: WHEN A CONCEPT DEFIES MEASUREMENT." The As in the last meeting, the room was packed (about 40 scholars) and both the presentation and following discussion were interesting and enthusiastic.