1. Is "Soul of the New Machine" a qualitative study based on the six criteria outlined in "The Enlightened Eye?"

It is intriguing to leverage the six features of a qualitative study based on “The Enlightened Eye”. Some qualitative features are not exactly evident in the book “Soul of the New Machine”. Still, from the class discussion last week and the content of the book itself, it is proper to say that the Soul of the New Machine is similar to a qualitative study. The first feature is field focus. I assume that Track Kidder is a researcher. Qualitative researchers employ ways of interview, description, interpretation, and observation to carry out field research. Kidder observed team members such as Carl Alsing, Steve Wallach, and Jim Veres to build a computer to write his book. Besides, he also described key person’s working style together with developing a new computer so the book meets the first qualitative feature – field focus. The second feature is that a researcher himself is an instrument. That is, a researcher is able to perceive and interpret subtle objects and knows the overall domain. The terms sensibility and schema are used to account for this feature.  Kidder realized the essential schema relating to building a new computer and had sensibility of knowing the complex process of building a new computer. The third feature is interpretation. Of this feature, Kidder evidently accounted for the reason Data General (DG) called for building a new computer called “Eagle”. Because DG needed to invent a new machine to challenge Digital Equipment’s VAX computer. It is primary motivation for DG to build a new machine. The forth feature is expressive language. It is the way for readers to experience the real situation. Kidder employed Wall Street, Fortune 500 these popular terms to persuade readers that it is a real story. In addition, detailed depiction of the process of building a new computer does usher readers into the story. The fifth feature is attention to particulars. Computer terminologies, vivid characters of roles, and a unique event of competition between DG and DEC draw readers’ attention to particular. The sixth feature is persuasive because of its coherence. As I mentioned above, utilizing well-known names such as IBM, Wall Street, and Fortune 500 with detailed description all make readers to believe it is a real story. In sum, from a big picture to look into Soul of the New Machine, it basically meets the six features of qualitative research.

2. What are the similarities and differences between non-fiction, documentary films, and naturalistic social science in explaining knowledge about every day life?

I found the definition between non-fiction and documentary films is vague because film history has evolved. What can be certain is that both of them have narrative elements, telling people a story of a place, an event, and a person. What might be different is that documentary films tell people genuine people and events in the history; however, non-fiction films put creative ingredients, which might be artificial people or events, into real events or people. The similarity between documentary cinema and naturalistic social science is to enhance people’s understanding as to varying levels of social life. Selecting reality and presenting accounts can be found on both of them, though naturalistic social scientists may obtain limited feedback as to their research. On the other hand, naturalistic social scientists investigate and collect selected aspects of social life that could become good sources or ideas for documentary films.