Chapter 9 - Ethnography & Participant Observation

Question 1

ethnography/participant observation

Answer 1

researcher is emersed in a group of people for a long time, observing behaviour, listening to what subjects have to say, asking questions. Typically supplemnted with further research through documents/interviews, especially for unclear or unobservable behaviour

Question 2

participant observation = ethnography?

Answer 2

yes, but ethnography will be used as a broader term that includes participant observation

Question 3

ethnography is difficult to generalize, which means….

Answer 3

research is often carried out for knowledge for the sake of knowledge

Question 4

what is the most difficult step of ethnography/participant observation?

Answer 4

gaining access

Question 5

open vs closed setting

Answer 5

• open = areas anyone can gain access like libraries, parks, sidewalks
• closed includes organizations of various kinds like schools, cults, social movements

Question 6

how to gain access

Answer 6

use connections, get someone in organization to vouch for you, offer something in return, provide clear explanations of aims/methods, be prepared to negotiate, be frank about how much time you’ll need

Question 7

gatekeepers

Answer 7

people who must grant access to research setting

Question 8

sponsor

Answer 8

people who vouch for the researcher in order to get them access to research setting

Question 9

difficulties of ongoing access

Answer 9

people may start getting suspicious
groups will worry about their responses getting back to the boss
might sabatoge if suspicious

Question 10

risks of offering something in return for access to research setting

Answer 10

risk of making researcher a cheap consultant

risk of being forced to sensor/alter results (to avoid this, allow access to the final report, and not a working draft)

Question 11

how to maintain ongoing access in closed settings

Answer 11

play up credentials, don’t give people a reason to dislike you, play a role

Question 12

how to maintain ongoing access in closed settings

Answer 12

have a plan for allaying suspicions, be prepared for tests of competence/credibility, and for changes in circumstances

Question 13

overt vs covert

Answer 13

covert role does not disclose to subjects that you are a researcher

Question 14

distinction between overt/covert is…

Answer 14

unclear

Question 15

retrospective ethnography

Answer 15

using observations collected before decision to conduct study was made

Question 16

pros and cons of covert role

Answer 16

\+grants easier access 
\+lessens reactivity 
-problem with taking notes
-not being able to interview 
-anxiety regarding detection 
-ethical problems

Question 17

key informants

Answer 17

informants who develop an understanding of research and are able to identify situations, events, or people likely to be helpful.

Question 18

pros and cons of key informants

Answer 18

+provide support
+lessen stress
+spontaneous
-undue reliance can result in narrow perspective

Question 19

different roles of ethnographers

Answer 19

complete participant, participant as observer, observer as participant, complete observer

Question 20

complete participant

Answer 20

covert observer; fully functioning member of social setting whose true identity is unknown to participants

Question 21

participant as observer

Answer 21

a complete participant who plays an overt role; risk of overidentification

Question 22

observer as participant

Answer 22

researcher is mainly interviewer and observer, participate marginally in group activities ; risk of making incorrect references

Question 23

complete observer

Answer 23

no interaction with people observed; usually not considered an ethnography; less risk of reactivity, less understanding

Question 24

active vs passive ethnography

Answer 24

some ethnographers think lack of participation will be interpreted as a lack of commitment to group, thus lack of credibility, which can be dangerous in high risk/illegal activity. passive participation is much more dangerous in covert role

Question 25

how to take field notes

Answer 25

write down notes ASAP, write full field notes at the end of the day at least, allow for plenty of time for transcribing tape recordings, notes must be vivid, clear, complete

Question 26

taking notes in real time…

Answer 26

is best, but can make people feel self-conscious

Question 27

what is the difficulty with tape recorders?

Answer 27

takes long time to transcribe, might pick up extraneous noise

Question 28

mental notes

Answer 28

useful when you can’t look like you’re taking notes, but must recorded as soon as possible

Question 29

jotted notes

Answer 29

aka scratch or rough notes. brief notes to jog memory about events to be recorded later, like little phrases, quotes, and key words

Question 30

full field notes

Answer 30

main data source, as much data as possible, even if it’s irrelevant because it might become relevant

Question 31

analytic memos

Answer 31

additional thoughts on what data could mean, helps bridge gap between concepts and data, kept separately from data

Question 32

visual ethnography

Answer 32

used as memory aids, sources of data, or prompts for discussion

Question 33

realist framework

Answer 33

material simply captures an event or setting that become fact for researchers; rarely flies in sociology

Question 34

reflexive framework

Answer 34

entails awareness of and sensitivity to ways in which researchers determine what images mean; frequently collaborative

Question 35

when does ethnography come to an end?

Answer 35

natural end (ex: rave scene declining)
occupational/personal/family reasons
threshold of stress for researcher
saturation point has been reached