Conducting a participant observation study

Question 1

What are the issues with getting in to do a study?

Answer 1

to do the study, researchers must first gain entry to the group and some groups are easier to access than others

Question 2

What are the issues with making contact to do a study?

Answer 2

Making contact with the group may depend on personal skills, having the right connections, or even pure chance

Question 3

Ned Polsky - making contact

Answer 3

was a good pool player, found his skill useful in gaining entry to the world of poolroom hustler

Question 4

James Patrick - making contact

Answer 4

able to join a Glasgow gang because he looked young and knew one member from having taught him in approved school

Question 5

Eileen Fairhurst

Answer 5

found herself hospitalised by back troubles and used the opportunity ti conduct a study on being a patient

Question 6

What are the issues with acceptance in a study?

Answer 6

to gain entry to a group, the researcher will have to win their trust and acceptance