Field Research

Question 1

What is Field Research? (4 points)

Answer 1

• Immersing oneself in the natural social setting (social/cultural environment) of the social group being studied.
• Observing the social life of the people being studied as it naturally occurs.
• In order to:
  gain first-hand knowledge of that group.
  study aspects of the social life of that group.
• In other words, it is observing naturally-occurring events in people’s everyday life.

Question 2

List 3 aims of Field Research (3 points + sum. sent.)

Answer 2

• Get an insider’s view of reality.
• Understand the world from subjects’ own point of view & frame of reference.
• Get at the meaning of the world as understood by the social group being studied.

In essence, field researchers are interested in people’s subjective views.

Question 3

What is Participant Observation? (6 points)

Answer 3

• Observing and interacting with “people in action”.
• The aim is to gain a close & intimate understanding of a given group of people & their practices.

-Through intensive involvement with their subjects & participation in their cultural environment

• Researcher talks & listen to the people being studied, even learning their language
• Usually, researchers must actually live in the field for an extended period of time, becoming an accepted member of the group.

-They must adopt their styles (of clothing, language & food)

Question 4

List 1 advantage of Field Research.

Answer 4

It reveals the full depth, richness & complexity of social life by
allowing the researcher to develop a feel for the total life situation of the people they study.

Question 5

List 1 disadvantage of Field Research.

Answer 5

It is labour-intensive and time-consuming. It may involve spending several weeks, even months in the field.