Field Research Flashcards
What are the two main points?
- Flexible way of discovering and describing patterns of social life in a natural setting
- Understand group members’ point of view
Main Paradigms of field research?
- Grounded theory
- Extended case method
- Institutional ethnography
Grounded theory?
Inductive approach- using previous theories to understand a given phenomenon
Extended case method?
Go into field with theory and fill in gaps
Institutional ethnography
Discover broader institutional structural reasons as to how a particular group is discriminated against (ex)
How do you prepare for the field? (4)
- Background investigation (formulate Q, prepare what you’re going to focus on)
- Build memory, practice taking notes
- Adjust mindset, don’t go in with rep-conceived ideas
- Select site
How do you start your research? (2)
- Gain access (identify gate keepers)
- Enter field (presentation of self important)
Once of the field? (4)
- Build and manage RS
- Normalise social research - build trust
- Small favours
- Allow yourself to be a novice
3 techniques?
- Participant observation
- Unstructured interviews
- Observe: physical space, people, interaction (verbal, non verbal)
Types of notes?
Inference notes : what you think happened
Analytic notes : think about theory
Methodological notes: ethics, techniques
Ethnographic fallacy?
Taking things at face value
Ecological fallacy?
Whether environment resembles the real world
Member validation?
A way to ensure validity
Problem of provincialism?
Immersed in given phenomenon, you close your eyes to the theoretical framework
