THEORY AND METHODS: Studies and sociologists

Question 1

PRACTICAL
Polsky
- What practical factor
- What happened

Answer 1

• Character skills

- Was a good pool player, and so found this skill useful in gaining entry to the world of the poolroom hustler

Question 2

PRACTICAL
Patrick
- What practical factor
- What happened

Answer 2

• Connections
• Was able to join a Glasgow gang because he looked quite young and knew one of its members from having taught him in approved school

Question 3

PRACTICAL
Fairhurst
- What practical factor
- What happened

Answer 3

• Opportunity

- Was hospitalised by back trouble and used the opportunity to conduct a study on being a patient

Question 4

PRACTICAL
Thornton
- What practical issue
- What happened

Answer 4

• Character skills
• Was slowly ranging out of the peer group she was studying, and as a Canadian investigating the British clubs and raves, she was much like a stranger.

Question 5

PRACTICAL
Liebow
- What practical factor
- What happened

Answer 5

• Character skills

- Was actually able to gain the trust and acceptance of a black street corner gang

Question 6

PRACTICAL / ETHICAL?
Griffin
- What practical factor
- What happened

Answer 6

• Character skills
• Was a white man who used medication and UV lamps to change his skin colour and pass as black.
  He used his new appearance to investigate the impact of white racism

Question 7

PRACTICAL
Punch
- What practical issue
- What happened

Answer 7

• ‘Going native’ - over-identifying with a particular group
• in striving to be accepted by the Amsterdam police group he was studying, he over-identified with them, even acting as a ‘policeman’ himself - chasing and holding suspects, searching houses cars and people
• This makes them biased and no longer a researcher, just a member of that group