SOC2002: Sociological Analysis and Research Methods LECTURE 10: Data Collection (5) Ethnographic and observational methods Lecturer: Bonnie Green [email_address]

LECTURE 10: Data Collection (5)

Ethnographic and observational methods

The research process: today… Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10 Reporting Topic/Object 1 2 3 4 5 6 LECTURES 5, 6, 7, 9 & 10 Research question Research design Data collection Data analysis Interpretation Literature review, and/or field reconnaissance Choosing indicators & Project Planning Ethics Quality

Data Collection (5): Overview Ethnography: What is it, and how is it linked to observational methodologies? Observational methods of data collection: Participant observation Use Practical aspects Bemtology Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Ethnography:

What is it, and how is it linked to observational methodologies?

Observational methods of data collection:

Participant observation

Use

Practical aspects

Bemtology

Ethnography: What is it? Definition: Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10 “ We see the term as referring primarily to a particular method or set of methods” involving “the ethnographer participating ... in people’s daily lives for an extended period of time , watching what happens, listening to what is said, asking questions - in fact collecting whatever data are available to throw light on the the issues that are the focus for research” (Hammersley and Atkinson, 1995: 1)

Definition:

Ethnography: What is it? Key features: Participatory The researcher participates in the day-to-day life of a community in order to understand some aspect of it But... Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Key features:

Participatory

The researcher participates in the day-to-day life of a community in order to understand some aspect of it

But...

What do we mean by participation? Collins (1984) Several ways of conceptualising participant observation Pearsall (1970): Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10 Complete observer Complete participant Observer-as-participant Participant-as-observer ethnocentrism ‘ going native’ the fruitful ‘middle ground’

Collins (1984)

Several ways of conceptualising participant observation

Pearsall (1970):

What do we mean by participation? Collins prefers the distinction between: Unobtrusive observation “ investigators want to observe the actions of others while disturbing those actions as little as possible” (Collins, 1984: 56) Participant comprehension “ he investigator him/herself should come to be able to act in the same way as the native members ‘as a matter of course’ ” ( Ibid. : 61) Contrasts them in terms of positivism and naturalism Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Collins prefers the distinction between:

Unobtrusive observation

“ investigators want to observe the actions of others while disturbing those actions as little as possible” (Collins, 1984: 56)

Participant comprehension

“ he investigator him/herself should come to be able to act in the same way as the native members ‘as a matter of course’ ” ( Ibid. : 61)

Contrasts them in terms of positivism and naturalism

Participation: Unobtrusive observation & participant comprehension Collins (1984): Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10 Where are you? Participant comprehension Unobtrusive observation Compromise positions Bonnie Green

Collins (1984):

Where are you?

Ethnography: What is it? Key features: Participatory Extended Traditionally, the data collection phases of ethnographic research takes place over weeks, months or years Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Key features:

Participatory

Extended

Traditionally, the data collection phases of ethnographic research takes place over weeks, months or years

Ethnography: What is it? Key features: Participatory Extended Multiple inputs: Watching, listening and asking questions Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Key features:

Participatory

Extended

Multiple inputs:

Watching, listening and asking questions

Ethnography: What is it? Key features: Participatory Extended Multiple inputs: Multiple data types: Documentary, audio-visual, artefactual, experiential Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Key features:

Participatory

Extended

Multiple inputs:

Multiple data types:

Documentary, audio-visual, artefactual, experiential

Data Collection (5): Overview Ethnography: What is it, and how is it linked to observational methodologies? Observational methods of data collection: Participant observation Use Practical aspects Bemtology Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Ethnography:

What is it, and how is it linked to observational methodologies?

Observational methods of data collection:

Participant observation

Use

Practical aspects

Bemtology

Practical aspects of participant observation What is it like to be a ‘participant observer’? How do I gain access to the field? What do I do when I get there? How do I record my data? Fieldnotes and audio-visual records Subjective diaries How do I end the observation? Leaving the field Communicative validation Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

What is it like to be a ‘participant observer’?

How do I gain access to the field?

What do I do when I get there?

How do I record my data?

Fieldnotes and audio-visual records

Subjective diaries

How do I end the observation?

Leaving the field

Communicative validation

Data Collection (5): Summary Ethnography: A data collection method which involves extended participant observation in a community of interest Involves the collection of multi-modal data by watching, listening and asking questions Practical considerations in participant observation: ‘ Being there’, access, recording, subjectivity Friday January 18th 2008 SOC2002: Sociological Analysis & Research Methods Lecture 10

Ethnography:

A data collection method which involves extended participant observation in a community of interest

Involves the collection of multi-modal data by watching, listening and asking questions

Practical considerations in participant observation:

‘ Being there’, access, recording, subjectivity