Participant Observation Essay

Participant Observation Essay
Naturally, I found that participant observation and interviews generated different types of information. Participant observation generated information,
outlined previously in the essay, that was subjective. Interviews, on the contrary, gave me a relatively in–depth insight into my informants' lives, these
insights will be explained later in the essay. Interviews allowed me to combine my informants' views with my own academic theories. Having multiple
sources of information further allowed me to answer my original question, 'Are public spaces fully public?'. This section of the essay is my
ethnography in its final form.вЂЁI first met Sarah during my initial participant observation. The library was quiet as it was a Tuesday, and, as it was my
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Interpretative Phenomenology : A Study Essay
Interpretative phenomenology is a method of reviewing how participants lived experiences help to understand a phenomenon in a study (Willig, 2001).
The structural findings that emerged from the protГ©gГ©s lived experiences are discussed along with their relationship to relevant literature Strayhorn
et al. (2008) conducted a study at an HBCU where the theoretical framework of Othermother emerged. According to the authors, the theory centered
around the vested interest that faculty and administrators took in developing relationships with their students. Through these relationships, the student
became like family to the participants of this study. So, I was motivated to see if the same level of care or motivation could be duplicated at a PWI
university in the South. Based on the findings of this study, several of the protГ©gГ©s did, in fact, indicate that the relationships they formed with
their mentors extended beyond just mentoring. Furthermore, several of them viewed their mentors as members of their family; like big brothers or a
substitute father. Keith, for instance, described his relationship with Dr. Bostic as "a father figure" who has been there for him in ways that his own
dad never was there to support him. Keith went on to share that Dr. Bostic told him on several occasions that he was personally vested in his success
at South University because he knows what it feels like to be an African American male on the campus of a PWI in the South. According to the data

Essay On Interpretive Reading
Interpretive reading is very important in many ways to the modern world. Interpretive reading which forms the larger part of the art of public reading
is fun, informative, challenging but needs some day to day strategies to be successful. (39 words)
First, it is important to conduct proper research on various materials available for presentation. Proper selection of the literature to be presented sets the
base for application of other strategies that will enhance the presentation. A properly selected literature identifies with the theme of the presentation, the
purpose of the presentation, the age bracket of the audience and the expected outcome of the presentation in terms of message delivery. Proper choice of
words and phrases forms the backbone of effective communication. This is a key characteristic in many speeches of the great orators and leaders
whose words will continue to reign over generations even after they are long gone. (109 words)
Good understanding of the item of presentation is...show more content...
It is important to know how to apply the skill in passing information. For example a supervisor in a company can apply a high tone when giving
instructions to the workers but will use a low tone in reporting to his manager. The tone of communication determines the level of control one has over
the other in communication. It brings out the inner feelings of the speaker preparing the listener for appropriate response. It is important apply tonal
variation with ultimate care to avoid sending inconsistent signals while speaking. Tonal variation is an important aspect of modern presentation as it is
used to express different moods. It is from the tonal variation of a speaker through which the audience is able to identify whether he or she is happy or
unhappy with the issue under consideration. It gives meaning to the words used and helps the listener to understand different moods of people and
then respond accordingly. (167

Abstract
Qualitative data such as Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) are under constant scrutiny by Quantitative researchers looking for legitimacy.
Elliot et al., 1999, were able to provide this legitimacy by creating seven key guidelines; owning one's perspective, situating the sample, grounding in
examples, providing credibility checks, coherence, accomplishing general versus specific research tasks and resonating with the reader. Focus is given
to these guidelines throughout the review of the above– titled paper to highlight how these can be applied. The article focuses on the phenomenon,
anger, and the use of IPA to help understand this. The purposes of the article are to highlight how anger and other factors appear to
...show more content...
Fischer, C, T,. Rennie, D, L,. 1999). Elliot et al. (1999) were such researchers, who were successful in creating seven key guidelines that can be utilised
in any qualitative research. These guidelines are as follows, owning one's perspective, situating the sample, grounding in examples, providing
credibility checks, coherence, accomplishing general versus specific research tasks and resonating with the reader. Further detail will be discussed in
relation to these guidelines during the following evaluation. Attention will also be paid to how these guidelines can be applied to IPA analysis.
Main Body
The article, Understanding feelings of anger using IPA (Smith & Eatough, 2006), has two key focus areas. Firstly is the use of IPA. Secondly is the
understanding and interpretation of anger as experienced by the individual. Throughout the article, each section explains how the method, IPA is
utilised. The purpose of the article is "to illuminate how ..., anger, emotion–related feelings, thoughts and expressions appear to the individual" (Smith
& Eatough, 2006). They argued that emotions are more often than not, world– focused and proposed that a holistic approach was required to fully
understand this phenomenon. This was studied as a single sample, case study. Data was analysed using IPA with results showing anger

Self Interpretive Essay
Anne Riley Laid Off: One of the most interesting topics covered in class for me was that of emotions and moods. I have a hard time understanding
when and how to express my emotions. This has been a real problem for me in all of my relationships, both professional and personal. Though I have
never been laid off I feel I relate to the case of Anne Riley to some degree. Anne was able to better understand and recognize her emotions and in the
long run benefited from that knowledge. The case begins with Anne Riley meeting with a recruiter from Goldman Sachs' Private Equity Group. She is
hoping that this interview will eventually pay off with a permanent job upon her graduation. Throughout the case many descriptive words were used so
The case describes her determination and hard work. Raised by her mother Anne began earning her own money at the age of 15. Anne was the
first in her family to attend college and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree with a focus in finance. She understood from a young age that
work offered a direct payoff; the harder she worked the bigger her reward in the end. Anne, like me, had goals for her life. She had a direction and
path she wanted to follow and knew what she had to do to get there. She had chosen a career in private equity and knew that a person with these
aspirations spent a few years after college working and moving up within a firm before attending school. Anne was offered a position with Storrow
after a rough interview process. Anne soon relocated to a new city leaving her family, friends, and life behind her in New York. Being confident in
her goals and plans Anne found a nice apartment, furnished it, and began a small family (adopted a dog). Like Anne, I too relocated to a new city
in order to pursue my current job. I moved quickly leaving behind friends and relationships I had come to cherish. I moved into an apartment with
my small family not knowing the area or anyone near us. I too felt confident in myself and knew I would be here for a while moving up in my career. I
have invested in my education because I know that if I aspire to provide for my family I will need an education. I also will

Theories are categorized as either interpretive or objective. A better understanding is the purpose of interpretive theories explored through text or
speech. Interpretive theories are apparent when looking at texts, meanings, value, and culture. Opposite of this is the objective theory, which seeks
accuracy. A more in depth look of objective theories will be discussed based on several scientific standards: explanation of the data, prediction of future
events, relative simplicity, hypotheses that can be tested, practical utility and quantitative research are the scientific standards. Objectivity is observed
through variables, predictions, surveys, experiments, and controlled settings. Although the listed objective standards are important, the qualitative
research portion is the most valuable.
Quantitative research is needed for the first scientific standard to exist, which is the explanation of the data. In the scientific community, quantitative
research corresponding to numbers is far more dependable than words. For instance, precision in numbers is needed in order to measure frequency. In
addition, we use numbers to measure time whether it be days, weeks, months or years. Numbers are crucial is measuring time, distance, money, weight,
and so on. Correspondingly, with numbers being very precise, there is less room for the researcher to be subjective. Numbers tend to show truth within
experiments and surveys and can somehow measure success and failures through

The constructivist–interpretative paradigm states that reality is constructed through interactions between a researcher and the research subject.
According to Smith (2008), "[s]cientific knowledge can be created by virtual experience and conversations" (p. 102). Berger directly went into the
Northern communities and spoke to many people about the Pipeline project. The indigenous people interviewed stated to Berger, how theMackenzie
Valley Pipelinewould personally affect them; this is an example of a micro level of analysis, which is the ontology of this paradigm. The Inquiry
focuses on individual counts of the pipeline rather then the whole community. Other paradigms, for example the critical paradigm, focus on how
oppressed groups have...show more content...
21). Any claims that are made outside of what has been said to Berger are not reality. According to Travers (2010), "there is no material reality that
exists outside of interpretation to be accurately described (p. 22). Hearing only from the people who are living in the North or the corporations that are
planning to build the pipeline is problematic. For example, specialist in drilling or the environmental specialists may have an insight that goes beyond
what is heard from the people impacted by the pipeline. Constructivist–interpretative epistemology states that research findings are constructed and are
not discovered (Travers, 2010, p. 23). The indigenous peoples and other people living in the North have a personal view of the pipeline project and
their view is seen as reality. For instance, Richard Nerysoo in the Inquiry describes how he feels the pipeline would bring to the people to the North.
Berger (1988) quotes Richard Nerysoo, "[t]he pipeline means more [white people] who will be followed by even more white people. White people
bring their language, their political system, their economy, their schools, their culture. They push the Indian aside and take over everything" (p. 188).
The researcher is going to take what was said and interpret the evidence. Constructivist–interpretative methodology is an important component of this
paradigm. According to Travers (2010) this "approach examines how people

This is a qualitative case study conducted under an interpretive research paradigm. From an ontological perspective, unlike the position of the positivist
paradigm in which there is the belief that there is only one truth and that objective reality does exist independent of human perception, this study
employs the constructivist view of reality and the essence of phenomenon. The constructivists view truth as relative and dependent on one's perspective.
This paradigm "recognises the importance of the subjective human creation of meaning, but doesn't reject outright some notion of objectivity"
(Crabtree & Miller, 1999, p. 10). This study concurs with constructivists in that subjectivity is an inevitable part of our endeavour to understand a
phenomenon, and reality is constructed and reconstructed through the process of human and social interaction (Mackenzie & Knipe, 2006). In my
case, participants' subjectivities are an inevitable part of my endeavour to understand the issues of the construction of teachers' professional identity,
which my research focuses on. With regard to the aims of this study, as mentioned earlier, I believe that understanding can be drawn from a deep and
careful analysis of participants' biographies, their schooling and teacher training experiences, and their everyday teaching practicum experiences.
Participants' experiences were gathered from various methods of data collection (which will be described in section 5.4), and analysis was conducted to

Andrew E. Hill Interpretive Pitfalls
Though approaching the Old Testament with sound mind and pure heart, the reader may inadvertently fall into "interpretive pitfalls". According to A
Survey of the Old Testament, by Andrew E. Hill, some of these pitfalls include but aren't limited to: not understanding The Bible didn't come in
English, or through Western culture (17), not allowing the Bible to speak for itself (26), not recognizing presuppositions (26), or even ignoring the
author's message in favor of how the interpreter wants to use the text (27). Of these downfalls, ignoring the author's message must be the worst. To
ignore the message of the author means you have studied and properly understood the meaning of what you've read; however, you've chosen to
manipulate The Word

The Interpretive Approach For Communication
The Interpretive Approach to Communication In communication, there are three different approaches: social science, interpretive, and critical. All
three approaches differ greatly in their paradigms, or belief systems, on how the study of communication should be approached. Of the three
approaches, the Interpretive Approach is the one that suits me the best. Why you might ask? Simply put, it just makes sense. The interpretive
Approach, also referred to as the Humanistic Approach, is looking at communication through a system of thoughts that celebrate human nature and it's
potential. Simply put, this approach looks specifically at human nature as it pertains to a specific person, or specific group, as a whole rather than the
general consensus. As with the other methods, the Interpretive Approach has it's own assumptions, theories and methods, ethical issues, and strengths
and limitations. When studying communication, there are certain assumptions to be made. These assumptions vary depending on the paradigm that the
researcher is following. In the Interpretive Approach, the major assumption is that humans construct their own reality, and researchers must tap into
and understand that reality. This could not be truer, as everyone has their own perception of the world around them and reality in general. It is also
assumed that the focus will be on the communicator. The Interpretive Approach draws focus on the creativity of humans rather than our predictability.
Following the

Positivism vs Interpretivism Essay
Compare and contrast positivist and interpretive perspectives underpinning social research–
This essay intends to investigate by comparing and contrasting positivist and interpretive perspectives that surround social research. It will look into the
use of methods such as quantitative and qualitative research and the effects and outcomes that this has in relation to social research. This will include
the variations amongst them in both a positive and negative light.
Before research can be undertaken the researcher must investigate the various methodologies, methods, theoretical perspectives and philosophical bases
which surrounds the research. This will then enable researchers to use a wide variety of research methods in order to enhance...show more content...
'The individual is relegated to being nothing more than a system outcome, not a thinking and acting human' (Bryman, 2008)
A researcher looking into the use of positivist methodology would look into the use of methods such as: survey's, questionnaires and statistic models.
They aim to identify and measure social structures; this type of research can be seen by looking into the study of Durkheim's study of suicide with
which Durkheim was referred to as a positivist. He believed that sociological theories must invest beneath the surface of phenomena and find out the
hidden underlying causes behind behaviour. He claimed that sociology and its findings should be more than that of a speculation and that it should
support its claims with evidence and statistics, Including important factors which can impact on the data which has been found. This includes taking
into account hidden factors such as; economic depression, family mortality, and the slave trade all of which have impacted in this study on the rate
of suicide. (Alcock, Margaret, Rowlingson, 2008) These methods have however been heavily criticised as being a flawed area for social research as
they are seen to exclude significant issues in which it fails to address. (Beckett, 2006) This includes the failure of taking into account essential
characteristics of human behaviour and social life which is unable to

Purpose Of Interpretive Regulations
Interpretive regulations are rules issued by an agency to help clarify existing regulations and laws. Interpretive regulations do not create a new law or
change a regulation it just help understand the point of that statute better. They exist to help clarify or explain a statute or regulation. Interpretive rules
are simply a way of how agency understands the statute and their duties. Interpretive law cannot be used in a legal procedure its only there to remind
agencies of their

Example Of Interpretive Paradigm
5.2 Interpretive Paradigm The interpretive paradigm has its theoretical roots in hermeneutics, phenomenology and symbolic interactionism. The
qualitative research methodologies are based on interpretive research paradigm. This paradigm believes that we should conduct research to comprehend
social life and describe how people construct social meaning. It seeks to understand the meaning human actions and experiences and generate accounts
of those meanings from the perspective of the participants in the research. This approach to social science research rejects the positivist idea that the
research methods of physical sciences can be used in the social sciences to understand the human behaviour. Interpretivists argue that the fundamental
causes...show more content...
Thus, the reality as we know it is constructed through the meanings and understandings that we develop through our social experiences and
interactions. It believes that human beings are social beings who create meaning and constantly engage in making sense of their worlds. In order to
explain the social reality, Interpretivists describe how the meaning system of a group emerges and is sustained over time; and the theory contains
information that is detailed, situated in a context and involves minimal abstraction. Interpretivists consider the common sense as powerful everyday
theories that are useful in understanding people and are as much valid as science as they guide our daily lives. Interpretivists thus believe that good
evidence is one which is situated in the context of a person's social interactions, to which the meanings are assigned. Here, social dialogue is important
to generate findings and knowledge claims as it through the dialogue that conflicting interpretations emerge and negotiated between the community
members. It is through this dialectical process that we can have a better and sophisticated understanding of the social environment of the individuals.
So, it is important to foster a dialogue between the researcher and the

Euthyphro Interpretative Essay
Interpretive essay for Euthyphro
Euthyphro, a priest in Plato's dialogue, strives throughout the reading to teach his religion to Socrates. Since Euthyphro portrays himself to be the most
intelligent human to mankind, Socrates believes that he must know every words meaning and that guides Socrates to ask him about a word he is
curious about; piety. Piety is something he is very curious about and asks Euthyphro many questions about it.
Euthyphro gives five intricate versions of piety, but one of them is peculiar and brings to my attention. On page 7 line a, Euthyphro states that "what is
dear to the gods is pious, what is not is impious." This definition poses a valid argument and an invalid argument. The implications I gather from it is
that

Interpretive Essay
Is Liberate Art A Way of Life?
In many instances, individuals neglect to acknowledge the importance of school and a higher education. The individuals who view education as their
number one priority see staying in school is important. Why is it important? Is staying in school going to benefit the student/individual? In this essay, I
will explain why the literate arts are important and for what they are good. I will also give the opinions of others and what my views are. Richard
Miller, the writer of " The Dark Night of The Soul" writes, " I have these doubts, you see, doubts silently shared by many who spend their days teaching
others the liberate arts. Aside from gathering and analyzing information, aside from generating critiques and...show more content...
As I read, "The Dark Night of the Soul" by Richard E. Miller, I found it to be an interesting read. He inquires, why we read, why we write and what
might literate arts be said to be good for? In his essay he describes the school massacres that have occurred throughout the years. As he describes these
events, he asks a deeper question, "What is the point of continuing to read, write and learn in the face of such underlying dangers. I think that with all
that is happening, individuals/students should continue with education because reading, television, writing and communication makes a difference in
the lives of individuals around the world. The bottom line is that literary art has a way of touching students unexpectedly one way or another and
students should not just throw the art away because of society's perception.
Works Cited
Miller E., Richard. "The Dark Night of the Soul".Ways of Reading: An Anthology for
Writers. 9th. David Bartholomae & Anthony Petrosky. Boston: Bedford St. Martin's Press, 2010. 420–442. Print.
"Dead Air." The Ghost Whisperer. CBS. WWJ
–TV, New York City. 8 Jan. 2010.

Sociological Approach To Deviance Essay
Exploration into the social world embarks upon the various methods and functions that are responsible for constructing the concise understandings of
sociology. The concept of deviance configures into the sociological outlook through the emancipation of social control. Hence, the factors associated
with deviant objectives immerse among the ways in which sociology is conducted. The enormity of sociological concepts happens to be broken down
into three definite approaches, which allows the fundamentals to be processed via perspective. Deviance, then can be explained within these methods
to procure the effects that each form has on social contexts. Therefore, the approaches to sociology and the forms of deviance determine significant
elements in the societal atmosphere.
As sociologists divulge into the complexities of their studies, there engages a pattern of similarities among differing areas of sociology. By close
examination of the repetitive patterns, a specific method evolves for researching and understanding that category of societal contexts. Therefore, an
evolution of three different approaches were conducted in order to achieve the extent of information available in sociology. Strategic methods allowed
multiple perspectives to examine the same content while reaching various objectives, hence acquiring numerous solutions to a singular issue. With the
availability of a range of solutions came forth the sociological approaches: Positivist Sociology, Interpretive Sociology,

Interpretive Theory Compared to Objective Theory
Lindsey Corradino
June 9, 2013
Texas Tech University
Interpretative and Objective Theory
Introduction Understanding the differences and similarities of interpretive and objective theory approaches is key to further expand one's knowledge
of communication studies. Author of A First Look at Communication Theory Em Griffin, describes interpretive theories as "the linguistic work of
assigning meaning or value to communicative texts; assumes that multiple meanings or truths are possible" (Griffin, p.15). He also defines objective
theory as "the assumption that truth is singular and is accessible through unbiased sensory observation; committed to uncovering cause–and–effect
Standard 4 creates a community of agreement, meaning that interpretive theory must be supported by other scholars, and must also become the subject
of widespread analysis. Standard 5 is the reform of society, and critical interpreters are reformers who can have an impact of society and generate
change. The last standard is Standard 6, and states that interpretive research must contain qualitative research; interpretive scholars use words to
support their theories by the use of textual analysis and ethnography.
So as you can see, both theories contain specific characteristics that set them apart as two different approaches to better understand communication. It is
key to remember that objective uses quantitative research, while interpretive uses qualitative research because if you can understand what the two
different types of research are, you can easily remember all of the other standards because of what the research styles are made up of.
Theoretical Orientation There are two different types of orientations that a theory can be, objective, which uses quantitative data and believes in
singular truths, and there is interpretive, which uses qualitative data and believes in multiple meanings and truths. Different types of studies can fall
under each of the two approaches, and will be seen further into the course as specific studies and theories are mentioned and examined. Some studies
could be concluded as

The Interpretive Mode Of Communication Essay
2. Interpretive Mode of Communication Interpretive Communication is a mode that relies heavily on the media to relay its message. It is one–way
receptive communication that is received by listening, reading, or viewing advertisements. Children, the most impressionable of consumers, are highly
influenced by advertisements and its particular appeal to the subconscious. The use of specific colors and licensed characters are two marketing
strategies that food marketers employ. These strategies fall into this mode of communication and influence children's opinions about brands and
products. 2a. Color Theory Color theory is a visual and psychological concept that helps explain why certain products are chosen instead of those from
competing brands. McDonald's, a fast–food–chain that has spent $528.8 million in food marketing, has specifically catered products towards children
through the use of color. In research done by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, they noted "...the use of bright colors (on products) is commonly used for
children to associate the product with fun and games. As an example, McDonald's actively uses bright colors throughout their marketing campaign and
in their restaurants in order to promote and facilitate these emotional reactions among children" (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2007). Marketers,
much like McDonald 's, have realized that there is a science behind specific colors and desires/moods. For instance, the color red, which is used in a

Example Of Interpretative Phenomenology
This essay introduces interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative research approach, which has recently gained popularity in health
sciences (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). The paper will start with a research question associated with health in order to give an example of forming
a question in IPAresearch, and will be followed by introducing phenomenology in general and itВґs different approaches. Then, the key and the broad
characteristics of IPA will be explained and brief overview of data collection methods and analysis will be introduce. Finally justification of the
methodology and conclusions will be made.
My qualitative research question of IPA is "How do people make sense of their life with chronic neck pain after...show more content...
Descriptive (transcendental) phenomenology is a way of meaning–making by studying the phenomenon as it figures in consciousness (Giorgi, 1997).
Husserl thought that meaning–making is like a process where the consciousness starts to develop individual's reality (Smith et al., 2009). In order to
observe and describe individualВґs life world without advertently adding researcherВґs theories to findings, known facts and researcherВґs own views
must be bracketed (Giorgi, 1997; Koch 1995). Bracketing leads the researcher away from distractions and allows to concentrate on observed
phenomenon (Koch, 1995; Smith et al., 2009). However, it is argued whether it is possible to describe something without adding your own thoughts
and interpretation (Pringle, Drummond, McLafferty, & Hendry, 2011). In reality, it is difficult to study and observe something without making own

Participant Observation Essay

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Participant Observation Essay