Participant Observation

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1 Participant Observation Jana Rückert-John 1

2 Agenda William F. Whyte Street Corner Society Participant observation a first definition Ethnography and observations When to use observations Advantages and disadvantages of participant observation Participant observation problems How to do a participant observation? 2

First Examples William Foote Whyte Pioneer in participant observation (1914-2000) Street Corner Society.

3 First Examples William Foote Whyte Pioneer in participant observation ( ) Street Corner Society. The social structure of an Italian slum (1943) Aims The study Results Special features of the study Criticism 3

4 Definition Participant observation is a method of data collection that attempts to understand the motives and meanings involved in people s behaviour from the point of view of the participant. Naturalistic method Interactionist perspective 4

5 Ethnography and Observation Social scientists do something extra with their observation: They write ethnographies ethno means folk graph derives from writing The pioneers of ethnography were anthropologists (19 th century) 5

6 The Ethnographic Focus 1. of tribes Malinowski (1922): Trobriand Islanders in the Western Pacific Mary Douglas s ( ) work on a central African tribe 2. of subcultures Chicago School (1930s) Robert Park, Ernest Burgess 3. of the public realm Goffman s (1950s) study of the Shetland Islanders 4. of organisations Goffman s (1961) book Asylum 6

7 Aims of observational research 1. Seeing through the eyes of people being studied 2. Description of mundane details 3. Contextualism: social and historical context 4. Process of social life 5. Flexible research designs 6. Avoiding early use of theories and concepts Source: Bryman, A

8 When to use observations Types of information for which observations are a good source Setting Human, social environment Nonverbal communication Native language Notable non-occurrences 8

9 Gaining Access Two kinds of research setting: 1. closed or private settings 2. open or public settings Two kind of research access: 1. Overt participants aware of researcher s intensions 2. Covert researcher s identity not disclosed Most ethnography is overt But blurred boundary between overt and covert roles What is my identity in the field? 9

10 The roles of observer 10 Full participant and identification Full participation, no possibility for scientifically detached observation Participant as observer Primary participant, secondary observer ( going native ) Observer as participant Missing identification Outside observer or spectator Give up the role of participant Problem of misunderstanding Role conflict of the researcher between Participant and Observer Source: Gold, R. L. (1958)

11 The covert role of observer Advantages Obviates the need to negotiate access Reactivity is not a problem Disadvantages Practical difficulties in taking notes Cannot use other methods Anxiety about blowing your cover Ethical problems (deception) 11

12 Access to closed settings (overt role) negotiating access requires strategic planning, hard work and dumb luck (Van Maanen & Kolb, 1985: 11) use friends, colleagues and contacts to help you get support from sponsors within the group gain clearance from higher level gatekeepers offer something in return (e.g. a report) be clear and honest about your aims and methods 12

13 Access to open settings (overt role) Problem: hostility and distrust from members are possible Key informants (sponsor/gatekeeper) e.g. Whyte (1981) Doc Hanging around practice a normal behaviour 13

14 Behaviour of the observer Try not to influence the field by your observation Observe correctly and perceive in an undistorted manner Behave so, that a further observation is possible (no exclusion) Preserve your acceptance in the observation field Practice an ordinary (normal) behaviour: a mix of conformity and nonconformity 14

15 Advantages of participant observation A rich source of high-quality information Researcher can understand the social pressures / influences / group norms Flexible approach, researcher does not pre-judge the issue Formulate and test hypotheses Research produces a depth of detailed information 15

16 Disadvantages of participant observation Researcher has to learn the culture of a group. It is not always easy or possible. Restricted to small-scale studies; carried out over a long time period No representativeness and generalisation Problems of access to all levels of a group Great deal of skill and commitment from the researcher 16

17 Recording observational data Write down notes as soon as possible after events (memory protocols) Write up full notes at the end of every day ( field diary ) Detailed descriptions Gradually narrow your focus Dictaphone can be less obtrusive Types of field notes Mental notes Written notes 17

18 Example: Organic supermarkets 18

19 Example: Organic supermarkets Students project: participant observation in organic supermarkets Context of the project Research question Research process Development of an observation schedule Carry out the observation Analysing and results 19

20 Example: Organic supermarkets Observation field: The location, the social space of observation Organic and conventional supermarkets Observation units: are social situations or in general objects of the observation Observation field, notice ability of the store, presentations of products, quality and quantity of products, clients Observation schedule: Is the plan, which says what, how and where will be observed by the observer See extra paper! 20

21 Example: Organic supermarkets Recording observations Do not use electronic recording equipment! Field notes: Simulation of a small shopping list for the notes Write down notes as soon as possible after events Analysing Intra-case analysis Cross-case analysis (based on rating scales) 21

22 Some results of the study Observation field Appearance of the store Quality of products Presentation of products Clients 22

23 Disadvantages and advantages of the study It s more a structured observation. The potential of a qualitative observation was not exploited. But: The study generated some interesting questions for further research. 23

24 Literature Bryman, A. (2004): Social Research Methods. Second Edition. Oxford University Press. Chapter 14. Whyte, W. (1981): Street Corner Society. Third Edition. University of Chicago Press. Silverman, D. (2001): Interpreting Qualitative Data. Methods for Analysing Talk, Text and Interaction. Second Edition. Sage Publications. Chapter 3. Gold, R. L. (1958): Roles in Sociological Fieldwork, Social Forces, 36: Malinowski, B. (1922): Argonauts of the Western Pacific. Douglas, M. (1963): The Lele of Kasai. London: Oxford University Press. Park, R.; McKenzie, R. D.; Burgess, E. (1925): The City: Suggestions for the Study of Human Nature in the Urban Environment. University of Chicago Press. Goffman, E. (1953): Communication conduct in an island community. Goffman, E. (1956): The presentation of self in everyday life. University of Edinburgh Social Sciences Research Centre. (dt. Wir alle spielen Theater) Goffman, E. (1961): Asylums. Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates. New York, Doubleday. Van Maanen, J.; Kolb, D. (1985): The Professional Apprentice: Observations on Fieldwork Roles in two Organisational Settings, Research in the Sociology of Organisations, 4: Giulianotti, R. (1995): Participant Observation and Research into Football Hooliganism: Reflections on the Problems of Entrée and Everyday Risks, Sociology of Sport Journal, 12:

Principles of Sociology

Principles of Sociology DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS ATHENS UNIVERSITY OF ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS [Academic year 2017/18, FALL SEMESTER] Lecturer: Dimitris Lallas Principles of Sociology 4th Session Sociological