Field Research - Welcome to SIUE研究领域——欢迎SIUE.pptVIP

Field Research Appropriate Topics: Is “satisfaction” appropriate to study via field research? Are group dynamics appropriate? How do you know whether a topic is appropriate? (public responsibility) Observer Roles Ethical dilemmas Methodological concerns (going native; changing environment) Roles: Complete participant Participant as observer Observer as participant Complete observer The Field Gaining Entrance Informant – Don’t trust everything you’re told, ie. If everyone hates a person, why. Staying “neutral” Sampling Which group are you studying? The whole organization; one department; one clique within a department. Be specific who you are studying. Quota Snowball Deviant Purposive When are you making observations? Are you only observing workers on certain days? How might that affect your conclusions? Gaining More Detail: Interviews and Surveys 1) Structured or Unstructured Interviews Keep your viewpoint out. Use Probes 2) Surveys Field Notes or Journal You CANNOT correctly complete field research without contemplating your interactions through journals!!!!!! Field notes should detail what you “KNOW” and what you “THINK” Journal The Journal is NOT a log of what you did but a critical analysis of observations about: Relationships (who interacts with whom--race, gender, age, smoking habits, status, class, job description, etc). Job Tasks (why do certain groups do certain tasks. What are the meanings of those tasks. What “subtext” exists underneath the job descriptions. Power (who has power over who and why. Race, gender, class, religion, etc). How do people in power act differently or the same as others. Why? Space (How is the organization physically structured. How does that affect interactions? OTHER SOCIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT INFORMATION When to Take Notes Buy a small notebook and pen and keep it handy Scribble down something to remind you of interesting observations during your research time. When you get home, type in the observations. Try to