Lecture 3 - Participant Observation PDF

Participant Observation Department of Government  Today’s Lecture Participant Observation and Ethnography Access to setting Overt or covert Role of the Observer Field Notes Department of Government  Observation Participant...

Participant Observation Department of Government  Today’s Lecture Participant Observation and Ethnography Access to setting Overt or covert Role of the Observer Field Notes Department of Government  Observation Participant observation is unstructured in nature and involves the person being inside the research setting Structured observation is usually non- participant and takes place in a laboratory or other controlled type of setting where the researcher is external to the setting. Department of Government  Participant Observation Participant observation has been defined as a process in which an investigator establishes a many sided and relatively long-term relationship with a human association in its natural setting for the purpose of developing a scientific understanding of the association Loftland and Loftland, 1984 Participant observation means immersion in a community, a cohort, a locale, or a cluster of related subject positions. That is, ethnography is more than just in- depth interviewing or visiting a given field site for an extended period, although it likely involves such activities. Rather, the researcher pays attention to not only specific questions the researcher seeks to answer but also immerses herself in the broader meaning-laden context in which her interlocutors live. Schwedler et al., 2018 Department of Government For what types of political research topics might participant observation be the most useful research method. https://www.menti.com/alah5hemp1ia Department of Government  Richard Fenno, Home Style Gold standard for participant observation research in political science (see Gillespie and Michelson, 2011) How does an elected representative's view of his/her constituency affect his or her political behavior? The book demonstrated that members of the US Congress adopt a "home style" to help them secure re-election, which in turn makes attainment of the other goals possible. Department of Government  Unstructured Observation Sarantakos: 222 Employs a flexible design Is participant observation Employs a low level of standardisation Focuses on the whole setting Works in a natural setting Studies small and large groups Is an informal observation Is unobtrusive Can be direct or indirect Qualitative in design Department of Government  Research Design Do not enter the field without a clear and explicit understanding of what is being studied Topic and unit (who and what about them) Observer or participant (see later) Time and duration of research Place Skills of observer. Department of Government Observer Skills (Sarantakos: 226) General ability in terms of perception and memory Knowledge of field of research and specific topic Previous experience of other research and/or observation Ability to handle difficult/crisis situations Flexibility and adaptability Respect for boundaries between the observed and the observer Ability to get along with others Ability to follow instructions Ability to control personal biases and ideologies Honesty and trustworthiness Awareness and respect for ethical standards Department of Government  Access Step one in any participant observation must be gaining access to the setting of the research problem – Open setting: research in the community, hooligans, etc – Closed: company, political party, public sector organisation – Distinction is sometimes referred to as public and not-public Department of Government Overt or Covert Observation (see Bryman, Chapter 18) Covert role: do not disclose that you are the researcher Raises VERY SERIOUS ethical issues including that it is not possible to achieve informed consent. No problem of access Reactivity is reduced but How do you take notes (record?) No opportunity to use other methods Anxiety Overt role: researchers presence is known. Department of Government  Role of the Observer – Complete participant: researcher conceals role – Observer as participant: role of researcher is known – Participant as observer: observation role secondary to participant role – Complete observer: researcher observes without participating Department of Government  Data Collection Ethnography is a disciplined data collection method. Continuous Observation: observation is continuous. Observer records events for the entire duration of the event. Time-point observation: observation is centred around a particular time (The effect of pub closing time on the A&E admissions). Time-interval observation: observation focuses on what happens between two points in time. Event Observation: observation is focusing on particular behaviours that arise as a result of an event. Usually involves other forms of data collection: interviews, documents, etc Online ethnography or netnography (Kozinets, 2010) Department of Government  Field Notes, see Bryman (Chapter 18) Take notes immediately, however brief Write up full field notes at the end of every day Recording is used much more widely because of smart phones and transcription aps such as Otter Photos and video recordings Notes should be detailed and clear. More is better. Emotions and reactions Initial analysis should be included as well as description. Notes/recordings can then be mined for patterns, events, etc. Causal inference is uncommon through ethnography but deep research insights can be provided. Department of Government  Ethics in Participant Observation Ethical approval is always required. In many cases, participant observation may require supervision arrangements (may vary by ethics oversight body). Obtaining consent is an important, and often complex, aspect of the process The researcher is directly interfering in the lives of the participants Is it justifiable to conceal your identity? Almost always, the answer is no. What are you doing with the material? How will your presence affect the participants? How will key informants be treated? Department of Government  Advantages and Disadvantages Transparency does not sit easily Researcher has a firsthand with ethnography (Schwedler et experience with al., 2018) participants Researcher may be seen as Researcher can record intrusive “Private” information may be information as it is observed that the researcher revealed cannot report Unusual aspects can be Researcher may not have good noticed during observation attending and observing skills Useful in exploring topics Certain participants (e.g., that may be uncomfortable children) may present problems in gaining rapport for participants to discuss Objectivity and going native Subjectivity and access Department of Government  Sources of Error Lack of ability on part of observers Observer inconsistency Observer bias Lack of knowledge Deception on the part of the observer Problems in recording or analysing the data Observer distortion Department of Government  Summary Points Participant observation can also be known as ethnography The process can be participant observation or non- participant. It can be overt or covert Access to the setting is of vital importance Key informants are essential but their impact of the direction of the research should be carefully controlled. Field notes must be carefully written and compiled Department of Government  Readings Clark et al. (2021) Bryman’s Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 18) Gillespie, A., & Michelson, M. R. (2011). Participant observation and the political scientist: Possibilities, priorities, and practicalities. PS: Political Science & Politics, 44(2), 261-265. Janesick, Valerie J. (1998) Stretching exercises for qualitative researchers. Sage Publications. Spradley, James P (1980) Participant observation. Italiana Tecnico- Economica del Cemento. Schöne, Helmar. (2003) Participant observation in political science: Methodological reflection and field report. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 4, No. 2). Schwedler, J. M., Simmons, E., & Smith, N. (2019). Ethnography and participant observation. American Political Science Association Organized Section for Qualitative and Multi-Method Research, Qualitative Transparency Deliberations, Working Group Final Reports, Report III, 3. Jorgensen, Danny L. (1989) Participant observation : a methodology for human studies. Sage. Department of Government