CHAPTER SEVEN

PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AND CASE STUDIES

Participant Observation

Participant observation is the observation and participation in a group’s activities - in its natural setting.

It is also known as: ethnography, field studies, and/or the verstehen approach.

It is based on a grounded theory approach: an approach that develops a theory as data is collected as opposed to being predetermined.

A few examples of those who use participant observations include: researchers, journalists, and law enforcement.

Types of Participant Observation

Complete Participation – participation and manipulation, i.e., disguised observations.

Participant as Observer – an attempt to objectively observe activities of the group.

Observer as Participant – in-depth interviews.

Complete Observation – experimental and unobtrusive measures.

** Distinctions cannot always be made between unobtrusive studies, field studies, and participant as observer “types.”

Characteristics or “Qualities” of Participant Observation

Demands on time and personal cost (personal involvement).

The participant observer must be two dimensional, i.e., maintain objectivity despite becoming an insider.

Avoid over-socialization, i.e., “going native.” For example, police undercover operations.

Avoid over-identification with the study group and aversion to it, i.e., remain objective despite personal subjective bias – “don’t be judgmental.”

Procedures ofParticipant Observation

“There is no one and only method of participant observation.”

Recording methods: field notes/diaries, mnemonics, recordings, and photographs. Know when and where to do these activities – the primary objective is to observe and listen.Use with caution, rapport is more important that recording results, i.e., avoid questions and note taking – this makes people nervous and creates a disturbance within the group setting.

Know the jargon (“argot”) of the group to be studied in order to gain access. There is a variety of strategies to gain access, i.e., status and gatekeepers are possible sources.

Other Participant Observation Procedures (Cont’d)

Identify the true purpose of the study with the group – announcement of intentions.

Snowball sampling – develop subjects through introductions of former subjects, i.e., gatekeepers.

Reciprocity – mutual obligation, i.e., what is owed.

Other Participant Observation Procedures (Cont’d)

Protect individual identities if possible, i.e., pseudonyms or aliases.

Avoid criminal activity.

Validate Findings, i.e., interviews, police and legal officials, documents, and other case histories.

Some examples include: Skinheads, Idaho Christian Patriots, Underworld figures, motorcycle gangs, etc.

Discussion

Using Hamm’s Skinheads and

Jankowski’s gang studies

discuss some of the potential dangers as well as prospects of studying deviant groups

on their turf.

Advantages of Participant Observations

Sensitizing – “verstehen” strategy

Less prejudgments

Less disturbing as compared to an experimental design

Greater flexibility

An excellent means of obtaining detailed qualitative data

Natural setting

Disadvantages of Participant Observations

Time consuming

Expensive

Over-identification or dislike of the group being studied

Problem with gaining access and acceptance

Ethical dilemmas, i.e., privacy, illegal activities - criminality, confidentiality, and reciprocity

Observer bias or subjectivity

Yields non-quantitative data – an analytical issue

CASE STUDIES(Observer as Participant)

Case studies focus on single individuals, groups, or communities – a few illustrative cases

Case studies employ historical documents, oral histories, in-depth interviews, and participant observations.

Primary advantages: in-depth qualitative; view of one or a few subjects.

Primary disadvantages: Subjectivity, researcher bias, and cases that are atypical.

Question/Discussion

Of what importance have case studies been

in criminological/criminal justice research?

Explain

And,

Provide examples that have

used this approach.

Single-Subject Designs(Complete Observation)

Quantitative case studies that involve the longitudinal measurement of a dependent variable on a single subject, i.e., a time interval that utilizes a baseline period and a measurement period (Not the same as X’s and O’s with the traditional group design). Single subject intervention v. group study – more clinical.

More of a clinical approach and has a major problem with generalizability; however, replication is a possible solution.