Hunter. S. Thompson- Newest member of the Hells AngelsHells Angels

Observations

“I was no longer sure whether I was doing

research on the Hell’s Angels or being slowly absorbed by them.”

What is the key problem with using survey methods to study people?

What people Say and what they actually DO can be two completely different things.

How could you overcome this problem?Simply see for yourself what people really do by observing them in their

normal everyday environment. You would hope to get a ‘true’, more valid picture of social realty.

There are 4 types of observations, can you name them?

What is Ethnography?

It is the study of the way of life of a particular group of people- their culture and the structure of their society. Often researchers attempt to

‘walk a day in their shoes’.

In order to do the study, the researcher must gain entry into the group 1st. This can have many problems.

Can you think of them?

Making initial contact with the group may depend on personal skills, having the right connections, or even pure chance.

The researcher needs to win trust and gain acceptance. It may help to make friends with a KEY individual / informant that will help lead /

assist you into that group.

This is known as a gate keeper

Research Methods: Qualitative Analysis {Observations}

This is a COVERT

OBSERVATION

ParticipantInfiltrates the group. Becomes one of them. Joins daily activities. James Patrick, Glasgow gang

Non ParticipantObserving from the sidelines. ‘Fly on the wall’.(i.e. Laud Humphreys, Tea room trade)

Group does not know they are being observed

I love the tea room trade

What was the aim of his study?

Humphries did not participate in tea

room trade so how did he gain their trust?

What ethics did he breach?

How else could he have done this study?

Task: Read about ‘Tearoom sex study’

Research Methods: Qualitative Analysis {Observations}

OVERT OBSERVATION

Overt observation: Group aware they are being observed / studied

ParticipantResearcher participates in activities of the group(i.e., Lyng 1988: Extreme sports, Barker: making of the Moonies)

Non ParticipantWatch from the ‘sidelines’. Researcher does not get involved(i.e., Bain & Taylor: Call centre workers)

The Making of a Moonie: Choice or Brainwashing?

To believers, the Moonies offer enlightenment and the spiritual unification of the world.

But to critics, it’s an evil form of bondage, which preys on vulnerable young people.

Eileen Barker set out to discover the truth - do people choose to become Moonies or are they brainwashed - whilst exploring the

wider sociological issue of the relationship between the individual and society.

7 year study!

Verstehen

• Max Weber’s term for studying human behaviour

• German word for “to understand”, “to grasp by insight”.

Best interpreter of human action is “someone who has been there”.

Someone who can understand the feelings and motivations of people they are studying- having empathy

John Howard Griffin- ‘BLACK LIKE ME’ (1960)

Some researchers have gone to great lengths to pass as one of the group.

A white journalist dyed his skin Black in order to discover what it was like to live as a Black man in the Southern states of America in the 1950s.

He used medication and sun lamp treatments to colour his skin.

He worked as a shoe shiner, went to racially segregated diners, used segregated toilets and transport.

Even when he told his gatekeeper the truth he didn’t believe he was a white man.

Getting in is a problem……………(Teacher to Explain James Patricks study)

And, getting out is a problem

But staying in is also a problem………….

And, getting out is a massive problem

Guilty Knowledge

Hearing / seeing something you shouldn’t. What do you do with that information?

Moral dilemma???

Going Native

They have lost their objectivity and simply become a member of

the group (over identifying).

Research Methods: Primary methods{Conclusion}

Strenghts Weaknesses

ParticipantParticipant- Experience, gets a ‘real’ feel for what’s going on. Gets the real truth, can dig deep, dynamics can develop and it is useful when researching difficult areas. Non- Participant- Non- Participant- Bias, Less likely to be drawn into the group. Can record information better.

Covert- Covert- Forbidden Fruit, can enter forbidden areas, be fully accepted and trusted and generate a real sense of understanding. The group are more likely to act normal.

Overt- Overt- the ‘Confidante’, as someone who has no role, they are in the position of a trusted outsider and receive confidences from the members. Ethical reductions, open, clear and honest.

ParticipantParticipant- Protection, may start to build a relationship with members this has lead to bias researcher and protection in courts etc. Narrow research as too specific does not help with wider issues. Non- Participant- Non- Participant- Superficial, merely observing leaves the researcher on the outside and may limit understanding. Altering behaviour is also a problem.

Covert- Covert- Danger if true role is uncovered. Ethical dilemmas, could have to take part in illegal / immoral activity.

Overt- Overt- ‘Outsider’, in some circumstances only a trusted insider will be let into the secrets. At times, even the sympathetic outsider is excluded.