Ethnography and participant observation
Is it okay to break the law in order to maintain a “cover”?
Yes, provided it is not very serious
No, never under any circumstances
Yes, because otherwise data on criminal activity would never come to light
Yes, provided it doesn’t cause physical harm to someone
No, never under any circumstances
Various reports on ethnographic research on football hooliganism and shady business practices, for example, are discussed by Bryman (pages 438-440), which show the risk and performance of criminal activity in order to maintain a covert role as an active participant. This does not justify breaking the law! A fervent ethical stance must be assumed by social researchers at all times, sometimes leaving no option but to avoid certain types of research project, including those focussed on criminal activities. It is never acceptable, under any circumstances, to break the law.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 440
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 440
No, never under any circumstances Various reports on ethnographic research on football hooliganism and shady business practices, for example, are discussed by Bryman (pages 438-440), which show the risk and performance of criminal activity in order to maintain a covert role as an active participant. This does not justify breaking the law! A fervent ethical stance must be assumed by social researchers at all times, sometimes leaving no option but to avoid certain types of research project, including those focussed on criminal activities. It is never acceptable, under any circumstances, to break the law.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 440
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 440
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What is the name of the role adopted by an ethnographer who joins in with the group’s activities but admits to being a researcher?A. Complete participant
B. Participant-as-observer
C. Observer-as-participant
D. Complete observer
Why does Stacey argue against the idea of a feminist ethnography?
A. Because it creates a non-exploitative relationship between the researcher and the researched
B. Because she fundamentally disagrees with all feminist principles
C. Because she thinks that the fieldwork relationship is inherently unequal
D. Because she does not think that ethnography is a useful research method
What is the difference between “scratch notes” and “full field notes”?
A. Scratch notes are just key words and phrases, rather than lengthy descriptions
B. Full field notes are quicker and easier to write than scratch notes
C. Scratch notes are written at the end of the day rather than during key events
D. Full field notes do not involve the researcher scratching their head while thinking
What is one of the main disadvantages of using the covert role in ethnography?
A. It can be hard to gain access to the social group
B. It is difficult to take notes without arousing suspicion
C. The problem of reactivity: people may change their behaviour if they know they are being observed
D. It is usually too time consuming and expensive to be a realistic option
What is a key informant?
A. A group member who helps the ethnographer gain access to relevant people/events
B. A senior level member of the organisation who refuses to allow researchers into it
C. A participant who appears to be helpful but then blows the researcher’s cover
D. Someone who cuts keys to help the ethnographer gain access to a building
Which of the following is a component of ethnographic research?
A. Being immersed in a social group or setting
B. Participant observation, interviews, and/or documentary analysis
C. A written account of an ethnographic study
D. All of the above
What is meant by the term “going native”?
A. Doing ethnography as a participant observer
B. Accepting a job in an organization previously studied by the ethnographer
C. Trying to learn to speak a foreign language as well as a native speaker
D. Over identifying with the group and losing research perspective
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