1. Foundations of Sociological Inquiry Doing Qualitative Field Research

2. Today’s Objectives  An Example  Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Observe  Record  Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research  Questions?

3. If I want to observe what is going on in Sociology 300, I should sit: 1. In the back 2. In the middle 3. In the front 4. I don’t know

4. If I want to develop rapport with my subjects, I should: 1. Tell them everything I know 2. Talk clearly and loudly 3. Listen carefully 4. Try and be just like them

5. If I want to `blend in’ at the University of Washington, I should: 1. Get a tattoo 2. Play a sport 3. Drink coffee 4. Study hard 5. None of the above

6. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Roles of the Observer  Participant, Researcher, Observer

7. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Roles of the Observer  Participant, Researcher, Observer  Relations to Subjects  Objectivity  Alien / Martian  Reflexivity

8. Ethnography  a report on social life that focuses on detailed and accurate descriptions rather than explanations.

9. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Preparing for the Field  Be familiar with relevant research

10. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Preparing for the Field  Be familiar with relevant research  Discuss your plans with others in the area

11. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Preparing for the Field  Be familiar with relevant research  Discuss your plans with others in the area  Identify and meet informants (when appropriate)  First impressions are important  Establish rapport (an open and trusting relationship)

12. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Preparing for the Field  Be familiar with relevant research  Discuss your plans with others in the area  Identify and meet informants (when appropriate)  First impressions are important  Establish rapport (an open and trusting relationship)  Ethical considerations

13. Which of the following is FALSE regarding qualitative field research? 1. Field research is well suited to studying social processes over time. 2. Field research is well suited to studying behaviors within their natural setting. 3. Field research is well suited to studying attitudes within their natural setting. 4. Field research is well suited for quantitative analysis.

15. Stop Train Stop is an example of: 1. A cultural critique 2. A sociological study 3. A children’s book

16. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Recording Observations  Take detailed notes, but balance with observations

17. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Recording Observations  Take detailed notes, but balance with observations  Rewrite notes with observations soon after observations with filled in details

18. Conducting Qualitative Field Research  Recording Observations  Take detailed notes, but balance with observations  Rewrite notes with observations soon after observations with filled in details  Record everything

19. Among the advantages of field research is(are) that it 1. yields precise descriptive statements about a large population. 2. involves the uniform application of precise operational definitions. 3. allows for the modification of research design. 4. produces definitive conclusions. 5. is an extremely reliable technique.

21. Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research  Strengths of Qualitative Field Research  Effective for studying subtle nuances in attitudes and behaviors and social processes over time  Flexibility  Inexpensive

22. Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research  Strengths of Qualitative Field Research  Effective for studying subtle nuances in attitudes and behaviors and social processes over time  Flexibility  Inexpensive  Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research  No appropriate statistical analyses

23. Which of the following is FALSE regarding qualitative field research? 1. Field research is well suited to studying social processes over time. 2. Field research is well suited to studying behaviors within their natural setting. 3. Field research is well suited to studying attitudes within their natural setting. 4. Field research is well suited for quantitative analysis.

24. Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field Research  Validity  Greater validity than survey and experimental measurements  Reliability  Potential problems with reliability

25. Harry, an ethnographer, lived among the homeless in Queens, New York, for a year, and has recently written a book on his observations. Based on his experiences that the homeless took care of each other in Queens, he concludes 1. ecological fallacy. 2. individual fallacy. 3. group fallacy. 4. aggregate fallacy. 5. ethnographic fallacy. that homeless people will take care of one another. In stating that conclusion, Harry has committed the

26. Questions?