Foundations of Sociological Inquiry
Doing Qualitative Field Research
Today’s Objectives


An Example
Conducting Qualitative Field Research




Observe
Record
Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field
Research
Questions?
If I want to observe what is going on in
Sociology 300, I should sit:
1.
2.
3.
4.
In the back
In the middle
In the front
I don’t know
83%
14%
3%
1
2
3
0%
4
If I want to develop rapport with my
subjects, I should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Tell them
everything I know
Talk clearly and
loudly
Listen carefully
Try and be just like
them
53%
25%
10%
1
12%
2
3
4
If I want to `blend in’ at the University of
Washington, I should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Get a tattoo
Play a sport
Drink coffee
Study hard
None of the above
39%
31%
25%
4%
1%
1
2
3
4
5
Conducting Qualitative Field Research

Roles of the Observer

Participant, Researcher, Observer
Conducting Qualitative Field Research

Roles of the Observer


Participant, Researcher, Observer
Relations to Subjects



Objectivity
Alien / Martian
Reflexivity
Ethnography

a report on social life that focuses on detailed and
accurate descriptions rather than explanations.
Conducting Qualitative Field Research

Preparing for the Field

Be familiar with relevant research
Conducting Qualitative Field Research

Preparing for the Field


Be familiar with relevant research
Discuss your plans with others in the area
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)
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
Which of the following is FALSE regarding
qualitative field research?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Field research is well suited
to studying social processes
over time.
Field research is well suited
to studying behaviors within
their natural setting.
Field research is well suited
to studying attitudes within
their natural setting.
Field research is well suited
for quantitative analysis.
58%
23%
13%
6%
1
2
3
4
Stop Train Stop is an example of:
1.
2.
3.
A cultural critique
A sociological
study
A children’s book
60%
25%
15%
1
2
3
Conducting Qualitative Field Research

Recording Observations

Take detailed notes, but balance with observations
Conducting Qualitative Field Research

Recording Observations


Take detailed notes, but balance with observations
Rewrite notes with observations soon after observations
with filled in details
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
Among the advantages of field research is(are)
that it
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
yields precise descriptive
statements about a large
population.
involves the uniform
application of precise
operational definitions.
allows for the
modification of research
design.
produces definitive
conclusions.
is an extremely reliable
technique.
53%
25%
9%
5%
1
2
3
4
8%
5
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
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
Which of the following is FALSE regarding
qualitative field research?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Field research is well suited
to studying social processes
over time.
Field research is well suited
to studying behaviors within
their natural setting.
Field research is well suited
to studying attitudes within
their natural setting.
Field research is well suited
for quantitative analysis.
67%
33%
0%
1
0%
2
3
4
Strengths and Weaknesses of Qualitative Field
Research

Validity


Greater validity than survey and experimental
measurements
Reliability

Potential problems with reliability
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
that homeless people will take
care of one another. In stating
that conclusion, Harry has
committed the
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
ecological fallacy.
individual fallacy.
group fallacy.
aggregate fallacy.
ethnographic fallacy.
Questions?