Participant observation : a guide for fieldworkers

Bibliographic Information

Participant observation : a guide for fieldworkers

Kathleen M. DeWalt and Billie R. DeWalt

AltaMira Press, a division of Rowman & Littlefield, c2011

2nd ed

  • : pbk

Available at  / 7 libraries

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Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-264) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

Participant observation is the foundation of ethnographic research design and supports and complements other types of qualitative and quantitative data collection. Qualitative research in such diverse areas as anthropology, sociology, education, medicine draws on the insights gained through the use of participant observation. The authors have written a guide to the collection of systematic data in naturalistic settings - communities in many different cultures - to achieve an understanding of the most fundamental processes and patterns of social life. This book serves as a basic primer for the beginning researcher and as a useful reference and guide for experienced researchers in many fields who wish to reexamine their own skills and abilities in light of best practices of participant observation. This new edition includes discussions of participant observation in nontypical settings, such as the Internet, participant observation in applied research, and ethics of participant observation. It also explores in greater depth the use of computer-assisted analysis of textual data in issues of sampling and in linking method with theory.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. What is Participant Observation? Chapter 2. Learning to Be a Participant Observer Chapter 3. Doing Participant Observation: Becoming a Participant Chapter 4. The Costs of Participation: Culture Shock Chapter 5. Doing Participant Observation: Becoming an Observer Chapter 6. Gender and Sex Issues in Participant Observation Chapter 7. Designing Research with Participant Observation Chapter 8. Informal Interviewing in Participant Observation Chapter 9. Writing Field Notes Chapter 10. Analyzing Field Notes Chapter 11. Ethical Concerns in Participant Observation Chapter 12 Appendix: Sample Field Notes Chapter 13 Bibliography

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