Question 1

When determining the scale of an ethnographic project, researchers must consider the time, resources, and energy available to them.

Accepted Answer

Fieldwork can take a long amount of time and require a great deal of emotional energy and other resources.

Question 2

Street Corner Society by Whyte demonstrates the importance of the relationship between a researcher and a key informant.

Accepted Answer

Whyte's key informant, Doc, was an important aspect of why the work was successful and later renowned.

Question 3

One advantage of unsolicited informants is that the information provided is more spontaneous and natural.

Accepted Answer

Study participants can sometimes steer the researcher towards what they think the researcher wants to see, whereas unsolicited informants provided information in the moment.

Question 4

In the participant-as-observer role, the researcher is mainly an interviewer and observer and only participates minimally.

Accepted Answer

In a Participant-as-observer research role, the researcher participates actively with the people being studied.

Question 5

In complete participant and complete observer roles, the people being observed are aware that they are part of a research study.

Accepted Answer

It is likely that in both these roles participants do not know the status of the researcher.

Question 6

One drawback of complete participation or participant-as-observer is that there could be too much distance between the researcher and the people being studied, which could thwart understanding.

Accepted Answer

Distance is problematic for complete observers and observers-as-participants.
Section: Figure 10.1; Balancing Participation and Observation

Question 7

In order to earn the trust of the people being observed, researchers must engage in the activities of the group, even if they are illegal or dangerous.

Accepted Answer

There is a lot of pressure to do this at times, but researchers should resist doing something dangerous or illegal.

Question 8

Field notes are the primary source of data for participant observation research.

Accepted Answer

Field notes are the account of the time spent in the field and the rich descriptions are what is analysed.

Question 9

Most researchers use extensive hidden recording equipment to take field notes so that they do not distract from the interactions.

Accepted Answer

Most researchers use a notepad and a pencil and write notes after interactions.

Question 10

It is customary for the researcher to include themselves and their thoughts and feelings in the field notes.

Accepted Answer

Researchers should record what they experienced and what they witnesses, as well as their response.

Question 11

Kleinman and Copp argue that ethnographer's reflections, opinions, and feelings should be kept separate from their observations in order to prevent the distortion of the data and biasing the results.

Accepted Answer

They argue that it is not possible to be immersed in the setting without also bringing in the researcher's perspectives, histories, and feelings.

Question 12

Visual ethnographies focus on the same aspects of social life as traditional ethnography.

Accepted Answer

Traditional ethnography is focused on interactions, words, and physical spaces, whereas visual ethnography has to do with visual texts made by the participants.

Question 13

Institutional ethnography was developed by Dorothy Smith in order to explore how institutional discourses relate to people's every day experiences.

Accepted Answer

Smith developed this in order to analyse how institutions impact the individuals involved in them.

Question 14

Autoethnographers embrace the ideal of research as neutral and objective.

Accepted Answer

They reject this idea and instead focus on the ideal of reflexivity.

Question 15

Desmond argues that entering the field is more difficult than leaving it.

Accepted Answer

He argues the opposite. Knowing when to stop and exiting the field in a good way is a challenge.

Question 16

How are participant observation and ethnography different from each other? What do they share in common?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

What does it mean to approach ethnography as a sensibility?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

What are the advantages and the challenges of participant observation?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

What advice would you give a researcher about the best way to choose their site for a participant observation study?

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Compare and contrast open and closed research settings. What are the advantages and limitations of each? Provide an example of each type of setting.

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 10: How Can Researchers Study the Patterns of Peoples Lives Participant Observation and Ethnography