Being An Outsider
Yes it is possible for a sociological researcher to be both an insider and an outsider when doing social research. Both being insider and outsider researcher have their own pros and cons. It depends on the research problem, how much depth should the researcher go to obtain the necessary information to give a fair justice on social issues. Some kinds of social problems can be studied as being outsider while some can be best studied by being there.
For instance anthropologist Elliot Liebow, he became the part of self conducted case study about homeless women living in emergency shelters. (pg. 53). Other example include, the sociologist Robert Lynd and Helen Lynd became members of the Munice society over a period of years to conduct ethnographic research …show more content…
Researcher becomes an accepted part of the environment.
Longitudinal/comparative studies are possible.
Best for qualitative data.
Unlike secondary analysis where the accuracy of some of the data is difficult to determine, data gathered from insider researchers are valid, reliable, complete and accurate.
Access to people’s ideas in their words because researcher can interact with the subject and get full understanding through observations, face-to-face discussion, listening their thoughts and feel their emotions.
Documentation of important social problems of excluded groups is possible because it allows researcher to investigate deviant groups.
Detailed study of social settings can be done which can document the need for social reform. Disadvantages as insider researchers
Influenced by your own expectation/values. Researcher collects the data personally, so there are chances of bias.
Requires sufficient time and money.
The researcher has to play dual roles.
Close relation with the subjects may affects the
For instance anthropologist Elliot Liebow, he became the part of self conducted case study about homeless women living in emergency shelters. (pg. 53). Other example include, the sociologist Robert Lynd and Helen Lynd became members of the Munice society over a period of years to conduct ethnographic research …show more content…
Researcher becomes an accepted part of the environment.
Longitudinal/comparative studies are possible.
Best for qualitative data.
Unlike secondary analysis where the accuracy of some of the data is difficult to determine, data gathered from insider researchers are valid, reliable, complete and accurate.
Access to people’s ideas in their words because researcher can interact with the subject and get full understanding through observations, face-to-face discussion, listening their thoughts and feel their emotions.
Documentation of important social problems of excluded groups is possible because it allows researcher to investigate deviant groups.
Detailed study of social settings can be done which can document the need for social reform. Disadvantages as insider researchers
Influenced by your own expectation/values. Researcher collects the data personally, so there are chances of bias.
Requires sufficient time and money.
The researcher has to play dual roles.
Close relation with the subjects may affects the