Qualitative Field Observation
1. What does the grounded study approach mean?
Grounded theory relies usually relies on qualitative field observations. This means the data comes from observations on the field, not theoretical or following a deductive approach.
2. What group would you be interested in studying and why? What types of questions or issues, in particular, would interest you?
I would be interested in learning how gangs operate, specifically what kind of organization they have. I don’t think most gangs are as organized as say the mafia, but I imagine they have some level of structure. I would focus on gangs around my hometown (Salem).
3. What form of participant observation would be most conducive to a study of this group, and why?
I would be a participant as observer. This way, I could hang out with them, and be present for their activities. However, I would want them to know that I am a researcher from the beginning so that I am not placed in a tough place, in case I do not want to perform some of the activities they might do. I would also not be placing myself in danger, if they believed I was an undercover cop. Transparency would be vital in an observation of this type. …show more content…
4.
How would you gain access? Who would be your gatekeeper?
I would have to find an informant. This person might be found using parole officers who might help me get in contact with them, then I would hope to find a way to convince them to help me get in contact with some gang. I would also need him/her to vouch for me.
5. What kinds of jargon could be necessary?
Street jargon would be vital in an observation of this type. Obviously I am not talking to doctors or lawyers, I am talking to a subculture who takes pride in being from the streets or hood. I would need to be able to understand that for example when they say “that’s dope” they mean ‘that’s cool’ or “aight” mean “alright”.
6. How would you have to conduct yourself (i.e., dress, language, etc.) in order to avoid sticking out?
I would have to blend in by changing the way I dress, talk, maybe even the way I walk. Depending on the gang, I might not be allowed to wear certain brand of shoes or specific colors, while being expected to wear certain others. I would use more slang terms, and maybe even change my walking rhythm, to better blend in.
7. Describe the ethical issues (i.e., illegal acts, confidentiality, etc.) that could be problematic in this study. (Think back to the discussion of ethics from earlier in the
semester).
Ethical issues that would be problematic in this study would include what to do when a crime is taking place. Then whether I should report it. When the study should be stopped, for example the gang might be beating up a person, what should I do? Honoring agreements or confidentiality clauses, for example they did something very bad that must be reported, but I had promised to keep them anonymous and not disclose specifics. These are all different sorts of ethical issues that I would undoubtedly come across at some point.
Grounded theory relies usually relies on qualitative field observations. This means the data comes from observations on the field, not theoretical or following a deductive approach.
2. What group would you be interested in studying and why? What types of questions or issues, in particular, would interest you?
I would be interested in learning how gangs operate, specifically what kind of organization they have. I don’t think most gangs are as organized as say the mafia, but I imagine they have some level of structure. I would focus on gangs around my hometown (Salem).
3. What form of participant observation would be most conducive to a study of this group, and why?
I would be a participant as observer. This way, I could hang out with them, and be present for their activities. However, I would want them to know that I am a researcher from the beginning so that I am not placed in a tough place, in case I do not want to perform some of the activities they might do. I would also not be placing myself in danger, if they believed I was an undercover cop. Transparency would be vital in an observation of this type. …show more content…
4.
How would you gain access? Who would be your gatekeeper?
I would have to find an informant. This person might be found using parole officers who might help me get in contact with them, then I would hope to find a way to convince them to help me get in contact with some gang. I would also need him/her to vouch for me.
5. What kinds of jargon could be necessary?
Street jargon would be vital in an observation of this type. Obviously I am not talking to doctors or lawyers, I am talking to a subculture who takes pride in being from the streets or hood. I would need to be able to understand that for example when they say “that’s dope” they mean ‘that’s cool’ or “aight” mean “alright”.
6. How would you have to conduct yourself (i.e., dress, language, etc.) in order to avoid sticking out?
I would have to blend in by changing the way I dress, talk, maybe even the way I walk. Depending on the gang, I might not be allowed to wear certain brand of shoes or specific colors, while being expected to wear certain others. I would use more slang terms, and maybe even change my walking rhythm, to better blend in.
7. Describe the ethical issues (i.e., illegal acts, confidentiality, etc.) that could be problematic in this study. (Think back to the discussion of ethics from earlier in the
semester).
Ethical issues that would be problematic in this study would include what to do when a crime is taking place. Then whether I should report it. When the study should be stopped, for example the gang might be beating up a person, what should I do? Honoring agreements or confidentiality clauses, for example they did something very bad that must be reported, but I had promised to keep them anonymous and not disclose specifics. These are all different sorts of ethical issues that I would undoubtedly come across at some point.