Sociology 2206A/B Chapter Notes -Serendipity, Thick Description, Audit Trail
16 Apr 2013
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Appearance of interest: researcher appears to be interested in and involved with field events by statements and behaviours even if they are not truly interested. Selective inattention: gives an alert researcher an opportunity to learn by casually eavesdropping on conversations or observing events that might not be public. Observing: researchers need to learn how to notice what others overlook: records many details, better to err on side of caution, notes: physical appearance; presentation of self; behaviour; context; serendipity; wait time. 3 steps listen without applying analytical categories; compare what was heard to what was heard at other times and what others say; applies own interpretation to infer what it means; looks and listens without making inferences until the end. Machine recordings to supplement memory: cannot be introduced into all field sites, and can only be used after rapport is developed; can create disruption and increase awareness of surveillance; time consuming; don"t always convey contextual meaning.
