SOCI 217 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Participant Observation, Participatory Action Research, Grounded Theory
Document Summary
Typically yields qualitative data because observations are not easily reduced to numbers. Can be used to collect quantitative data such as noting the number of interactions, etc. Usually don"t approach with a hypothesis in mind. Make initial observations -> develop a general conclusions. Ethnography (aka participant observation): a report on social life that focuses on detailed and accurate description rather than explanation. Rooted in naturalism: based on assumption that an objective social reality exists and can be observed and reported accurately. Case study: a focused, detailed investigation of a single instance of some social phenomenon like a town, an industry, a community, an organization, or a person. Not a technique for gathering data such as observation, in-depth interviews, questionnaires, etc. Refers to the design of a research study. **concerns what unit the researcher will focus upon, not how data is gathered. May be used for both qualitative and quantitative research.
