Participant Observation
Jennifer S. Dinaburg
Research Design
Spring 2009
Outline
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Definitions
Claims
Complications
Considerations
Applications
Questions?
What is participant observation?
THIS?
Definitions
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Disciplined Curiosity
Learning How to Ask
Immersion
Encounter
Embodied Practice
Claims
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The Everyday Matters
The World is More Than Words
Context
Co-fabrication
Complications
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You are on your own here
The wrong place at the wrong time
You matter, but don’t go nuts
Accountability. Rigor. Science.
Considerations
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Field Notes
The Art of Observing & Participating
The Art of Confusion
Self-Reflexivity and Self-Awareness
Being a Good and Humble Learner
Ethics and Good Judgment
Applications
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Growing
Social Sciences
Journalism
Education
Business and Marketing
Medical Research
Questions?