CHAPTER SEVEN PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AND CASE STUDIES

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CHAPTER SEVENPARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AND
CASE STUDIES

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Participant Observation

• Participant observation is the observation and
  participation in a groups activities - in its
  natural setting.
• It is also known as ethnography, field studies,
  and/or the verstehen approach.
• It is based on a grounded theory approach an
  approach that develops a theory as data is
  collected as opposed to being predetermined.
• A few examples of those who use participant
  observations include researchers, journalists,
  and law enforcement.

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Types of Participant Observation

• Complete Participation participation and
  manipulation, i.e., disguised observations.
• Participant as Observer an attempt to
  objectively observe activities of the group.
• Observer as Participant in-depth interviews.
• Complete Observation experimental and
  unobtrusive measures.
• Distinctions cannot always be made between
  unobtrusive studies, field studies, and
  participant as observer types.

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Characteristics or Qualities of Participant
Observation

• Demands on time and personal cost (personal
  involvement).
• The participant observer must be two dimensional,
  i.e., maintain objectivity despite becoming an
  insider.
• Avoid over-socialization, i.e., going native.
  For example, police undercover operations.
• Avoid over-identification with the study group
  and aversion to it, i.e., remain objective
  despite personal subjective bias dont be
  judgmental.

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Procedures ofParticipant Observation

• There is no one and only method
• of participant observation.
• Recording methods field notes/diaries,
  mnemonics, recordings, and photographs. Know when
  and where to do these activities the primary
  objective is to observe and listen.
• Use with caution, rapport is more important that
  recording results, i.e., avoid questions and note
  taking this makes people nervous and creates a
  disturbance within the group setting.
• Know the jargon (argot) of the group to be
  studied in order to gain access. There is a
  variety of strategies to gain access, i.e.,
  status and gatekeepers are possible sources.

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Other Participant Observation Procedures (Contd)

• Identify the true purpose of the study with the
  group announcement of intentions.
• Snowball sampling develop subjects through
  introductions of former subjects, i.e.,
  gatekeepers.
• Reciprocity mutual obligation, i.e., what is
  owed.

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Other Participant Observation Procedures (Contd)

• Protect individual identities if possible, i.e.,
  pseudonyms or aliases.
• Avoid criminal activity.
• Validate Findings, i.e., interviews, police and
  legal officials, documents, and other case
  histories.
• Some examples include Skinheads, Idaho
  Christian Patriots, Underworld figures,
  motorcycle gangs, etc.

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Discussion

• Using Hamms Skinheads and
• Jankowskis gang studies
• discuss some of the potential dangers as well as
  prospects of studying deviant groups
• on their turf.

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Advantages of Participant Observations

• Sensitizing verstehen strategy
• Less prejudgments
• Less disturbing as compared to an experimental
  design
• Greater flexibility
• An excellent means of obtaining detailed
  qualitative data
• Natural setting

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Disadvantages of Participant Observations

• Time consuming
• Expensive
• Over-identification or dislike of the group being
  studied
• Problem with gaining access and acceptance
• Ethical dilemmas, i.e., privacy, illegal
  activities - criminality, confidentiality, and
  reciprocity
• Observer bias or subjectivity
• Yields non-quantitative data an analytical issue

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CASE STUDIES(Observer as Participant)

• Case studies focus on single individuals, groups,
  or communities a few illustrative cases
• Case studies employ historical documents, oral
  histories, in-depth interviews, and participant
  observations.
• Primary advantages in-depth qualitative view
  of one or a few subjects.
• Primary disadvantages Subjectivity, researcher
  bias, and cases that are atypical.

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Question/Discussion

• Of what importance have case studies been
• in criminological/criminal justice research?
• Explain
• And,
• Provide examples that have
• used this approach.

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Single-Subject Designs(Complete Observation)

• Quantitative case studies that involve the
  longitudinal measurement of a dependent variable
  on a single subject, i.e., a time interval that
  utilizes a baseline period and a measurement
  period (Not the same as Xs and Os with the
  traditional group design). Single subject
  intervention v. group study more clinical.
• More of a clinical approach and has a major
  problem with generalizability however,
  replication is a possible solution.