How may a researcher immerse themselves in a culture without contaminating the field?
How may a researcher immerse themselves in a culture without contaminating the field?
Three references
Prepare at least two substantive comments (50-100 words) for the posts below:
First one,
A researcher can immerse themselves in culture by assimilating to what is around them and this can vary by setting some examples are geographical location, industry, ethnicity, gender or religious group. Once the researcher has placed themselves into the fieldwork, they are then able to conduct observations, conversations, and collect information about the group they are studying (Glesne, 2016). The relationship that the researcher takes within the community is dependent upon the methodology that they chose to utilize such as participant-observer or observer-participant (Glesne, 2016).
Clark (2016) believes that research is not a passive experience. If a researcher doesn’t want to contaminate the field the researcher needs to take an active role in the situation, they are trying to gather qualitative data in. Engagement with others is an important part of the qualitative research gathering method and it helps with building trust within the cultural setting the researcher is working in (Clark, 2016).
When it comes to Ethnography, the research can sometimes be intrusive to the people who are being observed and Glesne (2016) said that it is important to learn from the participants about their behaviors. When a researcher submerses themselves into another culture hopefully the people are willing to accept that researcher, but there are times when people do not want to let others who are different from themselves into their personal circle. Clark (2016, as cited by Hammersley, 1995) “participation is almost always voluntary” but that does not mean the people engaging in the research accept the researcher. If the researcher is not accepted it could lead to contaminating the field due to bad data being observed and recorded.
Glesne (2016) provides great examples of how to conduct fieldwork by carrying a journal for notes and then updating the responses each evening. Glesne (2016) recommends making descriptive and analytical notes for to aid in memory recall when expanding upon the observed data to assist in the writing process for the researcher. By having these specific details it allows for observer comments to help minimize personal biases that otherwise may lead to contaminating the field of data.
References:
Clark, T. (2010). On ‘being researched’: why do people engage with qualitative research? (Links to an external site.)
Qualitative Research, 10(4) 399-419.
Glesne, C. (2016). Becoming qualitative researchers. (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Answer preview How may a researcher immerse themselves in a culture without contaminating the field?
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