Sociology 320 - Spring 2007

Field Research Practicum

February 21-25

  1. Introduction. We will spend the next three weeks exploring the concepts and experience of conducting qualitative research. During Week 7, we will focus on field research (observational) methods; Week 8 on historical research methods; Week 9 on methods of qualitative data analysis. The unit includes two research practica, of which this is the first. Both will generate 'raw data'. You will then choose one of these two sets of 'raw data' to further develop and write up as a formal, analytical research essay, Assignment #3, which will be due on Thursday, March 8.

  2. Reading. This assignment assumes you have completed reading Schutt, ch. 9, "Qualitative Methods: Observing, Participating, Listening"; have done Homework Set #5 (Schutt, ch. 9, Practice Exercise #4, p. 323); and have attended class on Tuesday, February 20, when we will discuss that chapter, homework, and this assignment.

  3. Date. There will be no class, Thursday, February 22. You may conduct this assignment at the regularly scheduled course time on that day if you would like. In any case, this exercise should be completed by Sunday, February 25.

  4. Assignment. This is an exercise in unobtrusive field research, in the form of observation. Your assignment is to attend one of the public spaces or events listed below and conduct approximately one hour of unobtrusive observation. Your role is not to directly interact or intervene with any individuals or groups you find in this setting, but to observe them, looking through 'sociological lenses' at interactions between people, individual and group interaction, the relation between people and their social and physical environments, etc. Ask yourself questions such as: Who do I see around me? What are the focuses of their interactions with others? What is sociologically interesting about what I observe? What insights might sociology bring to an understanding of everyday life?

  5. Location. Select one of the following (quasi-) public spaces for your unobtrusive observations:

  1. Methods. Carry a small notepad and discreetly jot down observations as appropriate during your field research. Immediately afterwards, sit down and write up your 'field notes'. Write out as much as you can recall about what you have observed. Beyond simple observations and descriptions, analyze sociologically interesting dynamics. What did you see in everyday activities through your 'sociological lenses' that was interesting to you? that surprised you? What did you not see that you expected to see? If you were going to go back to the same setting again, what would you look more closely at again? Given the opportunity, what might you like to follow-up with further research?

  2. Discussion. Come to class, Tuesday, February 27, prepared to discuss your field research practicum experience.

  3. Human Subjects Considerations. Confidentiality. You are not to record any actual names of individuals you observe. For research purposes, you may keep track of different individuals by giving them nicknames, e.g. "Man with Blue Coat", "Woman with Yellow Umbrella", etc. Harm. As unobtrusive observers, you are not to interview or otherwise directly interact with the people you are observing, except as you would in normal, everyday interactions. Disclosure. If anyone asks what you are doing, be honest and direct and state that you are carrying out an anonymous field research exercise for a college course; that no names or other personally identifying information are being collected or recorded. Review and Approval. This assignment has been submitted and approved by WSU's Institutional Review Board (IRB). 


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last updated February 21, 2007