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CONTENTS Chapter One: What Is Naturalistic Observation? Why Do Qualitative Researchers Choose Naturalistic Observation as a Tool of Research? Site Selection: Examples Public spaces and opportunity-based site selection Site selection for theoretical interests Site selection for policy issues Site selection for a research commission Site selection for a research linkage Basic Principles of Site Selection Gaining Entrée Informal gatekeepers Formal gatekeepers How Researchers Position Themselves in the Field Setting Necessary Research Skills Necessary Interpersonal and Social Skills The Process of Collecting Information by Means of Naturalistic Observation: The Procedural Arc The descriptive phase The focusing phase The selective phase The saturation point How a Naturalistic Observer Takes Notes Evaluating Data Collected by Means of Naturalistic Observation Validity Reliability Observer Roles Complete participants Participants-as-observers Observers-as-participants Complete members Active members Evolving members Complete observers For Discussion Chapter Two: Naturalistic Observation: An Overview of Some Influential Schools of Thought The Early Field Tradition, Historical Particularism, and Functionalism Symbolic Interactionism Ethnomethodology For Discussion Chapter Three: The Varieties of Naturalistic Observation Unobtrusive Observation Disguised observations Naturalistic field experiments Indirect observations Reactive Observation Continuous monitoring Spot sampling Participant Observation For Discussion Chapter Four: Naturalistic Observation: Procedures and Practicalities Procedures Triangulation Pattern-finding Database management programs Real and ideal behavior patterns Emics and etics in the analysis of behavioral patterns Presentation of Data The matrix The hierarchical tree Maps Counting and census-taking Social indicators Flowcharts and organizational charts Hypotheses/Propositions Metaphors Representation of Data The scientific format Subjective representations Realist tales Confessional tales Autoethnography Poetic representations Ethnodrama Fictional representations Beyond the written word Practicalities: Mechanical Aids to Field Observation Notepads Tape recorders Cameras Videotape Computers For Discussion Chapter Five: The Ethics of Naturalistic Observation Types of Ethical Standards Informed Consent and the Protection of Human Subjects Confidentiality Virtual Ethics The Review Process Relational Ethics in Context For Discussion Chapter Six: Current Issues in Naturalistic Observation Virtual Observations: Where Is the Field? The on-line world as a resource for research The on-line world as a study community Naturalistic observation in the real and virtual worlds Observer Bias Presence and action as biasing factors Is social research ever value-free? Subjective judgment Ethnocentrism Situatedness and social research Situational Attributes: Further Considerations Race and ethnicity Insider research Gender Sexuality and sexual orientation Description: Thick or Otherwise Membership roles reconsidered The Politics of Fieldwork Fieldwork for whom? When a community is divided Evaluating Tales from the Field Relativism and the evaluation of field research The principle of verification For Discussion Chapter Seven: Looking Ahead Ethics Reconsidered Glossary References About the Author
Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication:
Ethnology -- Methodology.
Ethnology -- Research.