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Aftab Ahmed Chaudhry (Anthrpologist)

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Field Research

Field research is the systematic study of ordinary events and activities as they occur in real-life situation. It is a naturalistic inquiry that takes place in the field, that is, in natural setting that is not constructed for the purpose of conducting research. Field research is not just a set of methods of data collection but also a model that employs a number of techniques of data collection and analysis.
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Types of Field Research


Particularistic field research
Research focus on social issues and situation, with particular reference to primary contexts such as culture

Holistic field research


Research focuses on cultures as whole entities, their structure and characteristics per se as well as in comparison with other cultures. it may look at modern cultures or subcultures and compare them with others.

Mixed model
It is combination of particularistic research and holistic research model. Two research model by expanding the particulars type of research and including elements of the holistic model in its theory and design. Although in most cases the focus remains the same (i.e. aspect of social life)
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Design of field research


In the quantitative model it is relatively rigid a deterministic, while in a qualitative paradigm it is relative open and flexible.
1.
2.

Topic and methodology


a. the researcher will state which topic will be studied, and within which methodology it will be constructed and researched. When quantitative methodology is employed, the topic will be clearly defined, reduced, and specified In qualitative research, such specification will be rather general and flexible. In quantitative; sample will be determined precisely before the study commences. In qualitative; it may be less rigid and may be left partly open to be completed during the study.

Methodological definition of the topic


a. b.

3.

Sampling procedures
a. b.

Prepared By: Aftab Ahmed, pk.linkedin.com/in/aftabch/

Design of field research


4. Data collection
a) Entering the field
i. Going native. Important task to be completed at this stage of research are gaining entry and acceptance, establishing the research environment, and building up contacts and rapport Data collection begins with an exploration which might simply involve identification and description of issues related to the research subject. Observation, interaction and communication are constantly transformed into notes of kind that are systematically organized for future use. When data collection is done the researcher leaves the field When relations have been impersonal, exit from the field is easy

b)

Gathering data
i.

c)

Taking notes
i.

d)

Leaving The field


i. ii.

Prepared By: Aftab Ahmed, pk.linkedin.com/in/aftabch/

Design of field research


5. Data Analysis
a.
a. b.

In qualitative research of the flexible kind


Have much greater freedom in writing than is permitted to other qualitative researchers, not to mention quantitative researchers.

6. Writing report

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Ethnographic Research
Ethnography has been seen as the science of cultural description. a description and interpretation of cultural group with the purpose of understanding them from the native point of view

Prepared By: Aftab Ahmed, pk.linkedin.com/in/aftabch/

Criteria of ethnographic research

The main criteria of ethnographic research do not differ from those encountered in field research.
1. 2. 3. 4. Ethnographic research is form of a field research that studies cultures Employs a holistic approach; it studies cultures and interprets life in a cultural context Is conducted in natural setting and entails a total sinking in the field of study Constructs culture through in-depth studies and the meanings of the participants.

Prepared By: Aftab Ahmed, pk.linkedin.com/in/aftabch/

Methodology in ethnographic research


The methods employed in ethnographic research are of two kinds, descriptive or critical. Critical ethnographic research is common in social sciences. In general the overall deign of ethnographic research falls within the parameters of field research in this context, ethnographers use field work of many kinds, for instance,
personal participant observation, interviews, document analysis, filming and recording. This is of tern assumed to entail a rejection of positivist thinking and research.
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The Research Plan


1. Accessing a field setting
a. This is facilitated through contacts with gatekeepers and keyinformants Do not exposed identity, research plan or aim , ensure the safety of self, notes and subjects. The researcher observes/listens to the physical setting , the participants, relationships, takes notes , films events, records communication , works with notes, coding etc, This implies exiting, dissolving relationships, emotional disengagement
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2. Becoming invisible
a.

3. Watching, listening and learning


a.

4. Disengaging
a.

Strengths and weakness of Ethnographic Research

Strengths
Holistic perspective Use of the socio cultural context as the explaining source High degree of flexibility Capacity to identify contradictions and inconsistencies High quality of the research participant relationship Closeness to the participants High external validity Capacity for longitudinal study; studying issues over time
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Strengths and weakness of Ethnographic Research

Weaknesses
Inability to provide evidence supporting causality Inability to ensure validity and reliability Lack of replication\inability to ensure objectivity Difficulty with going native which often affects studies and leads to problems Interviewer effect that causes obvious distortions Distortion of the natural setting by the very presence of the research

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Case Studies

A case study is an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon within its real-life context when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly obvious

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Types of Case Studies

Intrinsic case study


conducted for its own sake, to learn about the case only (Generalized for same cases)

Instrumental case study


use to inquire into a social issue or to refine a theory with wider applications beyond the study itself

Collective study
includes several instrumental studies or number of single studies investigated jointly to inquire an issue

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Ask If You Wish Add if you Can


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