Overview

Participant Observation is a central and defining method of research in cultural anthropology, as well as a common feature of qualitative research in other disciplines - sociology, education, health sciences. The authors provide the basic guide to the participant observation field methods of collection of systematic data in naturalistic settings - communities in many different cultures. It is a valuable primer for the beginning researcher, as well as a reference for the experienced ethnographer.

Full Product Details

Author:   Kathleen Musante DeWalt ,  Billie R. DeWalt
Publisher:   AltaMira Press
Imprint:   AltaMira Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.60cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 23.30cm
Weight:   0.417kg
ISBN:  

9780759100459

ISBN 10:   0759100454
Pages:   296
Publication Date:   01 November 2001
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Out of Print
Availability:   Out of stock  

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: What is Participant Observation? Chapter 2: Learning to be a Participant Observer: Theoretical Issues Chapter 3: Doing Participant Observation: Becoming a Participant Chapter 4: Doing Participant Observation: Becoming an Observer Chapter 5: Gender and Sex Issues in Participant Observation Chapter 6: Designing Research with Participant Observation Chapter 7: Informal Interviewing in Participant Observation Chapter 8: Writing Field Notes Chapter 9: Analyzing Field Notes Chapter 10: Ethnical Concerns in Participant Observation Chapter 11 Appendix 1: Sample Field Notes Chapter 12 Appendix 2: University of Pittsburgh Guidelines on Data Retention and Access Chapter 13 Appendix 3: Codes from the Outline of Cultural Materials (OCM) Chapter 14 Appendix 4: Ethics Statements of the American Anthropological Association and the American Sociological Association Chapter 15 Bibliography Chapter 16 Index

Reviews

Kathleen and Billie DeWalt have produced a stellar addition to our increasingly sophisticated library of anthropological research methodology. My feeling is that every doctoral student headed for fieldwork will be well-equipped if she or he is carrying copies of Russ Bernard's Handbook of Methods, The Ethnographer's Toolkit by Schensul and LeCompte, and Participant Observation. I am particularly impressed with the contents as practical, daily-use information in the field. It is presentedin an eclectic, 'pick what you like' range of styles and possibilities, with excellent examples from a wide array of sources. The book provides a remarkably clear demystifying view of 'participant observation, ' the usually hazy concept that is a definingaspect of field anthropology. Their discussion makes it clear that participant observation is not synonymous with ethnographic fieldwork . . . and that anthropological fieldwork consists of a medley of methods, for which participant observation is usual

Author Information

Kathleen M. DeWalt is Professor of Anthropology and Public Health and New Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Pittsburgh; Billie R. DeWalt is Professor of Anthropology and Director of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History at the University of Pittsburgh.

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