Qualitative methods in social science research: participant observation and life history interview (5cr)

Objective

After completion of the course the student knows-       the basics about the originand development of the anthropological method of participantobservation-       the theoretical background ofthe methodology of participant observation-       the basis about qualitativemethods in social science research-       the application ofparticipant observation in anthropology and in other disciplines ofsocial sciences and humanities-       basic skills to planfieldwork using the method of participant observation 

Content

Reading and discussing seminal texts, design of a shortexperimental fieldwork situation to apply the method of participantobservation. This course will focus on two most prominentqualitative research methods, both of which form the backbone ofsocial anthropological enquiry: fieldwork in participantobservation and life history interview. For more than a centuryArctic researchers undertook significant travels to live and workwith the peoples of the Arctic, in order to get as much as possiblean ‘insider’s view’ of their livelihoods. In thistradition, contemporary anthropologists continue to contribute toour general understanding about human social and cultural diversityand similarity using those methods that were developed by academicforefathers such as Bronislaw Malinovski. But rather than justhistory, students in this course will be closely guided to practicethese methods themselves in a small research project. They will beinstructed in the practicalities of designing fieldwork plans, theconsideration of crucial fieldwork ethics, carrying out fieldresearch, and guided through the analysis of their data all the wayto presenting their results. The best of those can be publicizedonline and so exposed to further discussion, should the studentswish so.

Qualifications

This course is best for advanced level students, which meansthat students should have a general idea about the principles ofacademic research work, using literature, critically evaluate andanalyse sources. Beginner-level students should contact theteachers and enquire about admission to this course. We may be ableto accommodate even some students without deep previousknowledge.

Materials

Supplementary Literature
Travers, Max. Qualitative Research Through Case Studies. SAGE,2001.  chapters 1 and 2Silverman, David. Doing Qualitative Research: APractical Handbook. SAGE, 2005. For additional help on step by stepqualitative research planning:K Hastrup, 'Getting it right: knowledge andevidence in anthropology'. Anthropological Theory 4 (4): 455-72; (2004). More to be announcedlater.

Execution methods

Lectures, workshops for fieldwork design, joint seminars fordata analysis, and final seminar for presentation of results(altogether 36 h), independent field research and preparation ofthe results.

Accomplishment methods

Participation in contact teaching, and fieldwork designworkshops: 25 %. Design and carrying out of short fieldworksituation 50 %, presentation of one’s work in a seminar: 25 %.Participation in the lectures mandatory, missing of a maximum of25% acceptable.