SA 150 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Discourse Analysis, Critical Theory, Ambivalence

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SA 150
• Professor: Lindsey Freeman

Document Summary

Research methodology: system of methods a researcher uses to gather data on a particular question. Positivist (belief that the methods used to study the natural sciences (including experiment, measurement, systematic observation) Outsider perspective: flawed, looking only at various statistics, covering subjects such as unemployment, housing, crime rates. Involves the close examination of characteristics that cannot be counted or measured. May be used to study those individual cases that don"t fit into the larger model. Direct observation and extended field research to produce a thick, naturalistic description of a people and their culture. Seeks to uncover symbols and categories members of the given culture to interpret their word. William whyte"s research methodology involved semi-structured interviews (informal) and participant observation (both observing people as an outsider would and actively participate in various activities of the studied people"s lives. Informants: insiders who act as interpreters or intermediaries while helping the researcher become accepted by the community studied.