A Short Note On Participant Observation

Archal and Rossman (1989) note that the definition of "systematic description of events,

Behaviors, and works of art in a social setting selected for the study "(P.79). Enable Notes

Researcher to describe existing conditions by using the five senses, providing "written image"

The situation is under study. DeMUNCK and SOBO (1998) described the participant observation as a basic means used by anthropologists do field work. Field work involves "active appearance,

Writing detailed field observations, and perhaps most importantly, patience "(DeWalt and Dewalt,

2002, p.vii). Participant observation is a process that enable researchers to identify

People activities under study in a natural environment by observing and participating in

Those activities.

• To help the researcher became known to members of the cultural and facilitate thus relieving

Of the research process.

• provide the researcher with a source of questions that need to be addressed with the participants

Bernard (1994) lists five reasons for the inclusion of participant observation in cultural studies, each

Including increasing the validity of the study:

1. makes it possible to collect different types of data. Being on the site during a period of time

Inform the researcher on the society, and thus facilitate the participation in the

Sensitive activities that he / she is generally not invited.

2. It reduces the incidence or persons acting in a certain way when they are

Being aware of the celebration.

3. It also helps the researcher to develop questions that make sense in the original language,

With culturally relevant.

4. It gives the researcher a better understanding of what is happening in the culture and

It lends credence to one of the explanations for observation. Note also participate

It enables a researcher to collect quantitative and qualitative data through surveys

And interviews.

5. Sometimes it is the only way to collect the right data to study

Miriam (1998) suggests that the most important factor in determining what is a researcher

We should note the purpose is the researcher to conduct the study in the first place. "Where

To start the search depends on the research questions, but where to focus or work stoppage can not be

Identify early "(Merriam, 1998, P.97).

To help the researcher knows what to celebrate, DeWalt and DeWalt (2002) suggests that

He / she is the study of what is happening and why; regular sort of irregular activities. a look

A variation to view the event in its entirety from a variety of perspectives. Search negative

Cases or exceptions. When behaviors embody the purposes of the theory of control, search for similar opportunities for monitoring and planning of systematic observations

Behaviors. Over time, these events may change, with this season, for example, fixed, so

Control activities or events that one has already noticed may be necessary.

WOLCOTT (2001) indicate that workers in the field to ask themselves if they are a good use for

The opportunity to find out what they want to know. He also advised that the workers in the field asking

Themselves if they want to know what makes maximum use of the opportunities