Field research across different disciplines Field research

1 field research across different disciplines

1.1 anthropology
1.2 archaeology
1.3 biology
1.4 earth , atmospheric sciences
1.5 economics
1.6 public health
1.7 management
1.8 sociology

field research across different disciplines
anthropology

in anthropology, field research organized produce kind of writing called ethnography. ethnography can refer both methodology , product of research, namely monograph or book. ethnography grounded, inductive method heavily relies on participant-observation. participant observation structured type of research strategy. used methodology in many disciplines, particularly, cultural anthropology, sociology, communication studies, , social psychology. aim gain close , intimate familiarity given group of individuals (such religious, occupational, or sub cultural group, or particular community) , practices through intensive involvement people in natural environment, on extended period of time. method originated in field work of social anthropologists, students of franz boas in united states, , in urban research of chicago school of sociology.

traditional participant observation undertaken on extended period of time, ranging several months many years, , generations. extended research time period means researcher able obtain more detailed , accurate information individuals, community, and/or population under study. observable details (like daily time allotment) , more hidden details (like taboo behavior) more observed , interpreted on longer period of time. strength of observation , interaction on extended periods of time researchers can discover discrepancies between participants say—and believe—should happen (the formal system) , happen, or between different aspects of formal system; in contrast, one-time survey of people s answers set of questions might quite consistent, less show conflicts between different aspects of social system or between conscious representations , behavior.

archaeology

field research lies @ heart of archaeological research. may include undertaking of broad area surveys (including aerial surveys); of more localised site surveys (including photographic, drawn, , geophysical surveys, , exercises such fieldwalking); , of excavation.

biology

in biology, field research typically involves studying of free-living wild animals in subjects observed in natural habitat, without changing, harming, or materially altering setting or behavior of animals under study. field research indispensable part of biological science.

animal migration tracking (including bird ringing/banding) frequently-used field technique, allowing field scientists track migration patterns , routes, , animal longevity in wild. knowledge animal migrations essential accurately determining size , location of protected areas.

earth , atmospheric sciences

in geology fieldwork considered essential part of training , remains important component of many research projects. in other disciplines of earth , atmospheric sciences, field research refers field experiments (such vortex projects) utilizing in situ instruments. permanent observation networks maintained other uses not considered field research, nor permanent remote sensing installations.

economics

the objective of field research in economics beneath surface, contrast observed behaviour prevailing understanding of process, , relate language , description behavior (e.g. deirdre mccloskey, 1985).

the 2009 nobel prize winners in economics, namely, elinor ostrom , oliver williamson, have advocated mixed methods , complex approaches in economics , hinted implicitly relevance of field research approaches in economics. in recent interview oliver williamson , elinor ostrom discuss importance of examining institutional contexts when performing economic analyses. both ostrom , williamson agree top-down panaceas or cookie cutter approaches policy problems don’t work. believe policymakers need give local people chance shape systems used allocate resources , resolve disputes. sometimes, ostrom points out, local solutions can efficient , effective options. point of view fits anthropological research, has time shown logic of local systems of knowledge — , damage can done when solutions problems imposed outside or above without adequate consultation. elinor ostrom, example, combines field case studies , experimental lab work in research. using combination, contested longstanding assumptions possibility groups of people cooperate solve common pool problems (as opposed being regulated state or governed market.

recently swann (2008, pp. 3–5) argued ‘’the way can know hearing can said persons of every variety of opinion, , studying modes in can looked @ every character of mind’. if economist had followed mill’s wise advice, making use of extraordinary repertoire of research methods in applied economics, including vernacular methods described in book’’.

edward j. nell (1998) argued there 2 types of field research in economics. 1 kind can give drawn picture of institutions , practices, general in applies activities of kind of particular society or social setting, still specialized society or setting. although institutions , practices intangibles, such picture objective, matter of fact, independent of state of mind of particular agents reported on. approaching economy different angle, kind of fieldwork can give picture of state of mind of economic agents (their true motivations, beliefs, state knowledge, expectations, preferences , values).

public health

in public health use of term field research refers epidemiology or study of epidemics through gathering of data epidemic (such pathogen , vector(s) social or sexual contacts, depending upon situation).

management

mintzberg played crucial role in popularization of field research in management. tremendous amount of work mintzberg put findings earned him title of leader of new school of management, descriptive school, opposed prescriptive , normative schools preceded work. schools of thought derive taylor, henri fayol, lyndall urwick, herbert a. simon, , others endeavored prescribe , expound norms show managers must or should do. arrival of mintzberg, question no longer must or should done, manager during day. more recently, in 2004 book managers not mbas, mintzberg examined believes wrong management education today.

aktouf (2006, p. 198) summed-up mintzberg observations takes place in field:‘’first, manager’s job not ordered, continuous, , sequential, nor uniform or homogeneous. on contrary, fragmented, irregular, choppy, extremely changeable , variable. work marked brevity: no sooner has manager finished 1 activity or called jump another, , pattern continues nonstop. second, manager’s daily work not series of self-initiated, willful actions transformed decisions, after examining circumstances. rather, unbroken series of reactions sorts of request come around manager, both internal , external environments. third, manager deals same issues several times, short periods of time; or far traditional image of individual deals 1 problem @ time, in calm , orderly fashion. fourth, manager acts focal point, interface, or intersection between several series of actors in organization: external , internal environments, collaborators, partners, superiors, subordinates, colleagues, , forth. or must ensure, achieve, or facilitate interactions between these categories of actors allow firm function smoothly.’’

sociology

pierre bourdieu played crucial role in popularization of fieldwork in sociology. during algerian war in 1958-1962, bourdieu undertook ethnographic research clash through study of kabyle peoples, of berbers laying groundwork anthropological reputation. result first book, sociologie de l algerie (the algerians), immediate success in france , published in america in 1962. book (‘’algeria 1960: disenchantment of world: sense of honour: kabyle house or world reversed: essays’’), published in english in 1979 cambridge university press, established him major figure in field of ethnology , pioneer advocate scholar more intensive fieldwork in social sciences. book based on decade of work participant-observer algerian society. 1 of outstanding qualities of work has been innovative combination of different methods , research strategies analytical skills in interpreting obtained data.

throughout career, bourdieu sought connect theoretical ideas empirical research, grounded in everyday life. work can seen sociology of culture. bourdieu labeled theory of practice . contributions sociology both empirical , theoretical. conceptual apparatus based on 3 key terms, namely, habitus, capital , field. furthermore, bourdieu fiercely opposed rational choice theory grounded in misunderstanding of how social agents operate. bourdieu argued social agents not continuously calculate according explicit rational , economic criteria. according bourdieu, social agents operate according implicit practical logic—a practical sense—and bodily dispositions. social agents act according feel game (the feel being, roughly, habitus, , game being field).

bourdieu’s anthropological work focused on analysis of mechanisms of reproduction of social hierarchies. bourdieu criticized primacy given economic factors, , stressed capacity of social actors actively impose , engage cultural productions , symbolic systems plays essential role in reproduction of social structures of domination. bourdieu’s empirical work played crucial role in popularization of correspondence analysis , particularly ‘’multiple correspondence analysis.’’ bourdieu held these geometric techniques of data analysis are, sociology, inherently relational. in preface book ‘’the craft of sociology’’ bourdieu argued that: use correspondence analysis much, because think relational procedure philosophy expresses in view constitutes social reality. procedure thinks in relations, try concept of field.

one of classic ethnographies in sociology book ain t no makin it: aspirations & attainment in low-income neighborhood jay macleod. study addresses reproduction of social inequality among low-income, male teenagers. researcher spent time studying 2 groups of teenagers in housing project in northeastern city of united states. study concludes 3 different levels of analysis play part in reproduction of social inequality: individual, cultural, , structural.