Читать книгу Sociology - Anthony Giddens - Страница 108

Most sociology graduates will know of the classic studies of the discipline. But sociology exists in its ongoing research programmes and studies, most of which are published in a range of academic journals. Journal articles (called ‘papers’) are part of the continuing process of data collection, theory building and extending our stock of knowledge.

Anthropologists and sociological ethnographers have long been aware of the dangers of getting too close to their subjects during the research process, which may threaten their objectivity and compromise their findings. But is this caution really justified? Is it possible that researchers and their subjects may develop friendships that, rather than compromising their research, may actually be beneficial to it?

The paper below explores this issue of personal relationships in auto/biographical research. Read the piece and tackle the questions that follow.

O’Donoghue, C. T. (2014) ‘Friendship in the Field: Ethics and Reflexivity in Auto/biographical Research’, Journal of Postgraduate Research [Trinity College Dublin]: 177–91; www.tara.tcd.ie/handle/2262/73634.

1 What is the main issue which this paper attempts to tackle?

2 How was the sample for the paper gathered?

3 What advantages are claimed for the ‘life history’ method over other research methods?

4 How did the researcher try to keep the ‘researcher-as-friend’ out of the research process? From evidence in the paper, how successful was this strategy?

5 What is meant by ‘the vulnerable observer’?

6 ‘The research participants were aware of the impact that these narratives were having on me, and that I was more than a “mere note-taker”….’ Is there any evidence that this may have had a negative influence on the research?