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Literary Research and Participant Observation • Once the field worker has gained entry, people tend to forget he is there, and let down their guard, but he does not; however much he seems to participate, he is really there to observe and even to watch what happens when people let down their guard (Gans 1968: 314). Important because: • Direction • Focus • Familiarization Literary Review: people, review articles and bibliographic research tools Three Documentation Resources • People: Experts, professors, Union leaders, etc. • Articles and Review articles: annual Review of anthropology or Current anthropology • Bibliographic research tools: SSCI, Abstracts in anthropology, Anthropological Index Important Questions • Does this topic (village, data collection method or question) really interest me? • Are there adequate resources available to investigate this topic? • Will my research topic, or questions, or the methods I want to use, lead to unreasonable ethical problems? • Is the topic chosen of any theoretical interest? Participant Observation • • • • • Close to people: day to day interactions Establishing rapport Close but a sense of distance Not all fieldwork is Participant observation Many data collection tools reasons for doing participant observation • • • • A complete method Less reactivity More sensible approach Closer understanding of the everyday Making an entry • Site selection • Come prepared • Presentation letter What are the skills that a participant observer needs to develop? • • • • • • Language Building memory Maintaining naiveté Building writing skills Hanging out Reflexivity Stages of participant observation: • • • • • • Initial contact Shock Discovery The break Focusing Leaving the field