Advanced Methods | Field Research - Advanced Methods | CCM

Description

In the Advanced Methods course, students acquire comprehensive knowledge in the field of the empirical research method of ethnographic field research.

The seminar is aimed at students who are interested in researching social practice and want to visualise experiential knowledge. It teaches the basics of various methodological approaches (e.g. noting observations and thoughts, memory protocols and field notes) as well as procedures to analyse the data generated (e.g. categorisation or thick descriptions). In addition, we will take a differentiated look at criticism as well as advantages and disadvantages of the method.

In the applied part of the seminar, we will carry out and reflect on our own participant observations. To this end, we will conduct field research in urban space or nature (e.g. in a bakery, a supermarket, at the public swimming pool, at the gym, on walks, etc.) using the ‘going native’ approach.

Learning objectives

Comprehensive knowledge of the methodological approaches of field research

Practical knowledge in the realisation of field research

Preparation

Preparing the texts in the reader

Detailed information about the examinations

Written reflection (5-8 pages, assessed)

Appendix: Documentation of field notes on a participatory observation (2-5 pages, non- assessed)

The written reflection should answer the following questions:

(1) What data were you able to generate through participant observation in the field and what are their characteristics?

(2) What preliminary main results can you formulate?

(3) What challenges did you encounter during the field research? What were unforeseen moments and processes? Why?

(4) What strengths and limitations of the research method can you identify?

Language: German or English

Second additional field

Please indicate the language of the course here:

English