Qualitative methods - Participant observation Research Paper

Qualitative methods - Participant observation - Research Paper Example Literature Review: Introduction: Participant observation has its roots in anthropological studies, where researchers would go to a far away place to study the customs and practices of less known societies (Lakono et-al, 2009). With regard to a qualitative method such as semi-structured interviews, the process involves a researcher speaking to research subjects and then attempting to make sense of what has been said by reviewing the transcript of the conversation (Tolhurst, 2012).To avoid biased remarks, the researcher has to learn to put aside their preconceptions (Kutsche, revised 2008). Challenges: The challenges that face researchers in the field of qualitative research, otherwise referred to as ethnographic fieldwork, which encompasses participant observation are enormous and disorienting. These short theoretical explanations make it clear that we are dealing with a social phenomenon that confronts researchers with a new complexity in terms of special disruption, and at the same time, a highly connected social formation (Richter, 2012). The social sciences have particularly advanced in application of qualitative methods, including gender concerns. The desire to overcome the separation of productive and reproductive labour in the lives of both sexes is a desire that can only be achieved if labour unions perceive gender relations as a political challenge demanding their attention (Morgenroth, 2012). Jun Li, in her research in the field of female gambling, sums up some of her challenges in a slightly disturbing fashion. By assuming a covert research role, I was able to observe natural occurrences in gambling settings, but unable to make peace with disturbing feelings of my research concealment. By uncovering my research identity, I was able to fulfill ethical obligations as a researcher, but unable to get he female gamblers to speak their minds (Jun Li, 2008). According to Jun Li, she may never have succeeded in uncovering the individual secrets behind their p erformance in the game, and for any other matters they considered her an outsider. Participant Observation Definition Participant observation is a method of acquiring information for a study that requires the researcher to undertake their study in the target society. For this reason, the researcher gets ‘absorbed’ into the society and makes direct observations while in the assumed position of a member of the society. For this reason they participate directly in the affairs of their target, and therefore have a clearer understanding of the aspects of their study. Application of Participant Observation in Business management The method of participant observation has over time spread in application from the initial sociological fields to gain application in more disciplines, including business management. The managers of a business expect to be provided with forthright information about all aspects of the business that could help them to make advised decisions in running t he business. For this reason, they may decide to plant ‘informers’ to update them on curious operational details. They may as well decide to engage in relatively lower ranked duties in the firm in order to have clearer control of operations. A business proprietor interested in