Backroom Research

A common theme in the readings is how researcher should present themselves to the participants. Although I can see how delicate a balancing act it is between being accepted into a group and being a strict observer, some of the discussion about the presentation of the researcher in ethnographic encounters troubled me. I think this is because "immersing in another culture" is such a messy business with no easy solution. For example, Stebbins describes the appropriate role of the researcher as a participant. His suggestions that researcher can perform the role of the helper, while not spending too much time on this task. This role seems a bit arbitrary and additionally, the relationship that it creates (of reciprocity) presents the researcher in the role of giving something back to the community rather their true role, which is to gather data for a specific purpose. Shaffir reiterates the theme of self presentation and I thought one of his most important insights in this discussion is that participants will tend to forget why the researcher is there, but the researcher will always remember their purpose. Therefore in long term ethnographic studies it seems most important to re-iterate the aims of the researcher throughout the process so that participants do not lose sight of the nature of their relationship with the researcher. He also found that in his ethnographic work he presented a particular image of himself. While in a professional role people do present a particular image, this is generally known and people in the work place are aware of this distinction. When a person is conducing ethnography they are often in a position of power and as well are participants in a closed group; Because of this mix of professional and personal, the image they present may be taken as truth by members of that group.