In fieldwork method data collection instruments differs from experiment and field survey method. There are three methods, to collect, record and analyze information in fieldwork research method; which are as follow, participant observation, ethnography and case study.
Participant Observation
It is amongst, one of the method to collect, record and analyze information regarding specific social issue in fieldwork research. Obtaining information through, participant observation method; requires, participation of researcher in subject daily life. Now here, readers might be having question in their minds; how does researcher obtain data, by participating in subject daily life activities? Answer to the question is simple, researcher observe and record the patterns of subject interactions and social life. Participant observation method; is used by interactionist researcher, for the reason that, it helps them to determine, the fundamental building block of society “social interactions”. In 2000 a writer named, “Rodney Rothman” pretended to be an employ for two weeks in a New York firm called “dot com”. The purpose behind his stunt, was to analyze work environment of organization; where white collar employees’ work. He worked there for two weeks and recorded all the interactions and behavior of the employees within organization and then wrote an article on his observations, titled “my fake job” published in New York Times. However, the method which he used in his field research; for data collection was, participant observation.
Ethnography Method
Ethnography method tends to observe that how a group of people; who live together comprehend their social standing, in society. Ethnographer areas of field research are observing, the cultural norms of small community, he could be interested in, observing the culture norms of specific tribe. Every place, which is confined by borders are used for different social purposes and have set their own standards, of expected behavior are the research area of ethnographer. Ethnographers are interested in identifying cultural norms and values which influence human behavior in a particular society, by the mean of observation. Researcher might visit a community, as a guest, to observe and record their ways of life and the roles which are expected of an individual in a community.
Case study Method
It is used by researcher; for studying a particular social event, scenario or individual. Information regarding the study can be obtained from the following methods, past records, documents, observation, participant observation and interview. As mentioned earlier, case study method studies an individual, researcher might be interested in conducting case study on juvenile delinquent, and unique case may add a lot of knowledge to certain discipline. For example; it may explore the patterns of learning criminal behavior by a juvenile. It may determine the different causes, which lead juvenile towards committing crime. Such as growing up in bad neighborhood may lead him towards criminal behavior or may be compelled by family members or friends to commit crime. However, many researcher criticize case study method, for the reason that, it does not provide generalize result because it focuses on specific event or individual.
