GETTING INTO THE FIELD Language and Society 9 Mar 2011
Fieldsite... what’s that? Your fieldsite will be the main place where you will carry out ethnographic research through participant observation. Participant observation is a method of immersing oneself in the community while systematically noticing how the community works How do I get started? How do I meet the people at my fieldsite?
Profesora Renata was the person in charge at the Spanish Class field site. I had to get her permission in order to do research with her class. 1. Identify and approach the person in charge.
Each student in the class decided if they wanted to be part of the study. Some chose to be interviewed and video recorded, others chose only to be audio recorded. 2. Get written consent from all participants.
I arrived ten minutes early to Spanish class in order to see when, how, and where students arrived and sat in the classroom. 3. Ease in to your field site.
I always brought my notebook to Spanish class so that I was ready to take notes at any time. Afterwards, I typed up these notes on my computer so that I didn’t forget anything. 4. Be prepared to take notes. And more notes!
During the first few days of fieldwork, I felt out of place. I tried to make a connection to one new student each day in order to feel more comfortable. 6. Expect to be noticed.
Sometimes, I didn’t know what assignment people were doing, or why there was a shortened class on Wednesday. I used the students as resources to help me understand what was going on in the class. 6. Ask questions. Ask for help.
I connected with two participants, ChiChi and Chuckles, over our love of coffee and the Lakers. Oscar and I connected through talking about our favorite books. 7. Be yourself, and look for connections!
One day, I missed an important class. Another day, I walked into class while everyone was beginning to take an exam! 8. Not everything will be perfect!
I made some lasting friends through my field work, and still talk to Profesora Renata almost every week. 9. Have fun!