The subject studying the researcher

In the past few weeks we looked at different approaches on how researchers can study their subjects. This week’s readings sort of turns the lens around and talks about how the subject studies the researcher. Stebbins talks about the social aspects to doing field research, and the need to gain respect and acceptance from the group you are studying. He states that researchers should be socialized within the group in the first weeks or month, because this is the period of time where the subjects will study to see how much you are interested in their group and how competent or knowledgeable you are in portraying them accurately in your final work. Both Stebbins and Shaffir think that the impression that the subjects paint of you will have an impact on how they will help you with your research, and influence the types of information they will give you access to.

Luker adds to these ideas through showing that self-presentation is also something to be considered in interviews. Unlike field research, the interview has only the first few minutes where the researcher can “hook” or interest their subject into their research. She mentions some tips in terms of how you should dress and present yourself to your subject, because your subject can detect certain things about you through your behaviour and clothes. This demonstrates how the subjects also study the researcher, and that the subjects are not the only ones being analyzed. The researcher should think about how they present themselves to the subjects or practice what Shaffir calls “self-presentation”, because it will influence how the subjects see him/her as a researcher. These impressions will influence the subsequent interactions that the researcher will have with their subjects.