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Link: https://youtu.be/yRq1AhFAN-4
Please Watch
Please watch the four minute video on “Gang Leader for a Day,” an example of a successful participant observation study. This four minute video describes a sociologist’s participant observation study of the Robert Taylor housing projects in Chicago. Chapter 2 covers participant observation and research ethics. Please watch the video and read the text about participant observation as well as ethics and consider the significance that the research has in the larger society. In other words, think about the following questions as you watch the video. After sociologists gather their research findings, what might these findings tell us about our society/culture? What sociological conclusions may be drawn from the research?
Assignment
Once you’ve done that, click on “Reply” and answer the following questions (write between 250 to 300 words). Please make sure to use examples from the readings and other course materials to help you with your responses.
- What made Venkatesh change his method of research from a survey to participant observation?
- Describe the role of the researcher in this study and how he was able to be successful in gathering the data.
- What ethical concerns surround this study?
- How does the findings of this study contribute to an understanding of particular types of communities in our society?
- After posting your short essay, please respond to at least two other students. Elaborate on their posts and end your responses with a thoughtful question. (Write between a 100 – 150 word response for each.)
To earn full points for this assignment:
- Demonstrate an outstanding understanding of participant observation .
- Use specific vocabulary from the text and from the talk.
- Have fewer than five (5) spelling and/or grammar mistakes.
- Write between 250 and 300 words.
- Respond to at least two other students (write between a 100 – 150 word response for each).
When Venkatesh first tried to know about the lives of the Chicago-based crack dealing gang through questioning, members thought that he was from a rival Mexican gang, so they held him hostage for 24 hours. After letting him go, the gang members told him that to get real answers of what the people’s lives are like, he should live with them in the community, not just ask questions.