I have critiqued an article ‘Get Ready to Duck: Bouncers and the Realities of Ethnographic Research on Violent Groups’(Winlow, S., Hobbs, D., Hadfield, P., Lister, S., (2001) ‘Get Ready to Duck: Bouncers and the Realities of Ethnographic Research on Violent Groups’, British Journal of Criminology, 41, 536-548.) that deals with violence in a job role. Bouncers have a reputation for violence and the following article investigates the bouncer’s role using qualitative research. The method used is covert ethnography. I will examine this article in terms of the methodological approaches, size of the sample, and the moral and ethical problems with the method used; the use of deceit; the possibility of using violence whilst working on the door and views on ethical problems. I will investigate the strengths of the article and identify the limitations of the article.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Methodology and Ethical Considerations
- Covert Ethnography
- Advantages and Disadvantages
- Ethical Issues
- Results and Findings
- Discussion and Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This article examines the use of covert ethnography in researching the working culture of bouncers, specifically addressing the challenges and ethical considerations associated with this method. The primary objective is to critically analyze the study's approach, evaluating its strengths and limitations while considering the moral and ethical implications of covert research. Key themes explored include:- The application of covert ethnography in researching violent subcultures.
- The ethical complexities of using deception in research and its impact on participants and the researcher.
- The role of violence within the bouncer subculture and its implications for the researcher's involvement.
- The potential for "going native" and the researcher's immersion in the culture being studied.
- The challenges of gathering and recording data in a covert research setting.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The article begins by introducing the concept of bouncers as a "commercial device" (Winlow et al., 2001, pg536) and the rationale for using covert ethnography to study their working culture. It then outlines the theoretical framework of Interpretivism, emphasizing the subjective nature of the researcher's perspective. The researcher's prior experience as a bouncer is presented as a key strength of the study, highlighting the ability to gain firsthand insights into the subculture. The article further discusses the advantages of covert ethnography in revealing the "true" operations of the culture, contrasting it with overt methods that may influence participants' behavior.
The article then delves into the ethical dilemmas associated with covert research, emphasizing the absence of "informed" consent and the potential risks to the researcher's safety. It discusses the researcher's need to balance their commitment to ethical research with the challenges of conducting covert research within a potentially dangerous and secretive environment. The author also explores the emotional impact of the research on the researcher, particularly the potential for "going native" and the guilt that may accompany leaving the study and the friendships forged with participants.
The article concludes by examining the effectiveness of covert research in this specific context, arguing that it was the most appropriate method for gaining firsthand understanding of the bouncer subculture. It defends the use of deception, acknowledging the potential for harm but emphasizing the researcher's commitment to safeguarding the participants' anonymity and confidentiality.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Covert ethnography, bouncers, violence, subculture, ethics, informed consent, deception, going native, participant observation, qualitative research, moral dilemmas, security risks, research methodology, research ethics.- Quote paper
- Lea Weller (Author), 2009, A Critique on the Article Get ‘Ready to Duck: Bouncers and the Realities of Ethnographic Research on Violent Groups, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/264578
