Co-discoveries vs. interviews

A look at how using a subject's own behaviour as stimulus can lead to new kinds of understanding

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• analysis
• co-discoveries
• coca
• coke
• consumer
• ethnographic
• ethnography
• interpretation
• interviews
• learning
• research
• skills

[Ethnosnacker]

Mike, you are talking about film making. Most of us focus on qualitative research. And as much as possible, naturalism. Naturalism which can be maximised by not telling the respondent about the purpose of the filming. We have done paricipatory film making in documentaries (send me your details and I will send you a link to d/l of a unilever documentary in 4 markets) but the approach will cock up any rigorous 'research' explorations. In my view!

[Ethnosnacker]

Hi, minimising presence is very much about the temperament of the ethnographer who is filming. Minimising effect on behaviour is all about not telling respondents what you are there to do (other than capture everyday life). By not sensitising them to particular tasks, brands or occasions, after a few hours they stop trying to 'act' normally and they start being normal. Actually, peraps I will do a vblog on this very subject...

[Butbaba]

Heh guys, get real. What about the concept of participatory filmmaking. The contributors become part of the process. You give them filmspace so they you give them a voice. It is what Jean Rouche was always doing. I think your fly on the wall ideas are a bit out of date and voyeuristic. You need to involve your characters in what you are doing so that they have some power over you as the editorial controller. Best wsihes MIKE

[waddlefish]

Do you worry that your presence effects how people behave? Even though you aren't asking questioning while he shops, which I think is brilliant, how do you minimize your presence while observing?