The Hired Hand and the Lone Wolf

Abstract

Observation is a common methodology for many researchers but the observational process is significantly affected when the observation is by "hired hands" rather than solo researchers. Certain variables such as the characteristics of the observer position, characteristics of the host agency, characteristics of the research organization, and the nature of the project itself impact on the observational process. The impact differs from that on solo researchers when examining issues such as supervision and management of observers, cooptation, and exiting. In fact, the very structure of large scale research projects affect the observational process. The management of these issues is a critical methodological issue which interacts with other methodological questions.