Crj discussion responses

1. Hamm's Skinheads is a puzzling look at how field research could go surprisingly well, and it seems odd considering the incentive was so low, and I have a hard time understanding why the group was so eager to do the interviews. It seems more likely that this form of research would turn out more similarly to Jankowski's studies, in which he was seriously injured once and was forced to commit crimes and be assaulted numerous times. Jankowski's study is a huge indication of a major issue with studying deviant groups in the field; in the field, people do not have the same safety offered in a controlled environment, like one with cameras or security. Research within prisons is likely to be much safer as well, as they are not in an environment that enables deviant acts. A good alternative can be internet research where you do not have to be face to face with those being researched, however, it may be hard to verify the identity of multiple people. To be put into contact, the person may actually have to be in the field, which is obviously a big safety risk just by extension of being around multiple violent people

2. When reading the studies that Hamm's Skinheads and Jankowski's I was surprised for the reason that these two person were trying super hard to get all the information they could. With Hamm's studies he mentions how he was mistreated by this people how he was always attacked by members of the American Front. But that did not stop him to still get the information he need it to hear, he kept visiting numerous citie sin the U.S tracking down the skinheads and he did found him and many places he mention they were easy to spot. Also, the way he approch the youths is was basically like offering them ten dollars and letting them know like to tell others too, if not he would send questionarrie but not all of them respondend back. Meanwhile we have Jankowski who he basically also traveled with the gangs members at first they did not believe he was a professor he was also attacked since they want it to make sure he was not someone else they committe illegal crimes infront of him to see if he would say something. Later on, he stood with them every where they went he was there he also mention how he fought with them could not stay neutral and also mentions that the only thing he did not do was participate in the illegals activities. When enganging a particpant research should expect that they are going to be attacked by them and to no expect the least always have a good mindset of what they could do. Lastly, dangers that it present is how you are physically there with this poeple who you do not know or trust and still getting the information that you need. 

3. here are a few potential dangers that can occur when researchers study gangs in their turf. The main one is the potential risk the gang members suspect the researcher is an informant. The researcher has to gain trust and sometimes even act like the gang they are studying. In Jankowski’s study the gang presented him with two tests to see whether or not he was an informant, they actually committed illegal acts in front of him to see if he would turn them in. He even had to get a “beat down” to see how tough he was. An advantage of participant observation is there is less prejudgement and the researcher is more sensitive to the study. Since the researcher has to experience their living conditions and a lot of times be a part of their lives, it’s easier to understand their behaviors. Researchers have to be mindful that they could experience illegal activities. Hagan (2012) mentions, “there is a difference, however, between knowing about something illegal and actually doing it” (230). This presents an ethical dilemma because as a responsible citizen, knowing about certain crimes should be reported; however, being a responsible citizen could cost them their research and could ultimately physically hurt them as well.

4. While using participant observations in research, there are potential dangers as well as advantages. As far as advantages in participant observations some include less prejudgments, less disturbing as compared to an experimental design, greater flexibilty, an excellent means of obtaining detailed qualitative data, and a natural setting. With that being said there comes potential dangers or disadvantages. These include time consumption, very expensive, over identification or dislike of the group being studied, problems with gaining access and acceptance, ethical dilemmas like privacy or illegal activities, observer bias, and it yields non quantitative data which can be an analytical issue. When engaging in participant observation researchers need to be careful in terms of safety. Safety comes first for the researchers and when doing any type of research in a natural setting it is crucial to be mindful of the situation. Often times researchers are not put into a controlled environent. Therefore anything could happen when doing their studies. There could be a limitless amount of dangers when engaging in this type of research. You just need to be ready for anything and have things go smoothly as much as possible. Hamm's Skinheads and Jankowski's gang studies seemed to prove this.    

5. Hamm’s Skinhead and Jankowski’s gang studies were very risky. There is always a risk of violence to the researcher with these types of studies, as you are chartering in unknown territory regarding how they will react to you – even if you feel that you are not a threat. I am not surprised to read that he was attacked by this group, as he took a big gamble in knowing the type of environment he was entering. Interestingly enough, he was able to get information by offering them an incentive – ten dollars – and they had the assurance that they were not being recorded. With Jankowski, he had to get the gang members to trust him, so he had to essentially become like them and participate in an initiation of sorts and be beat up. That is some serious dedication to research!Studying deviant groups on their own turf can obviously be dangerous as you have no control over what they might do, and you are leaving yourself open to being hurt or possibly killed. When one is in their own environment, they have a level of comfort as to what they believe they can do and not have to worry about being caught, so researchers who observe these groups need to be mindful of this and not expose themselves to unnecessary danger. When people believe that they may be vulnerable in any way, they naturally become defensive and survival mode instincts take over, even if there may be no immediate threat.