Ethnographic Study Proposal: Alcohol's Impact on Social Behavior

This assignment is a research proposal for an ethnographic study investigating the effects of alcohol consumption on individuals' inhibitions and social behavior. The student plans to conduct field research, observing people in a public setting (an ATM vestibule) to document behavioral changes associated with alcohol use. The proposal outlines the research question, methodology (non-participant observation), theoretical framework (symbolic interactionism), and data collection plan, including observation dates, times, and specific behaviors to be observed. The student aims to understand how alcohol lowers inhibitions, leading to changes in speech, body language, and social interactions. The proposal references the work of Shaffir, Dietz, and Stebbins (1994) on ethnographic field research and discusses considerations like gaining access to the research setting, the role of gatekeepers, and the importance of maintaining a neutral and unbiased stance during observation. The student obtained authorization from their employer to conduct the observation. The study focuses on observing people in their twenties and thirties to document the effects of alcohol and the changes in behavior. The proposal also includes an observation plan with specific examples of observed behaviors and interactions to be studied.

FIELD RESEARCH AS SOCIAL EXPERIENCE
(ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF INDIVIDUALS
WHOM ALCOHOL HAS LOWERED THE
INHIBITIONS)
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Observation of the effect of alcohol on people initiating lower inhibition
The aim of this study deals with the observation whether consumption of alcohol pull down the
inhibitions of the persons and recognize the conceivable variations in their performance and
conduct. I have selected this topic, as it proved quite thought-provoking and interesting to me. I
have witnessed numerous persons behaving strangely as well as with “lowered inhibitions” with
the effect of spirits at previous occasions too. I intended to perform this research study while
functioning as a “security guard” at an ATM stand of Bank vestibule in the course of midnight at
Friday and Saturday.
Summary of the Article
The article portrays the facts concerning the investigation as dynamic, continuing procedure with
many stages or magnitudes for collecting information such as getting in, remaining in and fast-
tracking out. The practice of getting in stands as problematic for the investigators in a situation
without being closer to the members. The entrance is peculiar by social background and
correspondences as well as the distinctions among the examiner and the investigated ones. The
greater the variances and the influences, probabilities of meeting become less. Gender remains
an issue which might have emotional impact the on the right of entry in certain circumstances
The understandings of “Joan Neff Gurney” projected that the undesirable features of a lady
investigator implementing short-range enquiries are negligible in contrast to the long-term study
which remained a basis of concern and embarrassment. Even if racism turns out to be a problem
headed for the members, investigators can overcome the age, gender as well as cultural
transformations. Gatekeepers ought to provide entryway to the particular site as required for the
researchers to exercise their programs instead of negotiating or contradicting to provide access or
allowing others to ask for formal authorization directed to their research studies in the absence of
them (gatekeepers) (Choudhary, 2015).
Analytical agreements permit the examiner to access and employ settlements with the subjects.
However, there remains no reassurance of support from either the participants or gatekeeper and
it occurs to be an enduring procedure. The Right of admittance to a research location is
correspondingly reliant on the institute, in the instances of official permission for venue is
decided by the consultant for administrations and companies although in less ceremonial
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background, there does not persist any authority and the investigation stands less disposed to
acquire consent as of the gatekeepers (Mannik & McGarry, 2017).. Likewise, the relationships
formed amid the examiner and the customs they ensure, impact on the position to enable them to
have access. Awareness of learning activates with the imitativeness of researcher that endures
over the interaction with subjects in a fruitful setting. Learning the controls of rope is affected by
enactments of setting of the study and the sensation of the team associates headed for the
investigator and the mission. It has resemblances to the experience gained during the phase of
entry to the location.
“Research roles” are predictable and frequently modify throughout the period of “learning the
ropes”. The part which is allocated to the investigator is serious this task (Najafi et al. 2016).
This formed a problematic situation in upholding a subtle equilibrium among participation and
achievement of insider’s viewpoint and there had a chance of disorder in case of accepting
intrinsic and excess support. It could check to get some meaningful outcome of the experiment.
Finally, author articulates that the relation at the field investigation has been effectively sustained
when the investigator found exciting variances among him and the subjects who participated in
the assessment (LADNER, 2017).
PROPOSAL
There are more than a few leads of non-participant surveillance as a result of no disturbance for
the researcher. The research is independent and neutral. In nonobservant involvement individuals
are quite exposed in enlightening their confidences to an outsider more willingly than identified
ones since they are more supportive. The researcher assures special consideration headed for all
proceedings and evaluates them as unique while examining their qualities and shortcomings
(Choudhary, 2015).
The social concept of theoretical foundation was “symbolic interactionism” which I related
through distinguishing individuals. I acknowledged the dialogues in wide-ranging ways and
become conscious about the representativeness of the individuals I considered. By inspecting
diverse exhibitions of numerous categories of actions and witnessing the framework of the
discussions, I endeavored to project myself expressively and knowledgeably in their situation.
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The observation of behavior and modifications to body language points to the lowered
inhibitions of the persons after consumption of alcohol either alone or else with groups (Mannik
& McGarry, 2017). I have preferred this performance to perceive as I have noticed the younger
generation, especially teenagers and twosomes sipping and enjoying with their networks of
friends and family members on weekends and gusting off spray. I will be witnessing teenagers as
well as couples in their initial thirties for this examination of the research proposal.
I intended to execute out my surveillance as a “security guard at the National bank at James
Street in an ATM vestibule nearby the front entrance of the bank”.
The persons continually walk from both sides where I want to carry out my observation. The
performance and conduct can be readily documented through indistinct speech, incapable to
walk appropriately, lowered sense of embarrassments, and confusion. I acknowledged manners
and activities in the middle of front plus backside walking when the individuals moved with their
friends. They generally inclined to use harsh and abusive language regarding others whom they
“just met or even about their friends”.
My plan for observation started while sitting at the counter of ATM and witnessing the
individuals who walked outside single-handedly or else with friends as well as who waited near
the forward-facing entry of “the bank aimed at their cab, since it was cold in the external space.
There remained no gatekeepers, and furthermore, the persons could stride close by the front door
of the bank effortlessly due to automatic door. For the surveillance, I took authorization from my
employer. I intended to remain unspecified and unbiased by being independent and neutral as
regards any measures I encountered. I put my headphones and concentrated to my focus silently.
Plan for Observation
Date Place Time Events
15 March 2019 National bank, James
street in an ATM
vestibule near the front
entrance of the bank.
11:00pm-12:00am. Weather remained
cold outside, people
were coming and
going. I heard loud
speeches from the
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road and saw a five
persons in early
twenties singing
deafeningly. I faced
trouble in
understanding their
particular words as
they were inaudible
They were
constructing plans
to visit some club to
have fun They were
being violent to
each other
Then two males in
late twenties
stumbled to walk
They approached
the front entry to
warm them. They
were excessive
friendly and chatted
in pleasant manner
amongst them.
1:00am-2:00am The weather was
worse along with
temperature which
dropped a bit more.
I observed an old
person in late fifties
muttering to himself
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and wandering
about He searched
something in
garbage and waved
me with unusual
manner. There were
less possibilities of
being drunk.
A couple in early
thirty’s came with
strikingly drunk.
She fell down once.
Engaging in PDA,
kissed each other
uttering love-words
The man called the
“cab from the pay
receiver and the
woman again fell
down”.
16 March 2019 National bank, James
street in an ATM
vestibule near the front
entrance of the bank.
1:00 pm-2:00 pm,
5:00—6:00pm
The climate outside
was cold, as well as
two ladies in early
thirty’s arrived
while coming up for
their cab. They
conversed that they
had sufficiently to
drink and remained
nearer to each other.
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One of them said
“Jen had a boob job
and it’s too obvious.
We have nice boobs
and we don’t need a
boob job.” They
laughed loudly and
left when the cab
came.
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References
Choudhary, A. (2015, September 02). Participant Observation and Non-Participant Observation.
Retrieved from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/social-research/data-collection/
participant-observation-and-non-participant-observation/64510
LADNER, S. (2017). Ethnographic Research Design. Ethnographic Praxis In Industry
Conference Proceedings, 2017(1), 500-500. doi: 10.1111/1559-8918.2017.01188
Mannik, L., & McGarry, K. (2017). Practicing Ethnography: A Student Guide to Method and
Methodology. Toronto : University of Toronto Press.
Najafi, T. F., Roudsari, R. L., Ebrahimipour, H., & Bahri, N. (2016). Observation in Grounded
Theory and Ethnography: What are the Differences? Iranian Red Crescent Medical
Journal, 18(11).
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