Introduction
The development of science involves the progress of combining theoretical and practical knowledge. Every investigated subject of existing science is a mixture of theory and observation. The majority of social sciences, specifically sociology and anthropology, were constantly giving considerable attention to observational research. Cultural anthropologists commonly focus on ethnographic research methods, such as participant observation and semi-structured interviews. These data-collecting measures provide scientists and researchers with essential knowledge for understanding human behaviors and cultures. The purpose of this work is to apply research methods practically and conduct an ethnographic study of a gym. This research is based on observation and interviews with visitors and analyzes the specific culture of the place, and people’s behavioral features and habits.
Definition of observation and interviewing
Observation is an unobtrusive method of data collection. A researcher supervises a particular investigated field to examine specific patterns in participants’ behavior within the context in which they interact; anthropology commonly observes “a strong tradition of observational research” (Sandiford, 2015, p. 411). Participant observation requires the investigator to be involved as a member of a research field. General observation combines practical interaction with multiple studies’ research and ethnography (Jamshed, 2014). Participant observation frequently allows noticing aspects that people may feel uncomfortable discussing during an interview. Interviewing is considered a standard method of qualitative research. It can be divided into unstructured and structured interviews. The unstructured interview represents a conversation with a respondent and allows him or her to express the ideas in a suitable form; questions can be instantaneously appeared and answered by a participant during an interview. Oppositely, semi-structured interviewing requires a plan and a set of prepared questions for individuals or groups to respond.
An ethnographic study of a gym location
One of the urban gyms with a medium price range was chosen as a field for ethnographic study, conducted by participant-observation and interviewing of two male visitors, 20 and 45 years old. The data given by interviewees indicate that this place is visited by women and men approximately between 18 and 50 years old, though the number of male visitors is more prevalent than that of female visitors. Both applied methods of ethnographic research exhibit a substantial difference in behavior, interaction, and purpose of visit between people of different age groups. All visitors can nominally be divided into two groups: the first part consists of young people, predominantly students, who come in groups and within a specific interval defined by their gym membership. The primary purpose of these visits is exercising and improving their physical form; while the additional purpose is taking selfies and shooting the training process for a further virtual demonstration. Interaction is performed only between coursemates or friends, and the subjects of conversation are frequently not connected with current activities.
Another group of clients consists of people between 30 and 50 years old. The distinctive feature of this group is a connection between its members, established in the research field. Some members visit the gym over extended periods to become familiar with other members and attend the gym at the same particular time. For this reason, their purpose of visiting is entirely opposite; the majority of clients come primarily for communication with other visitors of the same age to share information concerning their work and private life. Cooperative exercise promotes the strengthening of friendly interaction as well.
Conclusion
Participant observation and semi-structured present two dominant formats of ethnographic research; they provide effective data collection to investigate human behavior and cultures. Based on the conducted ethnographic study, specific patterns of people’s behavior and interaction can be distinguished through the example of a gym community. Age and social level substantially affect the purpose of visit and communication between members; young people are secluded inside their social circle and include the social network in all activities, while more mature clients are open for interaction with unfamiliar people to establish stable relations through cooperative activity.
References
- Jamshed, S. (2014). Qualitative research method-interviewing and observation. Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy, 5(4), 87-88.
- Sandiford, P.J. (2015). Participant observation as ethnography or ethnography as participant observation in organizational research. In Strang K.D. (Ed.), The Palgrave handbook of research design in business and management (pp. 411-446). New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.