Participant Observation and Intensive Interviewing
Mixed methods research, which combines participant observation and intensive interviewing qualitative techniques, offers several benefits. One benefit is the ability to triangulate data, where researchers use multiple sources or methods to validate findings and enhance the credibility of the study (Bachman & Schutt, 2013). By combining different approaches, researchers can gain a more inclusive understanding of the occurrence under study. Triangulation in mixed methods research involves utilizing multiple qualitative and/or quantitative data sources or methods to corroborate findings, thereby enhancing the credibility and comprehensiveness of the study. This approach is rooted in the recognition that different qualitative methods provide unique insights and perspectives on a phenomenon, and by triangulating these diverse sources of qualitative data, researchers can arrive at a more robust understanding.
Combining participant observation and intensive interviewing in the context of police-community relations can offer valuable insights into the dynamics, challenges, and perceptions within these interactions. One way that the combination of intensive interviews and observations can be beneficial in uncovering detailed information on police-community relations is by understanding contextual dynamics. Participant observation allows researchers to immerse themselves in the daily interactions between police officers and community members. By actively observing events such as neighborhood patrols, community meetings, or traffic stops, researchers can gain firsthand insights into the dynamics of police-community interactions. Subsequently, intensive interviewing complements participant observation by providing an opportunity to delve deeper into individuals’ perspectives and experiences. Just like their term, intensive interviews usually take up as much as twelve hours over different sittings and involve extensive accounts and follow-up questions tailored to these preceding accounts (Bachman & Schutt, 2013). Through such in-depth interviews with community members and police officers, researchers can explore the underlying factors influencing these interactions, such as perceptions of safety, trust in law enforcement, or experiences of discrimination. Together, participant observation and intensive interviewing enable researchers to contextualize their observations within the broader socio-cultural and historical dynamics shaping police-community relations. For example, researchers may observe instances of community members avoiding interactions with law enforcement, which can be further explored through interviews to uncover underlying reasons such as fear of profiling or past negative experiences.
Secondly, the combination of intensive interviews and observations is also advantageous in uncovering detailed information on police-community relations by identifying perceptions and experiences. Participant observation allows researchers to capture non-verbal cues, gestures, and behaviors that may not be easily articulated through interviews alone. These observational data can provide valuable context and insights into the subtle nuances of police-community interactions. Intensive interviewing supplements participant observation by providing a platform for individuals to express their perceptions, attitudes, and lived experiences in their own words. Through open-ended interviews, researchers can explore a wide range of topics, including community members’ feelings of safety, experiences of police bias or discrimination, and suggestions for improving police-community relations. Conversely, by triangulating data from observations and interviews, researchers can corroborate findings and gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics at play. For instance, observations of tense encounters between police officers and community members may be complemented by interview data revealing underlying distrust or resentment towards law enforcement stemming from past experiences or systemic injustices.
In conclusion, in both examples, triangulation using the two qualitative methods enriches the research process by incorporating numerous sources of qualitative data, thereby offering a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the issue under examination.
References
Bachman, R., & Schutt, R. K. (2013). The practice of research in criminology and criminal justice. Sage.
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Question 
our book states that sometimes participant observation and intensive interviewing can be used in combination with one another.
Participant Observation and Intensive Interviewing
First, describe one benefit of using mixed methods. Second, using the example of police-community relations, describe at least two ways that using observations and intensive interviewers together could be useful to uncover detailed information about police-community relations.