Final answer:
The statement about Sudhir Venkatesh becoming more convinced in his survey methods after J.T.'s comment is false. It was J.T.'s suggestion to "hang out" that pushed Sudhir towards participant observation, which is a more immersive research method.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that when J.T. told Sudhir that the only way he could understand life in the streets was by "hanging out," Sudhir became convinced that he was on the right track using his multiple-choice surveys is False. Rather, this insight by J.T. prompted Sudhir Venkatesh to employ participant observation in his research, as he comprehended that mere surveys could not capture the depth of street life.
Participant observation is a method where researchers join people and participate in a group's routine activities to observe them within that context. This method enables researchers to experience a specific aspect of social life intimately.
It's a technique used by the likes of Rothman, who immersed himself fully in the social environments he studied. Sudhir decided that to truly understand the complex dynamics of urban poverty and street life, he needed a more immersive, hands-on research approach rather than relying solely on surveys or detached methods.