Question

What is meant by the term "going native"?

a) Doing ethnography as a participant observer
b) Accepting a job in an organization previously studied by the ethnographer
c) Trying to learn to speak a foreign language as well as a native speaker
d) Over identifying with the group and losing research perspective

Answer 1

The term 'going native' refers to an ethnographic researcher losing objectivity by over identifying with the culture being studied, potentially compromising the integrity of the research.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term "going native" refers to a situation in which a researcher, often conducting ethnography, becomes overly immersed in the culture or group they are studying to the point where they over identify with the group and risk losing their objective research perspective. In participant observation, researchers take roles within the community to better understand social dynamics from an insider perspective, but must maintain a balance to not lose sight of their research goals. This phenomenon is different from simply observing or interacting as a participant, as it involves a shift where the researcher's identity and allegiance start to align too closely with the subject population, potentially compromising the study's credibility.