Final answer:
Norton's research is an example of ethnographic field research, a qualitative method involving detailed, in-depth interviews to understand shoplifting experiences and the associated social norms and informal sanctions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Norton's research, which involves interviewing people about their shoplifting experiences, is an example of a qualitative social research investigation called ethnographic field research. Ethnographic field research often involves formal and informal interviews and allows the researcher to dive deeply into the experiences and behaviors of individuals concerning a specific aspect of social life. Norton's study might include discussions on the motivations, justifications, and feelings associated with shoplifting, providing rich, detailed data about this form of social deviance.
This method contrasts with quantitative research methods such as surveys, which might gather data from a larger pool but typically do not provide the same depth of understanding. Ethnographic field research benefits from the researcher's direct engagement with participants, akin to Rothman's participant observation, which allows them to record detailed observations and gain a nuanced perspective on the social norms and informal sanctions that come into play with activities such as shoplifting.