Fieldwork papaer - Assignment Example

This topic was chosen because, personally speaking, a discovery of something interesting, especially when unexpected, is always welcome and appreciated. Also, a review of the notes done during the fieldwork shows several insights on the interplay of the social, economic, and human capitals that made the Solano Canyon Community Garden a possibility. Community gardens create a sense of camaraderie among the people in a community while providing a new method of growing food. It is possible that the sustainability of the positive results of the community garden can be ensured if its causes are maintained and looked after.

The fieldwork approach for this research can be described as under contemporary anthropology, where the research method involves an extensive fieldwork featuring participant observation coupled with interpersonal interviews. This approach can also be called ethnography. Fieldwork is a good method for this research because it: a) helps get the “feel” of a place, b) helps to get to understand a society from the inside, and; c) provides the observational, factual basis for generalizations (OToole, Paddy, and Prisca 619).

Observation was the initial method used to explore the possible topics and issues. Also, field notes were used to so that even the smallest details were jotted down. For interviews, casual conversations were the starting-point. Interview notes were used and interviewees were addressed on a first-name basis, with the permission of the interviewee. The whole set-up was very jovial, warm, and casual that no one seemed to want to be addressed too formally. A few asked “not to be quoted” on certain issues that they personally deem as sensitive, and to exercise balance on the overall research, it is decided that everyone would just be under a pseudonym, except for the Master Gardener Al Renner. It is