RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
CJ/SOC 405 A/X Z
Methodological Paper Topic
Length: 4 – 6 pages typed
Format: See page 5 of the syllabus
Grade Standards: See page 6 of the syllabus
Describe from your own perspective Kurt Wolff’s theory of “surrender and catch” as
found in his article “Surrender and Community Study: The Study of Loma.” Argue
whether you think Wolff’s model for doing field research is viable. You may use any
field encounters you have had to date to aid your argument, but you must also reference
at least one of the following authors: Barbara Ehrenreich, Michael Niman, Georg
Simmel, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Blumer, Mitchell Duneier. You may also reference the
American Sociological Association’s Code of Ethics.
This paper allows you to accomplish two goals:
1. Prove to me you have been reading and thinking about course materials (if
you have not been reading, you will likely do poorly on this assignment);
2. Refine your own methodological approach to your field project by carefully
considering the approaches articulated by other participant observers.
