期刊名称：Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods
印刷版ISSN：1477-7029
电子版ISSN：1477-7029
出版年度：2009
卷号：7
期号：1
页码：39-46
出版社：Academic Conferences International Limited
摘要：This paper discusses the role of the researcher as a participant observer and reflective practitioner. The paper aims to assess the benefits and limitations of participant observation, and offer guidance as to how to manage the challenges inherent in this technique. The paper draws on the lead author's experience as a participant observer when working on her doctoral thesis: 'Factors Affecting the Viability of Electronic Marketplaces: an Empirical Investigation into International Steel Trading'. It discusses the issues and concerns resulting from participant observation and how these were dealt with in the case example. The empirical research was a longitudinal study tracking the evolution of steel electronic commerce between December 1998 and the present time. The events examined in this study were observed during the lead author's ten years at a large steel producertrading house. As a trader and a manager, the lead author was directly involved in the conduct of business. The study represents the contribution of an industry practitioner and, as such, provides a unique insight into a real‑world setting.
关键词：participant observation; qualitative research methods; qualitative data; longitudinal case work; steel trading case
