Sneaky Kid and Its Aftermath: Ethics and Intimacy in Fieldwork (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Brad--a schizophrenic school dropout and sneaky kid"--first appeared as a squatter near Harry Wolcott's forest home. He becomes Wolcott's subject in a long-term life history on how the educational system can fail students. Wolcott's trilogy of articles based on their years of interviews were well-received...until he confessed to an intimate relationship with the young man who, two years after leaving his shack, returned and attempted to murder the anthropologist. The Brad Trilogy then became the starting point for heated discussions of research ethics, validity, and the limitations of qualitative research. Here, Wolcott presents the full story of the Sneaky Kid and the academic firestorm it caused. He also reflects on what the project means for the practice of field research. A stage play derived from the study (by Johnny Saldana) is also included. Written in Wolcott's masterful style, this book is an ideal starting point for discussing the many complex issues of qualitative research."

About the Author

Harry F. Wolcott is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Johnny Saldana is a Professor of Theatre at Arizona State University, and his studies in qualitative research range from ethnography to ethnotheatre. He has written several articles on theatre teachers' perceptions of their practice, and young people's development as audiences and artists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: AltaMira Press (September 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759103127
• ISBN-13: 978-0759103122
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,046,441 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Educational and disturbing, February 16, 2006

By	Gavin W. Fulmer (MD, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think this is a great book for anyone getting started in qualitative techniques with education. You can see that even qualitative researchers are forced to filter their work to make it palatable, as can be seen by comparing Wolcott's description of his subject in the first chapters with the reality he acknowledges later. Admittedly, not all researchers have quandaries such as the author did. But you may find Wolcott to be arrogant for his refusal to apologize or even consider responsibility (which he denigrates as an overt social control mechanism).