Participant observation as a gofer

From useful outsiders to useless insiders

Abstract

  The purpose of this study is to consider the significance of participant observation as a gofer (a chore worker). For nearly 20 years, the author has conducted participant observation in Hiroshima City and Okinawa as a gofer of young biker gangs and Yankees. The surveys enabled the author to learn the way of life of gofers in Okinawa’s construction industry. This meant creating a social relationship wherein one lacks ability (lending) and constantly offers their time to seniors (borrowing). This relationship can be classified as a gift-like social relationship, created by loans and debts that are not fully paid.

  In order to demonstrate the validity of a gofer’s position for participant observation, the axis that measures the inside and outside of society, demonstrating whether the researcher is an outsider (observer) or an insider (participant) of the society being studied, was intersected with the axis of contribution, which shows whether or not the researcher is fulfilling their assigned role in the society; the gofer was positioned within those axes. According to this classification, they can be organized into four positions: (1) useless outsiders, (2) useful outsiders, (3) useless insiders, and (4) useful insiders. The aim of social research is to build a rapport (relationship of trust) with participants, for which the ideal position is that of a useful outsider. Conflicts of interest with research participants must be avoided, or minimized, and debts and loans, if any, should be settled on the spot. In contrast, participant observation as a useless insider (gofer), actively positions the creation of loans and debts between research participants and does not avoid becoming involved in the lives of the society or people under study. In this study, the author summarizes how gofers, who are in an unstable position and involved in social relationships (interests), can be effective in conducting participant observation.