Question 2

I think that my role as a tutor in a school setting helps me to better establish a more mutual relationship in my role as a researcher. Because I am trying to do something that will benefit both the student that I am helping and myself, it allows me to create a win-win relationship while observing from a more research based perspective. In a sense, I try to establish some sort of working relationship with the students in order to create an environment based on mutual trust and respect. Given that I am more of an authority figure in the eyes of the students a balance is difficult to attain, however, I try to even the playing field and become a resource for the student, whether that be helping with homework, playing catch, or just giving them someone to talk to. In addition, I find that a general interest in their daily life beyond a "Hey, how are you doing on that math problem?" can begin to break down the barrier between observed and observer. Essentially, I feel like what is important in this kind of research is to remove the established titles and assumptions, and build an environment based on mutual reciprocity and community.

Thus, I do think that for the most part Cushmann and Moll got it right. I think that they are correct in saying that participant observation is not enough in that it is not enough simply to participate, there must also be some level of give on the part of the researcher. I think that their general sense of understanding and analysis both helped the community members and yielded the best results for the researchers.