I am confused by the suggestion you received as it seems to me that the two approaches are antithetical. This is because a normative approach starts with a view of what values should be. It creates a norm (or set of norms) and applies it to the context and phenomena under study. It is a deductive and a priori process. Participant observations, on the other hand, seem to refer to an value-free approach which in a more grounded way draws norms of behaviours and values from the context under study. In this sense it is more inductive.

However, participants observations can be used as methods to collect data which prove or disprove the validity of the normative framework. I wonder whether this is what the reviewer had in mind.

Sounds like an ethnographic study that focuses on what is occurring and how to improve

I guess that normative approach is focused on the way like things must be. Participant observation is related with living inside the studied problem / issue / community. Some more information for better advicing?

I am confused by the suggestion you received as it seems to me that the two approaches are antithetical. This is because a normative approach starts with a view of what values should be. It creates a norm (or set of norms) and applies it to the context and phenomena under study. It is a deductive and a priori process. Participant observations, on the other hand, seem to refer to an value-free approach which in a more grounded way draws norms of behaviours and values from the context under study. In this sense it is more inductive.

However, participants observations can be used as methods to collect data which prove or disprove the validity of the normative framework. I wonder whether this is what the reviewer had in mind.

I try to say it very simple: a normative approach: you have an idea/ a theory about the reality and with your work you verify your ideas. a participant observation: you observate the social field directly and try to find answers/ a theory this way.

Participant observation is the process enabling researchers to learn about the activities of the people under study in the natural setting through observing and participating in those activities

Most challenging and must need qualityfor a researcher while using this method: Maintaining objectivity through distance

This method involves field work which it self is mix of many tools as follows :

1. Gaining entry into the community and rapport with the target group you want to study

2. Selecting key informants/ sample

3. Participating in as many different activities as are allowed by the community

4. Observation of activities and understanding non verbal communications

5. Triangulation with members

6. Formal and informal interviews and Focus Group Discussions

7. Structured field notes to facilitate the development of a narrative that explains various cultural aspects to the reader.

The theory you know about a phenomenon ( Normative) will be tested using participtory method. Thus the normative and participatory methods are complimentary to each other

Hope it is clear - Vilas

Vilas,

I really appreciate your answer. I think its explanatory. But please, i will appreciate a little detailed explanation on normative approach just as you did for participant observation. Thanks

Andres Domiguez,

From your explanation of normative approach, do you mean that that approach entails the formulation of my own theory of how certain values or tenets in the society should be or a moral perspective of "law as it ought to be" as against "law as it is being practiced" by the members of the community

Juliane Probst,

I really like your succinct contribution. But please I will appreciate if you could use some graphical examples to explain those contributions. Thank you

I tried to aswer the normative methods s follows

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Normative methods = forecasting methods

They start with desired future/objectives and seek to identify the resources, actions, circumstances required to achieve them

For ex ample: Relevance Trees:

This is a analytical technique where in a big topic/ problem is divided in to smaller and smaller topics to show all possible paths to reach objectives

This method is useful to analyse situation with high complexity, identify problems and solutions, come with optimum solution. Sometimes it is also used for estimation of costs and duration of implementing a particular policy

Study subjects = stakeholders directly concerned with the issue under study.

Steps for a normative approach:

Define the problem with utmost clarity

Identify and develop all parameters toward a solution

Build a matrix of solutions

Evaluate the feasibility of the solutions identified

Analyse why the solution are best options

Merits of this method: It works well when the researcher/facilitator have good understanding of the problem under study, should be able stimulate thoughts and possess the ability to make critical judgements.

Good luck, Vils

Thanks Vilas

The normative approach is the theoretical approach.  Researchers are employed different methods to test the theory. 

My understanding is similar to Christina, a normative approach starts with a view of what values should be. And applies it to the context and phenomena under study