The sociologist as celebrity: The role of the media in field research

In the literature on qualitative methodology, little has been written about researchers who become public media figures, either with regard to the research process or the researcher's self. In this paper I discuss experiences I underwent and roles I assumed while doing research on a nationally publicized college athletic team. Unwittingly, my relations with my subjects thrust me into a highly visible position which led me to receive much media attention. Press coverage precipitated roles I had not planned to adopt: these include active force, bearer of the truth, defender of the faith, expert, and celebrity. This paper assesses the media's influence on my relations with research subjects, on my relations with others (strangers, acquaintances, fans, boosters, colleagues, friends, and family), and on my sense of self. In each case the media were potent in redefining situations and relationships.An earlier version of this paper was presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, Detroit, 1983. I would like to thank David Altheide, Andy Fontana, David Hayano, Joe Kotarba, Peter Manning, Shulamit Reinharz, Carol Warren, Louis Zurcher, and three anonymous reviewers for helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper. In addition, Patti Adler and Jean Blocker provided essential support in all phases of the research.