non-participant observation

Question 1

what is non-participant observation

Answer 1

the observer avoids any direct involvement with the research group

Question 2

disadvantages of overt non-participant observation

Answer 2

• the Hawthorne effect might occur, influencing validity
• some groups may not allow a researcher to observe them, as permission form a gatekeeper might be needed
• despite not participating, the researcher may interact with the group, and need to be sensitive about body language/ language, so that it suits the group

Question 3

disadvantages of covert non-participant observation

Answer 3

• researcher needs to deceive participants, which is unethical, as they do not have informed consent, and don’t know right to withdraw
• can be difficult to observe groups that would otherwise be difficult to access e.g. criminals
• use of a cover story means they need to be able to act

Question 3

advantages of covert non-participant observation

Answer 3

fewer skills requires than PO, as only watching

Question 4

why do positivists prefer structured non-participant observation

Answer 4

• watching larger groups for greater representation
• tallying observations leads to greater objectivity
• gains quantitative data
• operationalising concept to create tally chart requires skill

Question 5

why do interpretivists prefer unstructured non-participant observation

Answer 5

• produces qualitative data
• greater validity
• researcher has greater flexibility to record any interesting information as it arises
• less prep required, but greater skill to interpret behaviours seen

Question 6

why is overt non-participant observation strong

Answer 6

• no deception
• participants can give informed consent
• researcher gains trust, increasing validity and verstehen

Question 7

why is covert non-participant observation weak

Answer 7

• participants are deceived
• informed consent not gained
• issues of harm to participants and sociologist
• no right to withdraw
• possible issues of vulnerable groups

Question 8

practical strengths of non-participant observation

Answer 8

• less personal skills than PO
• no need to communicate or interact with participants
• used to study groups unwilling to take part in research e.g. CCTV
• avoid the Hawthorne effect if in natural environment
• can be used in an unexpected research opportunity

Question 9

practical weaknesses of non-participant observation

Answer 9

• hard to gain access with gatekeepers
• time-consuming and costly
• (covert) difficult to arrange
• (overt) with distance cannot see and hear everything

Question 10

theoretical strengths of non-participant observation

Answer 10

• more objective and value-free than PO
• structured: patterns, trends, cause and effect relationships, observation schedule for positivists
• unstructured: validity, insight, depth for interpretivists

Question 11

theoretical weaknesses of non-participant observation

Answer 11

• data produced may reflect assumptions of researcher, lacking insight
• artificial as researcher on outside
• small-scale lacking representativeness
  OVERT:
• interpretivists say they lack meaning
• Hawthorne effect
• unstructured as unreliable