Non-participant observations

Question 1

What are non-participant observations?

Answer 1

A study where the researcher watches a group taking part in activities, but does not get involved

Question 2

KEY STUDY: Willis (1977) - Overt

Answer 2

“Learning to Labour”. Group interviews and non-participant observations with 12 working class ‘lads’ who created an anti-school subculture. Willis believed they were working class heroes who were going against capitalist ideas

Question 3

What are some practical strengths of non-participant observations?

Answer 3

• Observation schedule; if it is structured then it can take less time to complete than participants observations
• Reduces the impact that the researcher has on the participants as they are not getting involved
• Can be easy to gain access as they are usually conducted in natural settings

Question 4

What are some practical weaknesses of non-participant observations?

Answer 4

• Difficult to gain access to certain groups, e.g. criminals
• Time-consuming as it takes time to see participants’ true behaviour

Question 5

What are some ethical strengths of non-participant observations?

Answer 5

• Informed consent is gained as participants are aware they are in a study (if overt)
• Safer for the researcher as they do not need to prove themselves to gain the group’s trust

Question 6

What are some ethical weaknesses of non-participant observations?

Answer 6

• Lack of informed consent; researchers may not reveal the true meaning of the study in order to gain valid data
• Lack of informed consent; non-participant observations may be used with groups that are unwilling to cooperate

Question 7

What are some theoretical strengths of non-participant observations?

Answer 7

• Positivists like them as, if they are structured, they are easy to repeat, making them reliable
• No risk of researchers going native
• Little risk of interviewer bias as they do not get involved, increasing validity

Question 8

What are some theoretical weaknesses of non-participant observations?

Answer 8

• Interpretivists dislike this method, as it does not gain verstehen because they do not get involved
• Hawthorne effect takes place (if covert)
• Reduces validity as there is a lot of subjectivity