Obeservations Flashcards
Covert observations
Where theresearcher goes undercover and the people being observed are not aware of it
Overt observations
Where the researcher makes the participants aware that they are being observed
Structured observations
Where the researcher is looking for and recording specific behaviours
Unstructured observations
Where the researcher just observes the participants and records what they see
Non-participant observations
Where the researcher simply watches the group without taking an active part in the activities
Participant observations
Where the researcher plays an active role on the group they are researching. They are part of the group
Evaluation of covert observations
+ Valid
- Difficult informed consent
Evaluation of overt observations
+ Informed consent
- Demand characteristics
- Less valid
Evaluation of structured observations
+ Reliable
- Could miss important information
Evaluation of unstructured observations
- Less reliable
+ Detailed, qualitative, in depth data
Evaluation of non participant observations
+ Access
+ Reliable
Evaluation of participant observations
+ Validity - accurately reflect observation
- Potentially lose aim
Hawthorne effect
The act of observing behaviour changes it
Example of participant observation
Simon Holdaway (1983): Inside British police
Example of non participant observation
Gilborn (1990) Race and ethnicity and education
