observation

Question 1

theoretical advantages of observations

Answer 1

-high validity (real behaviour, natural settings, insight, empathetic understanding, flexibility)

Question 2

practical advantages of observations

Answer 2

-sometimes its the only available method

Question 3

ethical advantages of observations

Answer 3

-respondent led
-avoids master-client relationship

Question 4

theoretical disadvantages of observations

Answer 4

-low reliability
-low representativeness
-how valid is it really (observer bias)
-hawthorne effect
-lacks concept of social structures

Question 5

practical disadvantages of observations

Answer 5

-time consuming and expensive
-requires observation and interpersonal skills
-issues gaining access (hard to ‘hang out’ with students and teachers)

Question 6

ethical disadvantages of observations

Answer 6

-mainly covert issues of informed consent and deception

Question 7

what’s the difference between covert and overt?

Answer 7

covert=don’t know they’re being studied
overt=they know they’re being studied

Question 8

examples of participant observation in education

Answer 8

Mac an Ghaill (while he was employed as a teacher, ‘young gifted and black’)