Observation Flashcards
Research Methods- Lesson 11
What is non-participant observation?
The researcher simply observes the subjects/events, does not take part in their activities.
What is participant observation?
Where the reasearcher joins the people being studied and takes part in the everyday activities of the group.
What is Overt observation?
The researcher makes their true identity and purpose known to those being studied.
What is Covert participation?
The researcher’s true identity and purpose are concealed from the group being studied, they pose as a genuine member of the group ‘under-cover’.
What type of observation did William Whyte use?
Semi-overt, so he revealed his true purpose to only the key member of the group.
What is the type of observation that most sociologists use?
Unstructured participant observation.
What type of observation to positivists occasionally use? And why?
Structured observation (non-participant normally). A schedual is made before the session so certain behaviors that the researcher is looking for can be recoreded.
Produces quantitative data, patterns and correlations can be established and body language can be observed from afar.
What are the two main issues a sociologist faces when conducting a participant observation study?
1) Getting in, staying in and getting out of the group they are studying.
2) The choice whether to use overt or covert observation.
How do sociologists get into the groups they wish to study?
1) Make contact, any personal skills that link with your group may help e.g. being good at pool to investigate a poolroom hustler, or you may have personal connections with someone in the group or pure chance.
2) Acceptance, having to win the groups’ trust, it may help to get close to one certain individual, could depend on personal characteristics (CAGE).
3) Choosing what role to play, do you disrupt or not, the researcher would need a good vantage point in order to properly observe the activity of the group.
What is a key problem with sociologists staying in the groups?
‘Going native’, the researcher may become biased if they over-identify, they may stop being an observer and become a real member. On the other end of the scale, the researcher may be too detatched which would arrise suspision and create personal risk.
What are some advantages of using overt observation?
1) It avoids the ethical problem of obtaining information by deceit. (E)
2) Allows the researcher to be able to ask naive questions that are important and may not be known by people outside of the group.(T)
3) The observer can take notes openly.(P)
4) No expectation to join the group’s activities. (P)
5) Allows combination of methods, can observe and interview. (T)
What are some disadvantages of using overt observation?
1) A group may refuse the researcher permission to observe them, or, may not show the researcher everything, gatekeep, no access. (P)
2) It risks creating the Hawthorne effect, where those being observed behave differently than usual, less validity. (T)
What are some practical issues with covert observation?
1) The researcher has to keep up an act and this may require detailed knowledge of the group’s way of life before joining.
2) The sociologists cannot take notes and must rely on memory.
3) The researcher cannot ask naive but important questions.
4) The new member may impact the group’s behaviour.
5) Can’t use other methods to find out information.
What are some ethical issues surrounding covert observation?
1) It is immoral to deceive people, researchers should obtain informed consent.
2) Covert observers may have to lie when leaving the group.
3) They may have to participate in immoral or illegal activties during their time in the ‘cover role’
4) They may have legal or moral duty to inform the police about illegal activity, blow their cover.
What type of participation do interpretivists prefer?
Unstructured, as it produces qualitative data.
