Observation - Theoretical Advantages and Disadvantages Flashcards
Which sociologists identify advantages of observation?
Interpretivists
What does PO allow researchers to join and see? (Advantage)
To fully join the group and see things through eyes of people in the group
What does being placed in the same situations as the group allow researcher to do? (Advantage)
Understand the perspective of the group more than other researchers
What can researchers gain and generate from PO? (Advantage)
Gain completely new insights and generate new theoretical ideas, unlike traditional research
What does PO allow researchers to be? (Advantage)
Open-minded
What problem of questionnaires is prevented when using PO? (Advantage)
Problem of the respondent lying
Why can’t the respondent lie during a PO?
Because the researcher can see the person on action and gain an understanding of why the group members may lie
When researchers build a rapport with the group members, what may individuals in the group be prepared to do? (Advantage)
Tell the researcher views that would normally remain hidden
As PO takes place over a long period of time, what does PO allow researchers to gain an understanding of? (Advantage)
How changes in attitudes and behaviours take place
What does PO researcher reflect? (Advantage)
Everyday life
Which sociologists identify disadvantages with PO?
Positivists
Why aren’t PO usually representative? (Disadvantage)
Because they are vert small studied with a haphazardly selected sample, not making sound basis for generalisations to be made
Why aren’t PO considered to be reliable? (Disadvantage)
Because hey are dependent on researcher’s personal skills and characteristics, making it unlikely that another researcher would be able to replicate study
What is difficult as a result of PO producing qualitative data? (Disadvantage)
Making comparisons with other studies
What may cause a researcher to withhold sensitive information from the publishing of their observations? (Disadvantage)
Loyalty to the group or fear of reprisals
Why do positivists reject the idea that PO gives insight and an authentic account? (Disadvantage)
Because they believed they give a subjective biased impression
Why don’t the results of a PO have total validity?
Because PO records what the researcher sees as important which fits into their pre-existing prejudices
How may the Hawthorne Effect be present in PO? (Disadvantage)
People being observed overtly may alter their behaviour
Which sociologists see PO as inadequate (not positivists)? (Disadvantage)
Structural socialists like Marxists and Functionalists
Why do structural sociologists see PO as inadequate? (Disadvantage)
Because it is micro level, meaning it ignores all structural forces that shape behaviour
What is the only view that PO gives due to their lack of structure? (Disadvantage)
Only a partial view
