Observations

Question 1

What was Cecile Wrights study?

Answer 1

It was on the impact of racism on children. The study was based on the observations of four inner city primary schools where it was predicted that teachers would treat ethnic minority children differently. At the time she was carrying out her research there were few black students and she found that her African Caribbean ancestry produced agnostic reactions from white teachers. On the other hand she found that many black students held her in high esteem and would ask for support.

Question 2

What was Paul Willis learning to labour study?

Answer 2

His lads study

Question 3

What was Laud Humphries the tea room trade study?

Answer 3

Sex in public places

Question 4

What was Parkers a View from the boys study?

Answer 4

Participant observation. Observing gangs in Liverpool

Question 4

What does objective mean?

Answer 4

Someone who has no previous connection to the subject.

Question 5

What does a subjective researcher mean?

Answer 5

Someone who already has pre formed ideas about the subject.

Question 6

Whats a posivitist?

Answer 6

Someone who believes that it is possible to establish objective answers through quantative research.

Question 7

Whats a interepratist?

Answer 7

Someone who believes in getting information through qualitative data.

Question 8

What type of sociologists prefer observations?

Answer 8

Interpretists as they want to study every day life in a natural setting and it seeks qualative data.

Question 9

What are the four types of observations?

Answer 9

1. Participants 2. Non Participants. 3. Overt 4. Covert

Question 10

What’s participant observation?

Answer 10

This involves the researcher joining in the activities of the group being studied

Question 11

What is non participant observation?

Answer 11

When a researcher simply watches a situation or interaction and collects data from what they see without interacting with the group being observed.

Question 12

What’s overt observation?

Answer 12

When the participants are aware that they are being observed so they have given consent.

Question 13

What’s covert observation?

Answer 13

When the group being observed is unaware that they are being researched and the researcher has to adopt a cover story to explain their presence in that situation.

Question 14

What is a practical strength of either types of observations?

Answer 14

Money, either type of observation does not require expensive lab equipment, the funding body will be most likely to fund non participant and overt observations

Question 15

What are 2 practical limitations of observations?

Answer 15

It may be difficult to access certain groups such as criminals. It also is very time consuming especially if participant observation is used

Question 16

What are 2 ethical advantages of non participant observations?

Answer 16

The researcher will not be getting directly involved with participants behaviour so there is protection of participants. There will also be more confidentiality as researchers can ensure confidentiality as they can hide the names of those they are observing especially if it is non participant.

Question 17

What are 2 ethical disadvantages of covert observation?

Answer 17

1. There could be harm to researcher if they are observing criminal behaviour. 2. There wouldn’t be informed consent and there would be deception to the people involved as the researcher would need a cover story and have to conceal their real motives.

Question 18

What are two theoretical strengths of observations?

Answer 18

1. Validity especially if covert. 2. Vehesthan especially if the researcher has the ability to see the world from the participants pov

Question 19

How is the hawthorn effect a theoretical limitation of overt observations?

Answer 19

Participants know that they are being watched

Question 20

What was Howard Griffins study an example of?

Answer 20

His black like me was an example of covert observation

Question 21

What is an example of a structured observational schedule which is favoured by positivist?

Answer 21

Flanders system of interaction analysis categories

Question 22

What is Flanders system of interaction analysis categories?

Answer 22

The observer uses a standard chart to record interactions at 3 second intervals, placing each observation into one one of the ten pre defined behaviour categories. These can be then easily quantified. Flanders used this to research time with in a classroom.

Question 23

What is an example of overt non participant observations that collect qualative data?

Answer 23

OFSTED inspectors. The teachers no that they are there and the inspectors aren’t allowed to interfer with the teachers. It’s given government funding so they cant be denied access. Although it gathers qualative data it still can be subjective to the inspector who is observing.