Observations Flashcards
What was Cecile Wrights study?
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.
What was Paul Willis learning to labour study?
His lads study
What was Laud Humphries the tea room trade study?
Sex in public places
What was Parkers a View from the boys study?
Participant observation. Observing gangs in Liverpool
What does objective mean?
Someone who has no previous connection to the subject.
What does a subjective researcher mean?
Someone who already has pre formed ideas about the subject.
Whats a posivitist?
Someone who believes that it is possible to establish objective answers through quantative research.
Whats a interepratist?
Someone who believes in getting information through qualitative data.
What type of sociologists prefer observations?
Interpretists as they want to study every day life in a natural setting and it seeks qualative data.
What are the four types of observations?
- Participants 2. Non Participants. 3. Overt 4. Covert
What’s participant observation?
This involves the researcher joining in the activities of the group being studied
What is non participant observation?
When a researcher simply watches a situation or interaction and collects data from what they see without interacting with the group being observed.
What’s overt observation?
When the participants are aware that they are being observed so they have given consent.
What’s covert observation?
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.
What is a practical strength of either types of observations?
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
What are 2 practical limitations of observations?
It may be difficult to access certain groups such as criminals. It also is very time consuming especially if participant observation is used
What are 2 ethical advantages of non participant observations?
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.
What are 2 ethical disadvantages of covert observation?
- 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.
What are two theoretical strengths of observations?
- Validity especially if covert. 2. Vehesthan especially if the researcher has the ability to see the world from the participants pov
How is the hawthorn effect a theoretical limitation of overt observations?
Participants know that they are being watched
What was Howard Griffins study an example of?
His black like me was an example of covert observation
What is an example of a structured observational schedule which is favoured by positivist?
Flanders system of interaction analysis categories
What is Flanders system of interaction analysis categories?
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.
What is an example of overt non participant observations that collect qualative data?
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.
