observations

Question 1

non participant observation

Answer 1

researcher simply observes the group or event without taking part in it

Question 2

participant observation

Answer 2

researcher engages in the groups activities being observed, or takes on a role within the research group

Question 3

overt observations

Answer 3

researcher makes their true identity known to those being studied

Question 4

covert observation

Answer 4

research takes place without the observed group knowing the true identity of the sociologist/researcher

Question 5

semi-overt research

Answer 5

researcher may reveal their identity to someone in a group but not all

Question 6

3 advantages of overt observations

Answer 6

makes it easier to gain access to groups the researcher doesn’t have the usual qualifications for entry (e.g. age or gender)

more objective and ethical than covert

participants are aware they’re being researched so can write and record observations more easily

Question 7

3 disadvantages of overt observations

Answer 7

hawthorne effect of the participants knowing researcher is present

time consuming- longitudinal study

requires training an observational skills

Question 8

give 3 strengths of non-participant observations

Answer 8

it can be conducted systematically using observation charts (practical strength) so the data can be used to establish patterns and correlations (theoretical strength)

less time consuming than participant observation because the researcher doesn’t have to enter group under study (practical strength)

less intrusive than participant and smaller risk of observer bias (ethical strength)

Question 9

give 3 weaknesses of non-participant observations

Answer 9

explanations of behaviour are limited because there’s no researcher involvement and they not fit into one category and instead overlap within several categories (theoretical weakness)

researcher presence (even if covert) means the researchers presence may affect behaviour of group being studied (ethical weakness)

data lacks validity because observation doesn’t tell us about meaning (theoretical weakness)

Question 10

give the 5 steps of how to conduct a participant observation

Answer 10

1) getting in- some groups are easier to get into than others
2) making contact- need personal skills, have the right connections or by chances.
3) being accepted- need to make friends
4) staying in- need to be fully involved but also attached and going native
5) getting out- can be easy, problems in reentering the real world, problems of harming participants

Question 11

covert observation

Answer 11

the researcher’s true identity is kept secret from those being studied and in some studies the researcher may put on a fake identity or pose as a member of the group during their observation,

Question 12

give 2 reasons for choosing to use covert observation in research

Answer 12

for their own personal safety: especially in crime or gangs you may hide own identity to protect yourself when publishing research. Your participants may not want to be studied and respond violently to your request for research.

another reason is for interpretivists it will give more valid results. If your sample is unaware they’re being researched then their behaviour is more likely to be truthful. If they knew they were being observed the hawthorne effect may be experienced.

Question 13

give 3 strengths of using covert observations

Answer 13

more valid data- reduced chance of hawthorne effect and can see natural human interactions in their natural environment so findings are more likely to explain real life (interactionalists desire this in research)

first hand research: get a more detailed picture as things aren’t lost in translation

experiencing a group as one of their own means you’re likely to experience verstehen

Question 13

give 3 weaknesses of using covert observations

Answer 13

lack of validity and low in reliability: positvists dislike this method because of these and due to it not being scientific

time consuming: longitudinal and can’t write down findings so relies on memory for accurate findings (may take longer to accumulate findings)

ethical issues: danger of becoming too involved with group and going native (comprimises objectivity) and decieving participants (no way of gaining consent or research will be comprimised)

Question 13

observation schedule

Answer 13

using a chart to systematically observe and record data.
used in structured observation- produces quantitative data from which patterns and correlations can be established

Question 14

going native

Answer 14

where the researcher over-identifies with the group that they are studying and therefore stops being an objective observer

Question 15

hawthorne effect

Answer 15

where the participants are aware that they’re being researched upon and therefore change their behaviour

Question 16

observers role

Answer 16

where the researcher decides how they will carry out the observation (e.g. not disturbing the participants and being able to see clearly)

Question 17

ethnographic

Answer 17

a qualitative method where researchers completely immerse themselves in the lives, culture, or situation they’re studying

Question 18

verstehen

Answer 18

where the researcher is able to ‘put themselves into the shoes of the people’ they’re studying

Question 19

naturalistic

Answer 19

where the behaviour of the participants represents how they would normally act