observations Flashcards
what’s a non-participant observation
observe without taking part
what a participant observation
researcher tales part while observing
overt observation
researcher makes their identity known & is open about their aims
what’s a covert observation
under cover observation real identity is concealed.
what’s a structured interview
pre-coded behaviours being observed
what’s an unstructured interview
behaviours observed and noted by the observer on the needs of research.
what are the positives of coding
empirical, reliable, trends, positivists, representative
what are the negatives of coding
takes time, impractical, looses versterhen.
what are the three main stages of conducting an observation.
stage 1. getting in. some places are hard to get into without the right procedures, and equipment for example, getting consent.
stage 2. staying in- for example if you’re trying to observe a gang It could be hard to separate yourself from the observation.
stage 3- getting out, may be difficult because the people within your study may be relying on you and it may be relying on you and it may be difficult to re enter the researchers ‘norm’
what were the problems with getting in, saying in and getting out of griffin’s black like me study ?
getting in: strange to just show up one day.
staying in : going native & acceptance.
getting out : can’t just disappear/ or re enter in their society.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of wrights race relationships in primary schools in inner city schools.
getting in: the teacher could not consent
staying in: parents could draw consent
getting out; would be hard to just leave after forming attachments.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of Johnsons, teachings in a failing inner city
getting in: unethical to research without getting consent.
staying in; the school may only give a set time frame.
getting out; the school may need to help you get out, leading to the exposure of the research.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of Patricks observation of gangs in Glasgow
getting in: hard to get into gangs,- lack of trust.
staying in; things like initiations could be unethical.
getting out; gangs might not be able to get out/ they might not let you leave.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of hart and risley, observation of children from diff social groups at home with their families.- 3 year study.
getting in: speaking to the families, some may not want to speak to the researcher.
staying in; bias as researcher may have developed connections to the families.
getting out; could be hard to leave as the families might feel betrayed.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of laceys observation of anti school subcultures.
getting in: getting into the school could be hard, dos checks ect
staying in; people may not want to talk- no trust teacher would have to accompany student.
getting out; might not have collected enough data.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of willis learning to labour- lads
getting in: lads might not want to speak.
staying in; lads might not want to accept you.
getting out;. may not want to say what they actually think.
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of punches observation of the Amsterdam police
getting in; the police many not want him there.
staying in; police may not want his secrets shared.
getting out; going native
what are the problems with getting in, staying in and getting out of humhreys observation of gay men having sex in bathrooms.
getting in: ethical issues, watching the men might make them uncomfortable.
staying in; couldn’t make contact, could be unethical.
getting out; gay men might not want it published.
what are the advantages of covert observation
what are he disadvantages of overt.
under cover real identity and purpose are concealed.
can collect data without any outside influences.
practically easy to collect.
can’t go back, as they know they’re being watched. black like me study. reduces risk of Hawthorne effect.
what are the advantages of overt and disadvantages of covert.
researcher makes their identity known and aims.
could be hard to collect data.- Hawthorne effect.
willis overt learning labour ‘lads’.
would be more repeatable/ easy to get back in.
overt more generalisable.
what are the advantages of participant
disadvantages of non-participant.
observing by actually taking part gives you access to places you usually wouldn’t get into.
Patrick- gangs/ glasgow
build rapport because he was able to get into the gang and creat relationships, that he wouldn’t of been able to creat otherwise.
interactionalists would use this method.
advantages of non-participant.
disadvantages of participant.
observe without taking part.
don’t have to keep up an act,
Patrick was almost discovered, when he bought a suit with cash instead of credit.
valid, quantitive data. from their POV.
avoids unethical activities Patrick was handed an axe and expected to fight.
