observations Flashcards
covert advantage
P = can be praised of Ron participant reactivity
E = this is because participants are unaware they are being observed and so will not change their behaviour
E = good because participants should show more natural behaviour which increases the validity of results
covert disadvantage
P = can be criticised for ethical issues
E = this is because participants have not been told they are being observed and therefore cannot be deceived and they have not been able to give consent
E = bad because they have to be fully informed about the nature of the study they are in and not be lied to
overt advantage
P = more ethically acceptable
E = participants have given their consent to be studies
E = good because they have the right to withdraw if they wish to
overt disadvantage
p = there could be demand characteristics
E = this is because participants have knowledge of being studied which influences behaviour
Ed = bad because it reduces the internal validity of findings
participant observation advantage
P = can be praised for providing in-depth in sight
E = this is because the researcher can experience the situation as the participants do, giving them increased knowledge of the lives of the people studied
E = good because it may increase validity of findings
participant observation disadvantage
P = criticised for loss of objectivity
E = this is because the researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they are studying 9 going native)
E = bad as it will reduce the validity
non-partiicpant observation advantage
P = more objective
E = this is because the researcher maintains an objective distance so9 there is less chance of bias
E = this is good because it may increase internal validity of findings
non-partiicpant observation disadvantage
P = loss of insight
E = this is because the researcher may be too far removed from these they study
e = bad because it may reduce the external validity of the findings
