Observations Flashcards
What is structured observation?
Participant writes down findings in a structured sheet plan/ diary
What is an observation schedule?
Record and observed behaviour put on a schedule and set things that the observer is looking for
Advantages of participant observations?
Observers can actually see for themselves how people behave in study, higher validity
Less likely to “go native”, safety of researched, practical factor
Disadvantages of participant observations?
Observer effect may come into play, group members change behaviour, lower validity
Difficult for observers to see the world through participants eyes, lower validity
Advantages of covert observations?
Reduces risk of Hawthorne’s effect, higher validity
Makes it easier to gain access to certain groups, low practicality
Arguably the only way to do certain research
Disadvantages of covert observations?
Morally duty bound to report illegal behaviour, low ethicality
Cannot take noted freely and openly, festinger forced to write notes in toilets
Advantages of overt observation?
Observer knows they’re being observed, consent, high ethicality
Notes can be taken freely, high practicality
Researcher can check interpretations, higher validity
Disadvantages of overt observations?
Refusal/ rejection by the group, dangerous to researcher, practical issue
Hawthorne effect, low validity
Time consuming to establish trust, low validity
What’s the issue of getting in?
Getting in- hard to get in due to researchers characteristics
Example study- ethnicity, griffin, 1962
What’s the issue of staying in, and an example proving this issue?
Researcher risks “going native” losing objectivity,
Whyte- started non participating ended as non observing participant
Barker- “moonies” kept a field diary to avoid this
What’s the issue of getting out, and an example to prove this issue?
Loyalty to group, publishing research
“Patrick”- had to leave the gang due to violence
