observations Flashcards
what is an observation?
when researchers watch and study the ongoing behaviour of their participants
what is a non-participant observation?
researcher observes a group without getting involved- research is objective and detached
what is a participant observation?
researcher gets involved with the activities of a group, acting as a member to be able to understand what is happening from their point of view.
what does overt mean?
members of the group are aware of the researcher identity
what does covert mean?
members of the group are aware of the researchers identity
what are the strengths of participant observation?
*practical-
- sociologist gains first hand knowledge of the group being observed, without needing to ask questions as a trust has been developed
-overt -allows the researcher to ask naive questions which allows them to ask questions openly
-covert- some groups may say no to having a researcher so if covert they wouldn’t know
*ethical- overt avoids obtaining information through deception and can avoid participating In illegal activity and informed consent.
confidentiality- anonymity can be ensured by keeping names anyonymous
*theoretical- interpretivists
more valid, less likely for Hawthorne effect if covert, qual data verstehen.
what are the negatives of participant obersvations?
*practical-
- difficult to get in, stay in and get out- covert role may be adopted
- staying in will involve gaining trust and cooperation
- covert - keep up an act
- access- may refuse permission to observe or see everything
- cannot take notes and have to remember er fro. memory
*ethical- deception, lack of informed consent, may have to lie about reasons for leaving the group
-illegal activity by researchers
*theoretical
-positivits would dislike
lack structure, difficult to repeat - no reliability
-biased opinions from analysing data and behaviour
-hawthorne effect
strengths of non-participant observations?
*practical-
observation schedule- if obersvation is structured it can be conducted in less time
carried out by obersvation alone reduces risk that people will be effected by the presence of a researcher
access- conducted in a natural setting
*ethical-
informed consent if they are aware of study
safer for researched as they do not get involved and don’t need to keep up a cover
*theoretial-
positivists favour as if structured it can be repeated to gain consistent results and reliability
no going native - willis did not get involved
valid data with little bias
what are the weaknesses of non participant obervations?
*practical
- access
- time consuming as it takes time to see true behaviour
*ethical- lack of informed consent
*theoretical- disliked by interpretivists as the whole purpose of an obeservation is to get involved, if not, no verstehen
Hawthorne effect- participants may be aware they are being watched so change their behaviour
validity is effected as there is a degree of subjectivity as researcher must make sense if what is going on and make their own judgments.
what are the studies for covert participant observations?
*humphreys- interested in men who engaged in homosexual activity, homosexuality was illegal and he acted as a watch queen in these ‘tea rooms’. he then followed with interviews, disguised as a health survey and found that most were involved in a relationship with a woman.
*Patrick- was a teacher at a behaviour school and took up the invitation from a student to come and see for himself what it is like to be part of a gang. he had to change his clothes and speak differently to fit in. he witnessed violence and vandalism and left when he had to take part in a violent act himself.
what are the studies for overt participation studies?
*venkatesh- spent 18 months spread over 7 years observing a Chicago gang. he slept on couches and floor living with gang members. he observed very much illegal behaviour and gained insights into this gang.
*barker- making of the moonies- a study of members of a controversial religious group, at the time there was bad press and accusations of brainwashing. over 6 years she lived with the moonies and understood that they may change their behaviour. she found no evidence of brainwashing.
what is the study for non participant observations?
Paul willis- he used focus groups and Npos to allow him to obtain a wealth of information in a relatively small time. he used a Neo-marxist approach and wanted to know what a WC background would have on educational progress. he found evidence of an anti school subculture.
