Observations Flashcards
What is non-participant observation?
The researcher simply observes the group or event without taking part in it.
Example: Using a two-way mirror to observe children playing.
What is participant observation?
The researcher actually takes part in an event or the everyday life of the group while observing it.
What is overt observation?
The researcher makes their true identity and purpose known to those being studied.
What is covert observation?
The researcher’s real identity and purpose are kept concealed from the group being studied.
What are the advantages of participant observation?
- Valid: researcher gains a real picture of the experiences of the group in their natural setting, providing rich data.
- Good method for studying deviant groups.
What are the disadvantages of participant observation?
- Ethical issues: deception may be used, and subjects are unaware they’re being studied.
- Time-consuming: requires training and good interpersonal skills.
- Unreliable: lacks standardised method or control of variables.
- Unrepresentative: often studies small scale groups.
Give an example of participant observation.
Patrick did a covert study on Glasgow gangs, producing rich data on the speech and lifestyle of the gangs; had to leave in fear of getting caught.
What are the advantages of non-participant observation?
Valid: ensures any potential bias from the researcher taking part in activities doesn’t impact the data.
What are the disadvantages of non-participant observation?
- Unrepresentative: often studies small scale groups.
- Unreliable: lacks standardised method or control of variables.
What are the advantages of covert observation?
Valid: lack of Hawthorne effect means behaviour is natural.
What are the disadvantages of covert observation?
- Ethical issues: deception may be seen as immoral.
- Gaining access may be hard and time-consuming.
What are the advantages of overt observation?
- More reliable and valid information: researcher can openly take notes.
- Less ethical issues: informed consent is taken from subjects.
What are the disadvantages of overt observation?
- Very time-consuming.
- Unreliable: researcher must remember most data from memory.
- Low validity: Hawthorne effect may impact behaviour.
What are some uses of observations in educational settings?
- Gender and classroom behaviour.
- Teacher expectations and labelling.
- Pupil subcultures.
- Teacher and pupil racism.
What do positivists prefer structured observation?
It enables them to identify and make quantitative measurements of behaviour patterns.
What are the practical issues of structured observation?
Observations can be converted into quantitative data by counting behaviours. For example, Flanders found that in a typical American classroom, 68% of the time is taken up by the teacher talking.
What is the reliability of structured observations?
Structured observational techniques like FIAC are easily replicated due to their standardised categories.
What is the validity issue of structured observations?
Interpretivist sociologists criticize structured observation for its lack of validity, arguing it ignores the meanings attached to behaviours.
What is unstructured observation?
Less structured, flexible qualitative observational methods that allow researchers to gain access to the meanings that teachers and pupils give to situations.
What are the practical issues of unstructured observations?
Schools are complex and time-consuming to observe, with limitations such as school timetables and the need for privacy.
What are the ethical issues in observing young people?
Covert approaches are usually inappropriate due to their vulnerability and limited ability to give informed consent.
What is the Hawthorne Effect?
The presence of the researcher influences the behaviour of those being observed, making it difficult to carry out overt observations.
What is representativeness in observational studies?
Most studies focus on a small number of pupils in a single school, making it unlikely to produce representative data.
