Observations

Question 0

Why are unstructured participant observations high in validity? Ena please give an example

Answer 0

It is high in validity because subjects are studied in their natural environment and so what people do, rather than simply what they do.for example, Williams research into football hooliganism showed how football hooligans actually behave on match days and to crime and deviance they engaged in during the week.

Question 1

What are the 5 main types of observation?

Answer 1

Covert-secret, identity, purpose not known
Overt-open identity and purpose known
Participants-observe and join
Non participant-observe but do not join
Structured observation-observation are recorded using an observation or schedule check list

Question 2

How does PO produce in-depth qualitative data?use offenders as your example

Answer 2

It provides detailed and valid data concerning the feelings, motives, emotions and meanings of people being studied. For example some offenders commit crime for excitement, status, boredom, poverty etc.

Question 3

How does PO allow for flexibility?

Answer 3

This is because the researcher is likely to follow up new situations as they are encountered and changes direction when appropriate.

Question 4

How does flexibility produce a grounded theory?

Answer 4

Concord and hypotheses are grounded in things that are seen rather than imposed by researcher.validity is again increased as a consequence

Question 5

Why would positivist sociologist argue that unstructured participant observation is low in reliability?

Answer 5

PO is unsystematic. Each observational study is also unique experience.

Also the flexibility and interpersonal skills needed in the approach may mean it is difficult to retest and gain similar results

Question 6

How is going native an issue in PO?

Answer 6

Sociologist get to immersed in the role and cease to be objective and unbiased.this lowers validity

Question 7

Why did venkatsch admit to his data as being not valid?

Answer 7

He built a very close relationship with a violent subculture, this invalidated his study as he became to sympathise with them

Question 9

Why are there difficulties in gaining access in PO? And how did Patrick over come this?

Answer 9

This is because making initial contact requires good personal skills and having the right connection.

Patrick was able to gain entry to a Glasgow gang as he looked quite young and knew one of the gang members. It is easier to join a football crowd to study football hooliganism from distance.

Question 10

Why would there be problems being accepted into the group?

Answer 10

Researchers have to overcome people’s suspicion and gain their trust

Question 11

What did griffin do to get accepted?

Answer 11

Griffin took medication and recieved sun lamp treatments to change his skin and pass of as black when studying racism in the Deep South of the USA .

Question 12

Give an example of a sociologist that had issues going native?

Answer 12

Punch observing the police found himself actually ceasing and holding suspects.

Question 13

Why is it important to maintain anoynomity in PO?

Answer 13

It is important to maintain anonymity. This is particularly important to protect identities of people who may be breaking the law and could be subject to persecution

Question 14

Why do positivist favour structured non-participant observation? Why do intepretivists reject it?

Answer 14

It is quicker, so a larger, more representative sample can be studied

The observer remains detached: they do not ‘go native’and loose objectivity

It uses standardised observational categories allowing researchers to establish casual relationships

Interpretivist argue it imposes the researchers view of reality

Question 15

How does CPO eliminate the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 15

Pps are unaware they are being studied so are likely to behave naturally

Question 16

Why can CPO be the only method for studying some groups?

Answer 16

When studying anti-school subcultures, pupils may be suspicious of the researcher asking questions or where people are engaged in activities they would rather keep to themselves e.g humphrey research into homosexual behaviour in men’s toilets.or where questioning people would be ineffective e.g the police as they may cover things up, especially when dealing with sensitive issues such as police racism.

Question 17

In covert operation why would making open notes be impossible?

Answer 17

This is because it may produce a Hawthorne effects. The researcher has to rely on memory and therefore some points may be forgotten.william admits he may have made mistakes or relied on his own interpretation

Question 18

Explain one ethical issue of covert PO

Answer 18

There is no informed consent. This leads to deception and exploitation. When studying some criminalngroups the observer may have to condone or take part in immoral or illegal activities to maintain their cover role. Venkatschn became Gang leader for the day and had to decide on disciplinary matters that included punishing the members

Question 19

Give me one specific advantage of overt PO on terms of being discovered?

Answer 19

The researcher does not have to worry about being discovered. You are able to ask naive questions for example asking any criminal why they steal. The moonies were fully aware that barker was a sociologist and studying their deviant religious groups

Question 20

An ethical advantage of overt observation?

Answer 20

Ethical problems are greatly reduced, as there is no deception. Barker gained informed consent from the leader of the loonies

Question 21

What is a specific Disadvantage of overt in terms of validity?

Answer 21

Hawthorne effect may occur .pps know they are being observed and are likely to change their behaviour, this can lower validity.

This is a real problem when observing deviant or criminal behaviours they may become much more law abiding

Question 22

Why may consent be seen as problem in overt?

Answer 22

Some groups may not consent to being studied or prevent the researcher from seeing everything . Barker went through three complex stages of observation so she would be accepted .

Punch found out from one of the police he was observing”when you were with us, we only let you see what we wanted you to see”

Question 23

Don’t forget structured non-participant observation

Answer 23

Pre determined observational categories allow data to be quantified and comparisons easily drawn

Flanders pupil-teacher interaction