Overt Non-Participant Observation - PERVERT

Question 1

Practical factors

Answer 1

Strengths: Overt non-participant observation allows researchers to observe and document behaviour in social settings without directly participating, providing a less intrusive method compared to participant observation.

Weaknesses: However, this method may still require researchers to spend significant time in the field, observing and recording data, which can be labour-intensive and time-consuming.

Question 2

Ethical factors

Answer 2

Strengths: Overt non-participant observation typically involves transparent observation of behaviour with participants’ awareness, reducing ethical concerns related to deception or invasion of privacy.

Weaknesses: Nonetheless, researchers must still navigate ethical considerations such as obtaining informed consent, protecting participants’ identities, and ensuring confidentiality in sensitive situations.

Question 3

Reliability

Answer 3

Strengths: Overt non-participant observation can yield reliable data by providing an objective view of behavior in natural settings, free from the potential biases introduced by researcher participation.

Weaknesses: However, reliability may be compromised if researchers are unable to fully document or contextualize their observations, leading to potential discrepancies or incomplete data.

Question 4

Validity

Answer 4

Strengths: Overt non-participant observation can enhance the validity of findings by minimizing the observer effect and other biases associated with participant observation methods.

Weaknesses: Yet, the non-participant stance of the researcher may limit their ability to fully understand the context and meaning of observed behaviour, potentially compromising the internal validity of the study.

Question 5

Examples

Answer 5

Strengths: Studies exemplify the insights gained through overt non-participant observation, providing detailed accounts of social interactions and dynamics in natural settings.

Weaknesses: However, such studies also highlight the challenges of maintaining objectivity and avoiding researcher bias in non-participant observation, underscoring the importance of reflexivity and transparency in data collection and interpretation.

Question 6

Representativeness

Answer 6

Strengths: Overt non-participant observation allows researchers to study behaviour in natural settings, potentially enhancing the representativeness of findings by minimizing the impact of observer effects and social desirability biases.

Weaknesses: Nonetheless, the non-participant stance of the researcher may limit their ability to fully immerse themselves in the social context, potentially affecting the depth and breadth of their observations and the generalizability of findings.

Question 7

Theoretical factors

Answer 7

Strengths: Overt non-participant observation can generate rich qualitative data that contributes to theoretical understanding of social phenomena, offering detailed insights into behaviour and interactions in real-life contexts.

Weaknesses: However, the non-participant stance of the researcher may limit their ability to capture the subjective experiences and perspectives of participants, potentially affecting the richness and complexity of theoretical interpretations.