overt observation Flashcards
who prefers overt observation
interpretivists
what is overt observation
observation where participants know they’re being observed
p - advantage - discovery
example
. researcher does not have to worry about the consequences of being discovered
e. The Moonies were fully aware that Barker was a sociologist and studying their religious group
p - advantage - taking part
example
. researcher can avoid taking part in group activities -
e. Barker could pick and choose what she did and where she went allowing for flexibility in the research
p - advantage - notes
. much easier to record the observation as you can take notes openly
. validity
ethical advantage - deception
examples
. ethical problems are greatly reduced due to no deception
e. Barker gained informed consent from the leaders of the Moonies
e. Overt observation is more appropriate when researching schools because of the age and vulnerability of school children
t - disadvantage - hawthorne effect
examples
. Hawthorne effect may occur
e. teachers may put on a show if they know they’re being observed - may be used to doing this because of regular observations by ofsted and school managers
e. King tried to minimise Hawthorne effect by remaining unobtrusive by hiding in the classroom’s wendy house
p - disadvantage - consent
example
. some groups may not consent to being studied or may prevent researcher from seeing everything
e. Barker went through three complex stages of observation so she would be accepted
e - disadvantage - guilty knowledge
when researching school researchers have to decide what to do with guilty knowledge which could get pupils into trouble like stealing
ethical - disadvantage - anonymity
. important to maintain anonymity of the group being studied
e. particularly important in a marketised education system where a good public image is essential to the success of a school
