P1 Research Methods - Advantages and Disadvantages of Observations

Question 1

What are advantages of covert observations?

Answer 1

1. Access
2. Observer Effects
3. Personal Experience

Question 2

What are disadvantages of covert observations?

Answer 2

1. Gaining access to the group in the first place may be a potential problem
2. “Going Native”
3. Observer Effect
4. Recording data
5. Size of the study
6. Generalization
7. Reliability
8. Validity
9. Skill and Commitment
10. Subjectivity
11. Risk of danger
12. Ethics

Question 3

What are advantages of overt observations?

Answer 3

1. It avoids ethical problems of obtaining information by deceit and when studying deviant groups, that of being expected to join their activity
2. Allows observer to ask the kind of naïve questions that only an outsider could ask
3. Observer can simply take notes
4. Allows researcher to use interview methods to check insights derived from observations

Question 4

What are disadvantages of overt observation?

Answer 4

1. A group may refuse the researcher permission to observe them, or may prevent them from seeing everything
2. It risks creating the Hawthorne Effect, where those who know they are being observed begin to behave differently as a result - undermining validity

Question 5

What are advantages of participant observations?

Answer 5

1. Validity
2. Insight
3. Flexibility
4. Practical advantages

Question 6

What are disadvantages of participant observations?

Answer 6

1. Practical disadvantages
2. Ethical problems
3. Representativeness
4. Reliability
5. Bias and Lack of Objectivity
6. Validity
7. Lack of concept of structure
   8.