Participant Observation Flashcards
1
Q
What is participant observation
A
When the researcher joins in and observes the group everyday activity. Eg joining in the life of a sixth former
Tend to collect qualitative data
2
Q
Overt observation
A
Researchers identity and purpose is revealed to the group
3
Q
Covert observation
A
Research is identity and purpose of the study Are kept hidden
4
Q
Practical advantages
A
- Insight
- Flexibility
- Access
5
Q
Practical disadvantages
A
- Time-consuming
- personal characteristics may limit what can be studied
- for covert it can be hard to take notes
- dangerous if cover is blown
6
Q
Ethical advantages
A
- overet PO - easy to get informed consent
- covert PO - may be the only way to get information
7
Q
Ethical disadvantages
A
- It’s immoral to decisive people
- researchers may need to participate in illegal activities
- as a witness, reporters may feel the need to report certain activities to authorities
8
Q
Theoretical advantages - interpretism
A
- experience
- generating new ideas
- getting the truth
- digging deep
- dynamic
- bearing naturalist
9
Q
Theoretical disadvantages - positivism
A
- representative
- reliabilityl
- bias and lack of objectivity
- no real validity
- Hawthorne effect
- lack of structure
