participant observation

Question 1

Non participant

Answer 1

The researcher observes the group or event without taking part (eg researchers may use a 2 way mirror to observe children playing)

Question 2

Participant observation

Answer 2

The researcher actually takes part in the event or the everyday life of the group while observing it

Question 3

Overt observation

Answer 3

The researcher makes their true identity and purpose known to those being studied

Question 4

Covert observation

Answer 4

The study is carried out undercover - the researcher’s real identity and purpose are kept concealed from the group being studied

Question 5

Conducting a participant observation - getting in

Answer 5

Gaining entry to a group is not always easy, some are easier to enter than other - making contact- acceptance- observers role

Question 6

Conducting a participant observation - staying in

Answer 6

Once accepted the researcher needs to be able to stay in the group to complete their study - the researcher has to be involved and detached (‘going native’)

Question 7

Conducting a participant observation - getting out

Answer 7

Inpractical terms getting out at the end poses fewer problems then getting/taking in. But leaving a group can be difficult for someone who has become close to its members

Question 8

Practical issues - adv - insight

Answer 8

The best way to truly understand something is to see it for ourselves

Question 9

Practical issues - adv - flexibility

Answer 9

Surveys start of with fixed questions. PO research is much more flexible; allows researcher to enter situation with a more open mind

Question 10

Practical issues - adv - access

Answer 10

Sometime PO (covert) may be only method for studying certain groups. PO allows researcher to build rapport with the group / has proved successful in studying football hooligans (DONAL MACINTYRE), thieves and other outsider groups

Question 11

Practical issues - disadv

Answer 11

1. Always a risk of researchers cover being blown 2. Researcher cannot take notes openly and must rely on memory 3. Time consuming 4. Requires personal and observational skills5. Restrictions on what can be studied 6. Many groups do not wish to be studied this way

Question 12

Ethical issues - adv

Answer 12

Overt PO is ethical in the sense that people have informed consent. With covert PO there is deception - however conducting research in this way may be ‘justified’ if dangerous or illegal activities are exposed. Covert PO may be the only way of learning about groups

Question 13

Ethical issues - disadv

Answer 13

1. It is immoral to deceive people but researchers cannot gain informed consent 2. Researchers may have to participate in immoral or illegal activities 3. As witnesses to certain activities they may have a moral or legal duty to interfere and report them

Question 14

Theoretical issues - positivism disadv

Answer 14

1. Representativeness 2. Reliability 3. Bias and lack of objectivity 4. Lack of validity 5. The Hawthorne effect6. Structure vs action perspectives

Question 15

Theoretical issues - Interpretivism adv

Answer 15

1. Experience 2. Generating new ideas3. Getting the truth 4. Digging deep 5. Dynamic6. Being naturalistic