participant observation Flashcards
what is participant observation
researcher takes part in an event of the everyday life of a group whilst observing it
what is covert observation
study is carried out ‘under-cover’ so researcher conceals their identity to the group
what is overt observation
researcher makes their true identity and purpose clear to the group
what is structured observation
pre-set list of behaviours is made, and ticked off once seen
what is unstructured observation
making a note of all possibly relevant behaviours
what is ethnography
studying different cultures and societies
what is the Hawthorne Effect
individual/ group know they are being observed and change behaviour accordingly
what is a gatekeeper
person who controls research access
what is a closed setting
social groups that possess limited interaction and strict boundaries with the outside world
what is a field diary
keeping a record of observations
what is verstehen
developing understanding
what is going native
over-identifying with the group, and developing bias towards them
example of participant observation
Thornton made friends with a key individual in her study of the clubbing and rave scene
why do interpretivists favour unstructured participant observation
- gain insight
- not artificial
- flexible
- looking for all possible factors
- valid data
- gaining insight and verstehen
- building rapport
- joining the group helps to see it from their perspective
why do positivists not favour participant observation
- no patterns identified
- not large-enough sample to be representative
- not replicable or reliable
- biased
- missing behaviours not identified
advantages of overt participant observation
- participants can give informed consent, and no deception involved
- allows for verstehen and empathy, thus valid understanding of participants’ behaviour
- qualitative data shows a true picture, which provides a rich, detailed, thorough picture of society
- easy to complete a field diary
disadvantages of overt participant observation
- the Hawthorne Effect may occur, lowering validity of the data
- can be time-consuming, stressful and demands skill
- lacks representativeness and reliability, as the sample will be small and observation is open to interpretation
disadvantages of covert participant observation
- serious ethical issues e.g. deception
- no informed consent of knowledge of the right to withdraw
- debrief at the end would be needed
- lots of skill required e.g. ability to record whilst participating (needs much training)
- personal characteristics may limit who can be studied, as researcher must blend in
advantages of covert participant observation
- might be only method possible, when researching specific groups
- no risk of the Hawthorne Effect, as participants unaware they are being studied, increasing validity of data
advantages of structured participant observation
- less personal skills needed, as they simply tick off behaviours
- high in reliability, as produces quantitative data, meaning positivists favour
disadvantages of structured participant observation
- less flexibility, reducing validity
- to design tally chart requires skill to operationalise concept they are studying
advantages of unstructured participant observation
- produces qualitative data favours by interpretivists to be high in validity
- researcher has great flexibility to record any interesting info, rather than focusing on predetermined behaviours
- less prep required
disadvantages of unstructured participant observation
- greater skill required during observation
- cannot be replicated, lacking reliability
- not representative
practical strengths of participant observation
- if structured, ticking off behaviours is quick and easy, producing reliable data, more objectivity
- if unstructured, flexibility allows for open-mindedness, which can help to form hypothesis
ethical strengths of overt participant observation
- no deception
- informed consent given
- right to withdraw given
- less likely to cause harm
- researcher not put in illegal situations
- privacy and confidentiality kept
theoretical strengths of participant observation
- if covert, high in validity, achieve verstehen, favoured by interpretivists, depth given, gaining insight,
- if structured, reliability is gained, less validity
practical weaknesses of participant observation
- skill required (observational and interpersonal) especially for covert and unstructured
- sociologists can become endangered
- need to be able to record data whilst participating
- time-consuming
- personal characteristics restrict groups they can study
- gatekeepers and access
- issues with going native
- covert, getting in, staying in, removing yourself, stressful, relies of memory, need contact, need to gain acceptance and trust
ethical weaknesses of covert participant observation
- participants deceived
- no informed consent
- not made aware of right to withdraw
- could cause harm to vulnerable groups
- involvement in illegal/ immoral activities
- consider reporting on these illegal activities
example study of ethical weaknesses of covert participant observation
James Patrick’s study of a Glasgow gang:
- limited safety and freedom in career as in hiding from illegal groups
- possibly taking part in illegal activities, calling for arrest
- harm to researcher and informants
theoretical weaknesses of overt participant observation
positivists argue they are unreliable, as too subjective and unrepresentative, lacking objectivity, limiting validity as no accuracy
- not truly valid if participants are changing behaviours in the Hawthorne Effect
- generalisations cannot be made based on a small study
- unstructured lead to low reliability, bias, and lack of objectivity
