Participant observations Flashcards
What is a participant observation?
A study where the researcher gets involved in the activities of their participants
What does covert mean?
The researcher’s identity is NOT known to the participants
What does overt mean?
The researcher’s identity is known to the participants
KEY STUDY: Humphreys (1970) - Covert
“Tearoom Trades”. Investigated gay men engaging in secretive sex in public spaces when homosexuality was illegal. Used participants’ number plates to track them to their houses, then asked them further questions claiming it was for market research
KEY STUDY: Patrick (1973) - Covert
A teacher who joined a gang in Glasgow known as the ‘Young Team’. Observed their violent behaviours before fleeing Glasgow to protect his identity
KEY STUDY: Griffin (1962) - Covert
Investigated racism against black people in the southern USA. Used UV lamps and medication to dye his skin black, then interacted with people in public. Found that racism was much worse than he thought it was, despite being a university professor on race issues
KEY STUDY: Venkatesh (2009) - Overt
“Gang Leader for a Day”. Spent 18 months over 7 years with a crack-dealing gang in Chicago. Lived with gang members and observed their illegal activities
KEY STUDY: Barker (1984) - Overt
“Making of a Moonie”. Spent 6 years with the Unification Church to investigate claims they were brainwashing people. Her conclusion was that they were not
What are some practical strengths of participant observations?
- Gains firsthand information on group activities, especially with groups where questioning would be ineffective
- Overt observations allow the researcher to ask naive but important clarification questions
- Access; some groups may say no to research, meaning they can only be reached covertly
What are some practical weaknesses of participant observations?
- Difficult to get in, stay in, and get out when performing covert observations
- Have to gain trust and cooperation of those observed, e.g. Venkatesh had to help beat up the boyfriend of an abused teenager
- Getting out can involve issues, e.g. Patrick faced threats to his safety after he published his work
- Covert observations require the researcher to maintain a disguise 24/7
- Groups may refuse the researcher permission to observe them
- In covert observations, researchers cannot ask questions which may give them away
What are some ethical strengths of participant observations?
- Overt observations do not involve deception and avoids the researcher taking part in illegal activities
- Overt observations can gain informed consent
- Debrief; participants can be told after the study that they were being studied, and what for
- Confidentiality; anonymity can be ensured
What are some ethical weaknesses of participants observations?
- Covert observations involve deception, and cannot gain informed consent
- Researchers may have to lie about their reasons for leaving the group for their own safety (e.g. Patrick)
- Researchers may have to participate in immoral or illegal activities (e.g. Venkatesh, Griffin)
What are some theoretical strengths of participant observations?
- Interpretivists like them as they can gain verstehen, qualitative data, and avoid the Hawthorne Effect (if covert)
- Open minded approach; allows the researcher to discover things that other methods may miss
- It is the best way to understand the meanings of social activities for certain groups
What are some theoretical weaknesses of participant observations?
- Positivists dislike them as they are impossible to repeat exactly (low reliability)
- Usually small sample sizes, making them time consuming and not representative
- Analysing data can be biased as the researcher cannot remain objective
- Hawthorne Effect takes place if overt
- Reduces validity as there is a lot of subjectivity
