Qualitative Primary Methods: Observation - Strengths and Weaknesses

Question 1

Why is valid data a strength for Observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 1

If a researcher is close to the participants then they can see life through the participants’ eyes. This is a Theoretical Strength

Question 2

What is the Hawthorne Effect?

Answer 2

The effect where the presence of a researcher observing a group could cause their behaviour to change

Question 3

Why is the Hawthorne Effect a weakness for Observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 3

It means that the behaviours of the participants will not match how they actually are so research will be less valid. This is a Theoretical Weakness

Question 4

Why is getting qualitative data a strength for Observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 4

It means the researcher can understand how their participants see and act in the world. This is a Theoretical Strength

Question 5

What is going native?

Answer 5

When a researcher loses all objectivity in their study

Question 6

Why is going native a weakness of Observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 6

This could mean the researcher does not fully document what the group says if it may harm them. This is an Ethical issue

Question 7

Why is flexibility a strength for Observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 7

Throughout the research, the researcher can change their approach when they discover new things. This is a Theoretical Strength

Question 8

Why are Observations being too small scale a weakness? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 8

It makes it not possible to generalise data to a wider population. This is a Theoretical Weakness

Question 9

Why is the research taking place over a long period of time a strength? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 9

It gives the researcher an understanding of how changes in behaviour takes place among participants over a long amount of time. This is a practical strength

Question 10

Why are Observations being too time consuming a weakness? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 10

It can take a lot of time to get to know the group. It is a Practical Weakness

Question 11

Why is the researcher being able to ask questions a strength? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 11

It allows the reader to check their understanding of people and/or topics. It is a Theoretical Strength

Question 12

Why is recording observations a weakness? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 12

Researchers constantly taking notes can be off-putting for participants, meaning it is difficult for researchers to constantly take notes. It is a Theoretical Weakness

Question 13

Why is being offered new insights by participants throughout research a strength? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 13

This could allow the researcher to do their research easier or look at it in a different way. This is a Theoretical Strength

Question 14

Why is Observation being low in reliability a weakness? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 14

There are no ways of knowing if what the researcher finds is true as it is impossible to repeat the research. This is a Theoretical Weakness

Question 15

Which group of Sociologists argue that Observation is low in reliability?

Answer 15

Positivists

Question 16

Why is the amount of qualitative data to analyse a weakness? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 16

Because of how much qualitative data is produced, it is difficult to turn into statistics. This is a Theoretical Weakness

Question 17

Why is access a weakness in Observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 17

Making contact with some groups who are wary of outsiders and them letting researchers observe them can be difficult. This is a Practical Weakness

Question 18

How is Observation a strength with sometimes being the only way to access some groups of people to research? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 18

Some groups are wary of outsiders but researchers in overt studies can become trusted among their participants. This is a Practical Strength

Question 19

Why is the social profile of the researcher a weakness in observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 19

Their social profile could influence the success or failure of a study. This is a Practical Weakness

Question 20

Why is guilty knowledge a weakness of observation? Is it P, E or T?

Answer 20

Because some groups that are researched may participate in illegal activities where the researcher has the choice to report them to the police or not. This is an Ethical Weakness