Qualitative Research Methods: Covert Observation - Humphreys Flashcards
What did Humphreys study?
Homosexual activity in public toilets
How long did the study take?
2 years
How did Humphreys participate in the activites of his participants?
He was the lookout for the police when the acts were occurring
How was Humphreys able to take the role he got?
He said he got excitement from watching the activities but also could act as a lookout for police activity
How did Humphreys record his notes?
He wrote things down and then put it on a tape recorder
What did Humphreys do with some of the participants?
He told them about his research
What did some of the participants agree to do with Humphreys? How were they recorded?
Some participants agreed to interviews. These were taped
How did Humphreys gain access to lots of men for interviews?
He got their home addresses from their car registration plates
How many men did Humphreys arrange to be interviewed with questionnaires?
100
What did Humphreys say the purpose of the questionnaires were?
To look at the social health of men in the community
Did the men know why they had been included in the survey?
No
What ethical issue in relation to lying was there with Humphreys’ study?
Deception
What 2 things did Humphreys do with the information from the questionnaires?
He used it to find their age and marital status
What ethical issue in relation to privacy was present with using data from the questionnaires to find out about other aspects of their life?
Confidentiality
How did Humphreys justify his ethical issue breaching?
He said it would lead to a better understanding of homosexuality
