Research Methods #5: Observations Flashcards
Summary of Observations
- Observations in sociological research take several different forms; they can either be participant or non-participant, meaning that the researcher is directly involved in one but not the other.
- Although participating in observations gives a direct insight into social behaviour, this is likely to produce the Hawthorne effect due to how participants are aware they are being studied and will change their behaviour accordingly.
- Additionally, observations can be either covert or overt; the former means the research group are aware the observation is taking place, whereas the latter means the research group do not know they are being researched.
What are participant observations, and who are they favoured by?
- Favoured by interpretivists, participant observation is when the researcher joins in the activities of the group they are researching.
What are the advantages of participant observations?
ADVANTAGES
- Valid- groups are observed in a natural and authentic setting, therefore the data is more likely to be a true account of the group’s behaviour.
- Valid - data generate is richly detailed and offers insight into social behaviour.
What are the disadvantages of participant observations?
DISADVANTAGES
- Unreliable - being open-ended and subjective research, there is no fixed procedure or standardised system of measurement and cannot be replicated.
- Unrepresentative - most participant observations investigate small-scale groups that are not representative of the wider population.
- Not valid - the Hawthorne effect, due to how the observer is likely to affect the group’s behaviour, and the researcher is at risk of ‘going native’, meaning the researcher over-identifies with the group.
- Ethical issues - it is difficult to ensure anonymity of participants.
- Practical issues - there are issues with getting into the group, staying in the group and/or leaving the group.
What are non-participant observations, and who are they favoured by?
- Favoured by positivists, non participant observation is when the observer avoids any direct involvement with the research group.
What are the disadvantages of non-participant observations?
DISADVANTAGES
- Not reliable - each observation will be subjective, and therefore cannot be repeated.
- Not representative - involves a small-scale research sample.
What are the advantages of non-participant observations?
ADVANTAGES
- Valid - limited risk of the researcher ‘going native’.
What are overt observations?
- The researcher explains their research intention to the group, so the research subjects are aware they are being observed.
What are the advantages of overt observations?
ADVANTAGES
- Less ethical issues than covert because the participants know they’re being researched.
- Higher level of reliability than covert.
- The observer can openly take notes.
- Allows researcher to use interview methods too.
What are the disadvantages of overt observations?
DISADVANTAGES
- Practical - Time consuming.
- Lacks validity - Hawthorne effect.
- Less reliable - Difficult to repeat.
- Not always representative.
What are covert observations?
- The researcher keeps their real identity and purpose secret from research subjects.
What are the advantages of covert observations?
ADVANTAGES
- More valid than overt because there is lack of the Hawthorne effect.
- Research obtained is more valid because you have a first-hand insight.
- Find out more in-depth detail about why, who, where, when etc.
What are the disadvantages of covert observations?
DISADVANTAGES
- Ethical issues - it is immoral to deceive people.
- Researcher has to gain trust and acceptance (this may be time consuming).
Why are there issues with ‘getting out’ of participant observations?
- Re-entering the normal world can be difficult.
- Exposing activities leads to retaliation against the author, which poses a personal risk to the researcher. By concealing this data, the study will have reduced validity.
Why did Patrick’s study on Glasgow Gangs come to an end fast?
- After studying a Glasgow gang, being sickened by the violence meant he abandoned the study abruptly.
