Topic 3 - Primary research methods + organisation observation Flashcards
Observation?
A major issue with survey-based methods is that respondents may not always be truthful and may provide socially expected answers. To better understand behavior, observation can be used, where researchers watch groups in their natural setting. There are two types of observations: participant and non-participant, which can be either overt (open) or covert (secret). Ethnography involves researchers immersing themselves in groups or cultures, providing detailed descriptions but lacking quantitative data. Observation is favored by interpretivists who aim to understand how people experience and interpret the world.
Non Participant obsevration?
Non-participant observation involves the researcher observing a group without being part of it. It is preferred when quantitative data is needed, as it allows the researcher to observe and count specific behaviors.
Participant observation
Participant observation involves the researcher becoming a member of the group being studied, immersing themselves in its activities to understand the social world from the group’s perspective. This method is a form of ethnography. The researcher must decide whether to reveal their presence, with covert observation helping to avoid the Hawthorne effect.
Advantages of covert participant observation?
Covert participant observation allows sociologists to study hard-to-reach groups, providing detailed qualitative data and revealing why people behave as they do. It offers more valid data when groups act naturally and does not rely on respondents’ answers. The researcher takes a passive role, recording real behavior.
Problems with covert?
Covert participant observation relies on the researcher’s memory, which can be problematic. Gaining access to hard-to-reach groups can be difficult, and researchers must avoid drawing attention to themselves, which could disrupt the group’s behavior. Ethical issues, such as consent and deception, arise, and there is a risk of losing objectivity by becoming too involved with the group.
Advantages overt participant observation?
Overt participant observation resolves ethical issues like deception and consent. The researcher can ask questions openly, and note-taking is easier, leading to more accurate data.
Disadvantages overt participant observation
Overt participant observation may lead to the Hawthorne effect, where the group’s behavior changes due to the researcher’s presence. Additionally, the researcher may struggle with how involved they become, particularly in deviant activities.
Advantages of overt non participant observation?
Overt non-participant observation allows easier recording as the group knows they’re being observed. Ethical issues like consent and deception are resolved. It enables both quantitative and qualitative data collection, and the researcher is less likely to engage in illegal activities.
Problems overt non participant observation
The main issue with overt non-participant observation is the Hawthorne effect, where people alter their behavior because they know they are being observed. The researcher’s detachment from the group can also limit their understanding of the participants’ experiences, undermining the research’s goals.
Main problems of observation in general
The main problems of observation are that studies are highly dependent on the researcher, making them difficult to replicate. Researchers may struggle to remain objective, as their own feelings can influence interpretations. While the data is rich in detail, it may lack generalizability and may not be representative.
