Topic 5 Observations

Question 1

Advantages of Participant observations

Answer 1

Theoretical
Valid natural and authentic setting
Richly detailed data

Question 2

Disadvantage of participant observations

Answer 2

Access
Hard to join stay and leave a group

Theoretical 
Not reliable subjective data 
Not representative small scale 
Not valid Hawthorne effect 
Not valid researcher going native

Question 3

Advantages of Non participant observations

Answer 3

Valid less risk of researcher getting involved

Question 4

Disadvantage of non participant observation

Answer 4

Not reliable

Subjective not representative

Question 5

Covert observation advantages

Answer 5

Valid no Hawthorne effect

Valid richly detailed answers

Question 6

Covert observation disadvantages

Answer 6

Ethical
Immorally deceiving no informed consent

Practical
Time consuming to gain groups trust and acceptance

Question 7

Advantages of non covert observations

Answer 7

Ethical
Participants give informed consent
Theoretical
Valid researcher openly observes