Topic 5 - Participant Observations Flashcards
Define non participant and participant observations
Non participant - the researcher observes a group by watching from afar writing notes
Participant - The researcher joins the group being observed and participates in their daily activities.
Define covert and overt observations
Covert - the observer conceals their true identity and research aims. Researchers go “under cover” and adopt mannerisms of the group.
Overt - the observer asks permission and tells the group about the research aims before the observation.
Give a practical advantage of overt observations
Access - some participants are more likely to allow observations if consent/permission this also let’s them be more efficient
Give 2 ethical advantages of overt observations
- Avoids moral problems such as deception
- Observers physical safety is less at risk
Give a theoretical advantage of overt observations
High in reliability as observer can ask questions and write notes
Give a practical disadvantage of overt observations. (Theorsit)
Access - a group could refuse permission or prevent them from seeing certain things
Punch
Give an ethical disadvantage of overt observations.
Distress - although conest is gained observers presence can make subjects feel uncomfortable. Feeling invaded.
Give a theoretical disadvantage of overt observations.
Overt observations create the hawthorne effect as subjects are aware of observation affecting validity.
Give a practical strength of covert observations.
Time - you don’t have to wait to get consent from subjects you can start the observation as soon as you want
Give an ethical strength of covert observations.
Confidentiality - as the process is unconsentual, those observed are often kept unnamed. Thus, any negatives aren’t linked back to those observed.
Give a theoretical strength of covert observations.
High in validity as those who are involved don’t know they’re being observed thus no hawthorne effect
Give one practical disadvantage of covert observations.
Limited access - in some cases, it may be hard to access the environment observed so resources and effort is needed
Give one ethical disadvantage of covert observations (theorists)
Safety - observers need to act to fit in with the group covertly and may have their cover ‘blown’, leading to violence
Patrick
Give a theoretical disadvantage of covert observations. (Theorist)
Note-taking - sociologists can’t take notes openly, so notes are based on memory impacting validity and can arouse suspicious making subjects act differently.
Ditton had to take notes in the toilet leading to aroused suspicious**
Define participant observations
Where the researcher gets involved within the observation and starts asking questions or getting involved in activities
Give a practical strength for participant observations (theorist)
Flexibility - doesn’t require a hypothesis or pre-set questions
Yablonsky points out certain groups are likely to see a researcher as a threat. Participation allows the building of rapport.
Give an ethical strength of participant observations.
Informed consent - researchers are transparent about their goals and roles. So participants can make an informed decision to contest.
Give a theoretical strength of participant observations.
High in validity researchers can build a relationship of trust therefore creating more valid data. Verstehen can be experienced increasiing validity.
Define verstehen
The best way to understand something is to experience it. Valid data build from ‘living in another’s shoes’
Give a practical disadvantage of participant observations (theorist)
Restriction caused by personal characteristics - you can’t study certain groups due to your age, gender etc.
Downes and Rock - groups have the power to prevent observation form people who don’t ‘fit in’
Give an ethical weakness of participant observations.
Can include the use of deception as some groups won’t allow access so researchers may need to lie
Give a theoretical disadvantage of participant observations.
Validity could be effected due to researcher bias possibility being loyal to the group studied ‘going native’ so its not a fully objective account.
