Topic 6 Observations

Question 1

What is overt observation?

Answer 1

Participants are aware of the researchers real identity

Question 2

What is covert observation?

Answer 2

An observation where the person does not know that they are being watched. the researcher claims to be someone they are not

Question 3

What is participant observation?

Answer 3

the researcher is involved in the situation

Question 4

What is non-participant observation?

Answer 4

Researcher observes without taking part

Question 5

what are the practical advantages of covert observation?

Answer 5

-covert is the only way to study people who don’t want to be studied

Question 6

what are the practical disadvantages?

Answer 6

-it can be expensive and time consuming to get in, stay in and get out

-strong social skills are needed

-sociologists need to have the right characteristics to fit in

Question 7

what are the ethical disadvantages?

Answer 7

-participants are unable to give consent
-may cause psychological harm
-sociologists may have to involve themselves with illegal activity

Question 8

what theoretical perspective favours this?

Answer 8

interpretivists

Question 9

what are the theoretical advantages?

Answer 9

-the Hawthorne effect will be avoided
-gives a first hand insight
-empathy

Question 10

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 10

a study’s results are affected by participant’s knowledge that they are taking part in an experience or being treated differently than usual

Question 11

what are the theoretical disadvantages?

Answer 11

• observation is unstructured = not reliable
  -takes a long time = unlikely to be representative
• sociologist may ‘go native’ which loses objectivity = not valid

Question 12

what is ‘going native’?

Answer 12

When the sociologist gives up research to join the group or person they are studying

Question 13

what is the difference between overt participant and covert participant research?

Answer 13

-when a sociologist is open about their identity, time and money is saved
-however, overt=hawthore effect and this will impact validity

Question 14

what is the difference between covert non participant and covert participant research?

Answer 14

-watching from a distance means the sociologist wont get involved with illegal activity. this is still unethical though
-non participant: more difficult to understand what is going on

Question 15

what is the difference between overt non participant and covert participant research?

Answer 15

-participants knowing they are being watched will lead to the hawthorne effect
-covert is far more ethical: the sociologist wont have to get involved with illegal activity