Research Considerations p 70
Overt Observation
Covert Observation
Limitations:
Limitations
Strengths
Strengths
- research can't be carried out without a group's consent for researcher's observation
- observer/Hawthorne Effect
- impossible to replicate
- requires substantial efforts of time effort and money
- difficult to accurately record behavior while being in the middle of it
- documentation of events will always involve interpretation & reconstruction of events
- recording data is easier in comparision to covert because there is a clear distinction between roles
- sponsorship reduces the changes of researcher becoming too involved in a group
- highly detailed account of behaviors
- eased withdrawal in criminal or destructive behaviors
- research cannot be replicated
- recording data is difficult bc it then introduces being obvious
- difficulty in withdrawing
- may be difficult to separate the roles of participant and observer
- researcher has to quickly learn culture and the dynamics of a group
- full participation in a group produces highly detailed, insightful and experienced data
- avoids the problem of the researcher prejudging what constitutes important data
- sensitive issues may be explored in total depth
- difficult entrance into a group
- may be the only way to study people who wouldn't allow themselves to normally be researched, such as criminal groups