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Observation - Research Methods - Coggle Diagram
Observation - Research Methods
Participant observation
researcher attempts to become an accepted member of the group they're studying
STAYING IN
risk of 'going native' / over involved
MAURICE PUNCH (1979) over-identified with the Amsterdam Police he was studying
GETTING OUT
longer researcher stays in the group, they can become normalised to behaviour that would have been seen as unusual
GETTING IN
making contact with the group and gaining entry and acceptance
SARAH THORNTON (1995) made friends with a key individual to gain acceptance
used by INTERPRETIVISTS and INTERACTIONISTS
qualitative data
Overt observation
true identity and purpose is known to the group being studied
ADVANTAGES
avoids ethical problem of obtaining information by deceit
allows observer to ask questions only an outsider could
openly take notes
researcher can use interview methods to check insights
DISADVANTAGES
a group could refuse the researcher permission to observe them
risks creating the Hawthorne Effect where those know they're being observed will alter their behaviour
creates invalid data
Covert observation
ADVANTAGES
reduces risk of the Hawthorne Effect
LAUD HUMPHREY (1970)
studied gay men's sexual encounters in public toilets
only way to gain valid information
DISADVANTAGES
requires researcher to keep up an act and have detailed knowledge of the group
risk of cover being 'blown'
cannot take notes openly and rely on memory
JASON DITTON (1977) used toilets to make notes when studying theft in bread deliverymen
cannot ask important questions or combine observation with other methods
immoral/unethical to deceive people
addition of a new member can alter groups behaviour
researcher may have to lie when leaving the group
researcher may have to participate in immoral/illegal activities
under-cover
true identity and purpose are kept secret
Disadvantages of participant observation
PRACTICAL DISADVANTAGES
time consuming
researcher needs to be trained
stressful and demanding
requires observational and interpersonal skills
many groups may not want to be studied
researchers personal characteristics/identity may restrict the study of certain groups
ETHICAL ISSUES
deceiving people to gain information
REPRESENTATIVENESS
groups studied are small and do not represent the population
BIAS & LACK OF OBJECTIVITY
risk of 'going native' makes it hard to remain objective
loyalty to the group leads to concealing sensitive info
attracts researchers with sympathy for the group leading to them favouring the groups viewpoint
VALIDITY
a form of VERSTEHEN
POSITIVISTS argue that findings are subjective and biased to the researcher - they select what facts they think are worth recording
Hawthorne Effect
LACK OF CONCEPT OF STRUCTURE
MARXISTS & FUNCTIONALISTS argue it ignores wider structural forces that shape behaviour such as class inequality
seeing through one researchers eyes will never gain a complete picture
Advantages of participant observation
VALIDITY
observing people gives rich qualitative data that provides a picture of reality
INSIGHT
the concept of 'VERSTEHEN' - understanding through empathy/experience
FLEXIBILITY
as new situations are encountered, new explanations can be formulated and change direction to follow them up
do not enter with fixed hypothesis and pre-set questions
PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES
only viable method for studying certain groups
enables researcher to gain trust with the group as opposed to an interview
AARON CICOUREL (1968) study of police and probation officers unconscious assumptions about juveniles would not work by simply asking questions