observations

Question 1

who favours them and why

Answer 1

interpretivists - offer opportunity for rich valid qualitative data

Question 2

who rejects them and why

Answer 2

positivists - impossible to replicate, low in reliability, small samples - not representative or generalisable

Question 3

what are the four types of obseravtion

Answer 3

1. participant overt
2. participant covert
3. non-participant overt
4. non participant covert

Question 4

Practical strengths (3)

Answer 4

1. Gain an insight into people’s lives (verstehen):
   - gain rich valid data
   - allows for a rapport to be built and a can therefore understand meanings, values and problems
2. Access:
   - may be only way to gain access to certain groups
   - eg may not be able to gain access to criminal groups in other ways as they may be suspicious of an outsider but may share info with someone who shares same way of life as them
   3.flexibility:
   - not fixed, can keep an open mind
   - can develop new hypothesises and research questions as you go along
   - whyte: stated he found answers to questions he may not have asked if doing interviews

Question 5

what are two practical disadvantage of using observations

Answer 5

1. issues when recording data: hard to record data, may need to take notes at end off day - may forget
2. require interpersonal skills: to gain access to certain groups, some people may not posses (like griffin)

Question 6

what is a ethical advantage of using observations

Answer 6

stepping back when overt: if group knows you are a researcher, you should be able to step back from certain activities you wish to not take part in

Question 7

what is an ethical disadvantage of using obeservations

Answer 7

witnessing criminal activity: if studying a criminal group this is likely, reporting activities would have an impact on their lives Paul Willis and witnessing the lads damaging seats

Question 8

what is a theoretical advantage of using observations

Answer 8

higher validity: sociologist gets close yo peoples lived reality, uniquely valid and insightful qualitative data

Question 9

what is a theoretical disadvantage of using observations

Answer 9

lacks reliability: positivists see it as unsystematic, impossible to replicate. Whyte: admitted his observation style is unique so couldnt be carried out identically by another researcher

Question 10

what is an advantage and a disadvantage of using overt

Answer 10

advantage: can ask questions without arousing suspicion
disadvantage: some groups will deny you access

Question 11

what is an advantage and disadvantage of using covert

Answer 11

advantage: may be only way to obtain information, groups may not consent to an overt researcher
disadvantage: you may have to engage in dangerous/illegal activites