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 overt observation?

Answer 5

• avoids having to join in activity - safer
• allows the researcher to ask questions only outsiders could ask and openly take notes

Question 6

What are the practical disadvantages of overt observation?

Answer 6

• deviant groups may refuse access, so won’t be representative
• Hawthorne effect - people may change their behaviour as they’re aware, making it invalid

Question 7

What are the ethical advantages of overt observation?

Answer 7

• informed consent - participants give consent
• deceit - people are aware they’re being observed, no deceit

Question 8

What are the ethical disadvantages of overt observation?

Answer 8

• involves working with vulnerable groups
• may involve working with criminals, unsafe

Question 9

What are the theoretical advantages of overt observation?

Answer 9

Interpretivists favour
- valid - more natural behaviour as its over a long time
- verstehen - research an depth as its over a long time

Question 10

What are the theoretical disadvantages of overt observation?

Answer 10

Positivists dislike
- not representative - can’t get access to everyone so won’t be able to make adequate generalisations
- not reliable - people act in a socially desirable way

Question 11

Give an example of overt observation?

Answer 11

Williams - cocaine kids
- he observed 8 latino and black young cocaine dealers in NYC from 1982 to 1986

Question 12

what are the practical advantages of covert observation?

Answer 12

• access to groups that are closed to outsider - gives data unavailable to outsiders
• covert is the only way to study people who don’t want to be studied
• aren’t aware they’re being observed, won’t act differently

Question 13

what are the practical disadvantages of covert observation?

Answer 13

• may need to commit deviant acts to be accepted
• time consuming, time to find a connection without group being suspicious

Question 14

what are the ethical advantages of covert observation?

Answer 14

• debrief after event - can tell respondents they’ve been observed at the end
• anonymity and confidentiality - names are left out of reports

Question 15

what are the ethical disadvantages of covert observation?

Answer 15

• deception - participants aren’t aware they’re being watched
• psychological harm - may need to commit criminal activities, may think the researcher is a friend, causes harm

Question 16

what are the theoretical advantages of covert observation?

Answer 16

Interpretivists favour
- validity - shows true picture of behaviour
- verstehen - can ask insider questions giving depth

Question 17

what are the theoretical disadvantages of covert observation?

Answer 17

Positivists dislike
- not reliable - respondents may not trust the observer
- not representative - can’t observe many groups

Question 18

what are the practical advantages of participant observation?

Answer 18

• allows the research to build a rapport, getting information outsiders wouldn’t get
• flexible - sociologists can change direction to follow things up

Question 19

what are the practical disadvantages of participant observation?

Answer 19

-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 20

what are the ethical advantages of participant observation?

Answer 20

• you can brief participants at the end
• anonymity and confidentiality - names and details are kept out of reports

Question 21

what are the ethical disadvantages of participant observation?

Answer 21

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

Question 22

what theoretical perspective favours observations?

Answer 22

interpretivists

Question 23

what are the theoretical advantages of participant observations?

Answer 23

Interpretivists favour
- validity - no hawthorne effect as people won’t change behaviour as there for awhile
- verstehen - real insight into behaviour

Question 24

What is the Hawthorne effect?

Answer 24

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 25

what are the theoretical disadvantages of participant observation ?

Answer 25

Positivists dislike - not reliable - can't be repeated - not representative - small sample can''t make generalisations

Question 26

what are the practical advantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 26

- can observe behaviour from afar, more natural, no Hawthorne effect - cheap and quick - researcher skills aren't important

Question 27

what are the practical disadvantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 27

- time consuming - takes time to find a group - small scale - groups may turn you away

Question 28

what are the ethical advantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 28

- don't have to take part in illegal activity - you can de-brief after the event

Question 29

what are the ethical disadvantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 29

- witness illegal activity - may think you're a 'snitch'

Question 30

what are the theoretical advantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 30

Interpretivists favour - valid - no hawthorne effect - verstehen - observing for a long period of time

Question 31

what are the theoretical disadvantages of non-participant observation?

Answer 31

Positivists dislike - not reliable - may get a 'one off' result, can't be repeated - not representative - can't observe lots of people at once

Question 32

why does going native mean research is not valid?

Answer 32

sociologists may go native which loses objectivity

Question 33

what is 'going native'?

Answer 33

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

Question 34

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

Answer 34

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

Question 35

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

Answer 35

-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 36

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

Answer 36

-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

Question 37

What are the 4 types of observations?

Answer 37

- covert - overt - participant - non participant

Question 38

Give a study example of observation? Humphrey

Answer 38

Humprehys tea room trade - he observed 100 men engaging in homosexual acts in public places. He acted as a 'watchqueen'

Question 39

Give a study of participant observation?

Answer 39

Patrick - glasgow gang - covertly observed 1 gang in glasgow. wasn't representative as it was only 1 gang. ended up 'going native'