Participant Observation

Participant Observation

1. INTERPRETIVISTS argue that participant observation has a number of characteristics that contribute towards the creation of data which is high in VALIDITY.

   • This is because: it is an open research process, it gives an insight into the real picture, you can see what the group actually does and it is naturalistic,
     • NATURALISTIC: valid data is most likely to be created when a group is studied in its normal social setting. By going to the group instead of bringing it to an artificial research setting, they can be observed in a way that it doesn't affect their behaviour.

2. PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES: sometimes a research opportunity will suddenly offer itself. Less planning is also required for Participant Observation compared to surveys, it is also an open research process, it is a fluid, flexible approach. For an COVERT observation, access to certain areas of the groups' behaviours may be possible, as it is secret.

3. ETHICAL ADVANTAGES: for a Overt observation: the research subjects will be aware of the intentions so there will be no avoidance of deception. There will be informed consent

4. THEORITCAL ADVANTAGES: in COVERT approaches, it does not disturb the normal behaviour of the group, which means VALID data. In OVERT approaches the researcher can openly ask questions to clarify meanings, also meaning higher VALIDITY.

5. DISADVANTAGES OF PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

   • POSITIVISTS do not agree with participant observation as any response can be given, there is no fixed questions nor answers. Meaning the process can not be replicable, nor reliable as there is no STATISTICS.
     • THEORITCAL DISADVANTAGE: Covert approaches can cause difficulty with recording behaviour without raising suspicions, therefore possibly reducing the validity. OVERT observations can cause behaviour to change due to knowing the real identity of the researcher, also affecting VALIDITY.
   • PRACTICAL DISADVANTAGE: costly/time consuming. It often takes a long time to study a group in this way, especially if the method is COVERT. Keeping observers 'in the field' is costly.
   • ETHICAL DISADVANTAGE: in a covert observation, their may be issues of trust, lack of informed consent. In an overt obseravation, the group may refuse access, as it could potentially be a sensitive issue