Participant Observation

Participant Observation

1. Covert Participant Observation=when the sociologist's identity and purpose are hidden.

2. Overt Participant Observation=When the sociologist and their purpose is known by those being studied.

3. Qualitative

4. Interpretivist

5. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

   • 1. if using overt, can result in the Hawthorne Effect
   • 2. Subject matter may be more difficult to observe or to get hold of.
   • 3. Personal Skills and characterisitics, may make it more difficult to observe certain groups.

6. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

   • 1. Covert studies means that the participants are unaware they are being studied and so have not given informed consent.
   • 2. Covert studies means that the participants are decieving people which can cause serious ethical problems, in order to gain their trust.

7. THEORETICAL ISSUES

   • 1. If using overt observation, it can result in the Hawthorne effect which reduces the validity.
   • 2. Not all participant observation is reliable as if the Hawthorne Effect happens then the answers will be different.

8. ADVANTAGES

   • Validity= by observing, the researcher can get the bigger picture
   • Insight=Subjective, verstehen, getting a bigger understanding as the researcher is put in the persons shoes.
   • Flexibility

9. DISADVANTAGES

   • Ethical Problems
   • Representativeness
   • Reliability
   • Bias