Non - Participant Observation

Non - Participant Observation

1. What?

   • Usually more structured than participant observation
   • Usually have pre-categorised observation schedules - examples of behaviours that they are looking for and will tick off when observed.
   • Quantitative data - preffered by Positivists

2. Examples

   • Laud Humphreys - Tearoom Trade

3. Advantages

   • Allows sociologists to observe people in normal social situations and avoid the Hawthorne effect. Behaviour is naturalistic and therefore more valid
   • Eliminates the risk that people will be affected t the presence of a researcher or new member of the group
   • Objective due to little involvement --> detachment --> easier to replicate due to pre-categorised observationschedule
   • Standardised

4. Disadvantages

   • Elimination of the Hawthorne effect can only be achieved fully when the observation is carried out without the knowledge of the observed e.g. from a distance
   • Does not allow the researcher to investigate the meanings people attach to the behaviour that is being observed
   • Data produced may well reflect simply the assumptions and interpretations of the researcher (researcher bias) raising issues over the validity and reliability f the data
   • Subjective because you are looking for certain behaviours and may not notice other behaviours
   • Potential ethical issues - deception/informed consent
   • Lacks insight - small sample size
   • Not flexible due to categories