Participant Observation

Participant Observation

1. Covert Observation

   • This is when the researcher doesn't reveal their true identity and doesn't tell the particiapants the reason for the research
   • Practical
     • The researcher needs to carry on acting as part of the group as it can cause safety issues for the researcher if their identity is found out
   • Ethical
     • Debriefing/Deciet- When the research is over the researcher needs to inform the particapants about the observation
   • Theoretical
     • High Validity

2. Overt Observation

   • This is when the researcher reveals their true identity and their purpose of the observation
   • Practical
     • Difficulty to get in
   • Ethical
     • It causes less ethical problems as the researcher doesn't need to lie.
     • The participants can easily opt out of being part of the research
   • Theoretical
     • It can cause a hawthorne effect where the particiapants change their behaviour which reduces the validity of the research

3. Advantages

   • Ethical
     • When using overt observation there aren't many ethical problems
   • Theoretical
     • High validity. It gives a bigger picture on how people act in real life. Could be used to see how pupils act in the class room
   • Practical
     • It is less time consuming to observe pupils then it is to interview them
     • It allows the researcher to build a raport with the participants

4. Disadvantages

   • Practical
     • Difficult to get accepted to observe pupils in a class room environment as the researcher needs to go go through the local authority first
     • Some observations can be extreamely time consuming in gaining data
     • Researcher needs to be specifically trained in order to fit into the group and to also see what behaviour is important to observe
   • Theoretical
     • Hawthorne effect. It pupils know they are being observed then they would change their behaviour which would lower the validity
     • Low reliability. The observations aren't always standardised and is therefore difficult to replicate
   • Ethical
     • Deciet.The researcher can't reveal their true identity and the reason for the observation.This could cause harm for the pupils if they arn't debriefed