OBSERVATIONS

OBSERVATIONS

1. types of observations

   • participants : researchers take part in the event
   • non participant : the researcher is not involved they are just watching
   • overt : makes there true identity and the purpose of the research known to the pps
   • covert : the study is carried out undercover

2. participant observations

   • strengths
     • VALIDITY: we can obtain rich qualitative data that provides a picture of how they really live - main strength
     • INSIGHT: best way to truly understand what something's like is to observe it yourself , the researcher is able to gain empathy, gives uniquely valid authentic data
     • FLEXIBIITY: sociologists are able to enter the situation with an open mind , sociologists (researchers) can discover they may have missed
     • PRACTICAL: only viable method to observe certain kinds of groups , teenage gangs are likely to see reserachers as a figure of authority and therefore put up a guard , the researcher is able to gain trust
   • Limitations
     • PRACTICAL: time consuming researcher has to be trained and have impersonal skills that not everyone has , CAGE affects the study , access is difficult
     • REPRESENTATIVENESS : group studied is small , so unable to make generalisation
     • RELIABILITY : hard to replicate the original study , unable to compare studies because of qualitative data
     • BIAS AND LACKS OBJECTIVITY ; difficult to remain objective, sociologists is presenting a one sided view. sociologists conceal sensitive info as they fear their lives are at risk if they are not loyal
     • ETHICAL ISSUES : covert - ethical difficulties , illegal - guilty knowledge
     • POSITIVISTS : reject ppt obs as they are unsystematic method that cannot be replicated