comparing overt and covert observation

comparing overt and covert observation

1. Covert participate observation

   • DEFINITION- Covered up research topic
   • Ethic
     • No information to participates
   • Access
     • Hard to gain entry as purpose is not told, observer needs to get into the group another way.
   • Maintaining group membership
     • Constant risk of cover being blown leading to constant fear
   • Asking questions
     • Direct questions can cause suspicions so sometimes limited questions are asked leading to less valid data
   • Validity of data
     • Group acts normally therefore more valid data is produced.

2. Overt Participation

   • DEFINITION- Open research where topic is spoke about.
   • Ethic
     • Maybe a problem protecting research subjects and participatants
   • Access
     • May be denied access from a certain group
   • Maintaining group membership
     • Once in the group easy to establish relationships
   • Asking questions
     • As trust has been established its easy for the observer to ask questions about answers
   • Validity of data
     • Group members might act differently this is known as the hawthorne effect. Also members may over act this is known as social desirability effect