observations

• overt observations + AO3

  Participants know they are being observed.

  -informed consent is given - are ethical.

  -decreased validity because of increased researcher presence.
• covert observations + AO3

  Participants don't know they are being observed.

  -lack of informed consent - unethical.

  -increased validity because of decreased researcher presence.
• participant observations + AO3

  Researcher is actively involved - does the same as the participants.

  -detailed results, increased validity.

  -my lack objectivity as researcher is getting involved.
• non-participant observations + AO3

  Researchers just observe, they do not actively take part.

  -increased hawthorne effect.

  -easier for researchers to observe - increased validity.
• structured observations + AO3

  Researchers look for and record specific behaviours.

  -decreased detail, decreased validity.

  -easier for researcher to carry out (know what they're looking for).
• unstructured observations + AO3

  Observe and make conclusions on all the behaviour they see, are not looking for specific behaviours.

  -more detail, increased validity.

  -researchers might miss some important behaviours, decreases validity.
• observer effect/hawthorne effect

  Participants changing their behaviour because they know they are being observed.
• getting in, going native & getting out

  -getting in: joining the group to do participant observations might be hard/a barrier e.g., joining a gang.

  
  

  -going native: once in the group the people can become too involved which can prevent objectivity.

  
  

  -getting out: leaving the group you have studied. This can be hard if bonds have been made, could cause upset and can be hard to go back to the 'normal world'.
• application to education

  -ofsted/internal observations in school. To see what happens in the classroom.

  
  

  -Willis - participant observations to research the lads, he became part of the anti-school subculture to get rich data.

  
  

  -Ball - spent 3 years doing a participant observation to look at setting and streaming.