Observations

• What are the different types of observation?

  • Participant observation
  • Non-participant observation
  • Overt observation
  • Covert observation
• What is participant observation?

  When the researcher takes part in the event or everyday life of the people being observed
• What is non-participant observation?

  The researcher simply observes without taking part in any activities or events
• What is overt observation?

  The researcher making their true identity and purpose there known to those being observed
• What is covert observation?

  The study is carried out undercover with their true identity kept from everyone
• What are the steps to infiltrating a group to observe?

  • Getting in
  • Staying in
  • Getting out
• What has to be done for a researcher to "Get in"?

  1. Making contact - depends on connections or pure chance
  2. Acceptance - winning their trust and acceptance
  3. Not disturbing the groups' normal patterns
• What has to be done for a researcher to "Stay in"?

  They have to go native
• What is "Going native"?

  The researcher has to become involved in the group so that they can understand it fully
• What are the dangers of "Going native"?

  • becoming over involved
  • becoming biased
  • withholding information for the safety of dangerous groups
  • after a while the researcher may cease to notice things that they should
• What did William Whyte say about going native?

  "I started as a non-participant observer and ended as a non-observing participator"
• What are the advantages of overt observations?

  • avoid ethical problems of deceit
  • allows in depth questions to be asked
  • can take notes openly without depending on memory
• What are the disadvantages of overt observations?

  • a group may refuse permission to be observed
  • may inhibit what the researcher is allowed to do
  • Hawthorne effect lowers validity and authenticity
• What are the advantages of covert observations?

  Avoids the Hawthorne effect as valid information can be collected
• What are the disadvantages of covert observation?

  • cover could be blown at any time
  • it's immoral to lie to others
  • further questions can't be asked
  • no informed consent
• What did John Howard Griffin do?

  He wrote "Black like me" after carrying out a participant covert observation in 1959 to study racism and the reality of being black in the deep south. He accomplished this by using medicines and sun lamp treatments to deepen the colour of his skin.
• What was James Patrick's biggest dilemma in his observation of a Glasgow gang?

  Having to witness immoral and criminal activity and stay emotionally detached from the group because of it
• What did James Patrick do?

  Write "A Glasgow Gang" after carrying out a participant semi-covert observation of a Glasgow gang from 1966 to 1967 to study their typical behaviour, experiences and gang lifestyle with only one member of the gang knowing his identity.
• What are the advantages of participant observations?

  • Validity - real life qualitative data
  • Insight
  • Flexibility - experience new situations to gain information
  • Best and sometimes only way to observe deviant groups
  • Gain rapport and trust
• What is structured non-participant observation?


  When the researcher already has a list of behaviours that they’re looking for prior to the observation, so they already have an idea of what is important and what to look out for
• Why would Positivists favour structured non-participant observation?

  • Eliminates the Hawthorne effect
  • They can stay detached from their research and record important behaviours
  • Takes less time as rapport and trust isn’t needed
• What did Sarah Thornton do?


  Sarah Thornton wrote “Club Culture“ in 1995 after her study of clubbing and race scenes to explore the hierarchy that comes with popular youth culture