participant observation

• What do sociologists often want to study?

  Small groups or subcultures
• What is one way to study small groups?

  By joining in with them
• What should you observe during your participant observation at mealtime?

  • Who is present
  • When and where it takes place
  • How long it lasts
  • What is consumed
  • Tasks each person carries out
• How might knowing the group affect your observations?

  It may bias your perspective
• What problems might arise from being part of the group studied?

  Potential bias in observations
• Should you inform the group about your observation? Why?

  It depends on the research goals
• What are some ways to record findings in participant observation?

  Notes, audio recordings, or video
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of participant observation?

  Advantages:

  • Provides in-depth insights
  • Captures real behavior

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Time-consuming
  • Potential for researcher bias
• What is a key problem with survey methods like interviews?

  Responses may not reflect actual behavior
• Why might observational methods provide a truer picture of social reality?

  They observe behavior in natural settings
• What are the two main types of observation methods?

  • Non-participant observation
  • Participant observation
• What are the two distinctions in participant observation?

  • Overt observation
  • Covert observation
• What is overt observation?

  The researcher reveals their identity
• What is covert observation?

  The researcher hides their true purpose
• How did Whyte's study of 'Street Corner Society' differ from typical observational methods?

  It was semi-overt, revealing to one member
• Why might a researcher keep their identity secret?

  To avoid influencing group behavior
• In what situations is it acceptable to conceal a researcher's identity?

  When it prevents bias in data collection
• What are the main issues sociologists face in participant observation studies?

  • Getting in, staying in, and getting out
  • Choosing between overt or covert observation
• What factors influence gaining entry to a group?

  Personal skills, connections, or chance
• What skill did Ned Polsky use to gain entry to the poolroom hustlers?

  His skill at pool
• How did James Patrick gain entry to a Glasgow gang?

  By looking young and knowing a member
• What obstacle did Thomson face in her research?

  Her age and nationality
• What did Griffin do to study a different racial group?

  Changed his skin color
• What are the two main types of observations in sociological research?

  Participant and non-participant
• What is the Hawthorne effect in sociological research?

  Participants change behavior due to being studied
• What does covert observation mean?

  Participants are unaware of being observed
• What is a key advantage of participant observations?

  Provides valid data in natural settings
• What is a disadvantage of participant observations?

  They can be unreliable and subjective
• What does 'going native' refer to in participant observations?

  Researcher over-identifying with the group
• What is a practical issue with participant observations?

  Difficulty in entering or leaving the group
• What is the main characteristic of non-participant observations?

  The observer avoids direct involvement
• What is a key advantage of non-participant observations?

  Limited risk of researcher 'going native'
• What is a disadvantage of non-participant observations?

  Observations are subjective and not repeatable
• What does overt observation entail?

  Participants are aware of the observation
• What is an advantage of overt observations?

  Fewer ethical issues due to participant awareness
• What is a disadvantage of overt observations?

  They can be time-consuming to conduct
• What is a key advantage of covert observations?

  Less risk of the Hawthorne effect
• What is a disadvantage of covert observations?

  Deception raises ethical concerns
• What is a practical issue with covert observations?

  Gaining trust and acceptance can be time-consuming