7.2.3 Participant and Non-Participant Observation

• What is the role of the researcher in participant observation?

  Active participant in the group
• How does participant observation differ from simply observing a group from the outside?

  It involves active participation in the group
• Why is it harder to interpret actions in non-participant observation?

  Due to lack of direct engagement with subjects
• What are the main advantages of non-participant observation?

  • Objectivity: Less biased observations
  • Efficiency: Saves time in data collection
  • Reduced Ethical Risk: Minimizes privacy issues
• Why is participant observation considered time-consuming?

  It requires time to integrate into a group.
• How do researchers engage in Participant Observation?

  By actively participating in the group studied
• What are the safety and ethical concerns of participant observation?

  Risks to well-being and privacy of others.
• What are the key features of Participant Observation?

  • Active participation in the group
  • Direct observation of behaviors
  • Interaction with participants
• What is a disadvantage of participant observation related to bias?

  It can make observations less objective.
• What is the overall value of non-participant observation?

  It helps understand behaviors without direct involvement
• What is a disadvantage of non-participant observation regarding context?

  Limited understanding of behavior reasons
• How do researchers conduct Non-Participant Observation?

  By watching and recording behaviors separately
• How does non-participant observation enhance objectivity?

  It reduces bias by keeping observers separate
• What type of data is collected through participant observation?

  Rich, qualitative data through direct experience
• What does non-participant observation help to maintain?

  A neutral perspective
• How does being a participant affect objectivity in observations?

  It can cloud judgment and analysis.
• What is Participant Observation?

  A method of data collection in psychology
• How does non-participant observation reduce ethical risks?

  It minimizes interactions that could breach privacy
• In what scenario might a researcher use Participant Observation?

  Studying youth culture in a skateboarding club
• What is the significance of the researcher becoming a member of the group in Participant Observation?

  It allows for direct observation and interaction
• Why is non-participant observation considered efficient?

  It allows observation without group integration
• What is a key advantage of non-participant observation?

  Objectivity
• How might a researcher study a tech startup using participant observation?

  • Join the team
  • Experience their work culture firsthand
• What distinguishes Non-Participant Observation from other observational methods?

  Researchers do not interact with the group
• How does interaction with participants differ between participant and non-participant observation?

  High interaction in participant, minimal in non-participant
• Why is participant observation considered to provide deeper insights?

  Because you're part of the group
• What subtle signs might be missed in non-participant observation?

  Non-verbal cues from observed individuals
• How does the inability to ask questions affect non-participant observation?

  It limits understanding of group dynamics