Research Methods

• Observations:

  • Overt (done in the open)
  • Covert (done in secret)
  • Naturalistic (in natural surroundings)
  • Controlled (in a contained environment)
  • Participant (observes immerses in day-to-day activities of participant)
  • Non-participant (observes participant's activities without immersing)
• Pilot study


  Small trial run to test research methods
• Snowball sampling


  Sampling one member of population and identifying other people through them
• Ethical considerations:

  • informed consent
  • privacy
  • confidentiality
  • anonymity