Observations

• Overt Observation


  Disclosing to the participants that they are being observed
• Advantages of Overt Observation

  • Less ethical problems
  • The researcher is honest about their presence
  • The researcher does not put themselves in a compromising position
• Disadvantages of Overt Observation

  • Hawthorne Effect (participants may change their behaviour as they know they are being watched)
  • The observer may be excluded from the group i.e. not allowed into the secrets of the group
• Covert Observation


  Not disclosing to the participants that they are being observed
• Advantages of Covert Observation

  • Behaviour is natural as the observer does not know they are being observed- valid
  • The researcher can immerse themselves entirely in the situation and gain a real sense of understanding of the views of the group
• Disadvantages of Covert Observation


  • Ethical issues (it is dishonest to study a group and not tell them about it)
  • The observer may put themselves in a compromising position if they witness any illegal activity they may need to take part
  • The observer may be in position of information that would be immoral to withhold from the authorities
  • Difficulty gaining trust and building rapport with the group (influenced by the researcher's age, class, gender, ethnicity)
  • Difficulty staying detached enough to remain objective and unbiased
• Recording Information in Observations

  1. Research Diaries (detailed record of what happens)

  2. Issues with disrupting normal behaviour if constantly recording information
• Maintaining Objectivity in Observations


  • Close contact with individuals can lead to emotions emerging or relationships being built up, compromising objectivity
• Influencing the Situation in Observations

  • The more involved the researcher is with the group, the greater the chance they will influence the group's behaviour
• Participant Observation


  The researcher joins in with the group they are studying
• Advantages of Participant Observation


  • Provides a primary source of first-hand data
  • Researcher is in a better position to fully understand the group and less likely to cause harm
  • Participants are more likely to be truthful and honest with the researcher
  • Allows the researcher to fully join the group and experience first-hand what is happening, gaining rich, insightful qualitative data
• Disadvantages of Participant Observation

  • Only a small number can be observed at one time, so the sample may be unrepresentative
  • Time consuming and expensive
  • Difficulty gaining entry to the group and being accepted by other members (influenced by the researcher's sex, age or ethnicity)
  • Ethical issues, especially with covert observations (lying to participants)
  • The presence of the researcher may affect the behaviour of the group (Hawthorne effect)
  • Lack of structure makes the method unreliable and the data subjective and unrepresentative
• Non-Participant Observation


  Observations carried out without the researcher participating
• Advantages of Non-Participant Observation

  • Reduces the risk of the Hawthorne effect (if the observation is covert)
  • Easier to record information and observations without participating
• Disadvantages of Non-Participant Observation

  • More at risk from the Hawthorne effect if the observation is overt
  • Gains less information than participant observations as the researcher is not as submerged in the group