observations

• What is the definition of observation in research?

  Observation is the action of closely observing or monitoring something or someone.
• What does the term "covert" mean in research?

  Covert refers to participants being unaware of the intention of the research.
• What does the term "overt" mean in research?

  Overt means participants are fully aware of the intention of the research.
• What is participant observation?

  Participant observation is when the investigator becomes part of the group to observe.
• What is non-participant observation?

  Non-participant observation is when the investigator observes without becoming part of the group.
• What is systematic observation?

  Systematic observation involves trained observers recording target behaviors using a predefined coding system to minimize bias.
• What is unstructured observation?

  Unstructured observation takes place without predefined planning and characteristics.
• What is ethnography?

  Ethnography involves observing people in their own environment to understand their experiences, perspectives, and everyday practices.
• What are the practical issues associated with overt and covert observations?

  • Access to a group is a major issue for both types.
  • Overt: Researcher needs access to hard-to-reach groups.
  • Covert: Researcher must establish and maintain a cover.
• What are the ethical issues related to overt and covert observations?

  • Overt has fewer ethical issues than covert.
  • Covert can cause physical and psychological harm.
  • Issues include deception and informed consent.
  • Confidentiality and anonymity must be maintained.
• What are the theoretical issues with participant observations?

  • Both overt and covert observations are performed by interpretivists.
  • They produce in-depth, valid data.
  • Criticized for lack of replicability due to personal nature of investigations.
• Who is Venkatesh and what was the title of his work?

  Venkatesh is the author of "Gang Leader for a Day."
• What was the intent of Venkatesh's research in "Gang Leader for a Day"?

  The intent was to understand the lives of those living within 'The projects' in Chicago.
• What was Venkatesh's initial plan for his research?

  His initial plan was to enter the projects with a questionnaire.
• What happened during Venkatesh's initial encounter with the 'black kings' gang?

  He was surrounded by gang members and realized he needed to experience their lives to understand them.
• What realization did Venkatesh come to regarding his research question about being 'black and poor'?


  He realized that to understand it, he had to experience what it was like to be both 'black and poor.'
• What are the definitions of overt, covert, structured, unstructured, participant, non-participant, and ethnography?

  • Overt: Participants are fully aware of the research.
  • Covert: Participants are unaware of the research.
  • Structured: Observation with predefined plans.
  • Unstructured: Observation without predefined plans.
  • Participant: Investigator observes while being part of the group.
  • Non-participant: Investigator observes without being part of the group.
  • Ethnography: Observing people in their own environment.
• overt advantages and disadvantages

  adv

  more ethical

  limits

  hawthorne effect social desirability
• overt adv and disadv

  adv

  lack social desirability

  hawthorne effect

  Disadv

  deception
• unstructured adv and disadv

  adv

  produce more in depth results

  disadv

  lacks standardised procedures

  hard to replicate
• structured adv and disadv

  adv

  standardised procedures

  easier to replicate

  disadv

  data not indepth
• non participant adv and disadv

  adv

  allows researcher to see what goes on with with own eyes - make judgements and observe body language

  more ethical

  disadv

  can lead to hawthorne effect

  hard to gain accurate results as watching from a far

  time consuming

  costly
• participants adv and disadv

  adv

  verstehen

  validity

  disadv

  time consuming

  hard to generalise

  bias
• ethnography adv and disadv

  adv

  gives researcher direct access to culture and practices of the group

  disadv

  bias - researcher can affect both the study and the collection/ interpretation of data