Participant observation
- Created by: Revisonf
- Created on: 05-01-14 15:51
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- Participant observation
- The researcher joins the group and participates in the activities.
- Overt PO:
- The group is aware that the researcher is observing them.
- The researchers prensence may influence the behaviour of the group; this is known as the 'observer effect'.
- Covert PO:
- The researcher joins the group without informing them about his/her activities.
- A limitation is that the researcher may not ask too many question becuase it might 'blow their cover'.
- As the group is not aware of the research activities, the researcher does not have their consent; this is considered unacceptable because it involves deception and invasion of privacy
- Some argue that covert PO is the only way to study and develop knowledge about topics related to illegal activity.
- Also, if the group members are unaware, they will not change their behaviour; this avoids the 'observer effect'.
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