Participant Observation

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  • Created by: cashj244
  • Created on: 01-06-17 12:59

Partipant Observation

Advantages

  • Validity
  • observed in natural setting
  • no Hawthorne effect if using covert Po
  • The recorded observations of PO have a true to life feel about them
  • PO offers insight (researcher can develop deeper understanding of group)
  • develop trusting relationship with researcher and more likely to open up.
  • PO may be the only way to study closed groups
  • research opportunity - PO is very flexible
  • if a new issue arises during a study, PO can adapt accordingly - with structured forms such as formal interviews or questionnaires new issues cannot be brought into research process once it has started.

Disadvantages

  • unreliable and unrepresentative
  • no standardised system or measurement so cannot be repeated
  • Po are usually one off with a small social group that are unlikely to be representative so generalizations cannot be made from findings.
  • Hawthorne Effect - especially with overt observation, but even with covert, a new member may affect the groups behavior
  • going native - the observer may over identify with the group this may affect the researchers true opinion of groups actions.
  • The observer can never be too certain that they understood the tru meaning of events and actions of the group
  • With covert observation - the group have been misled and have not give their informed consent - Ethical issue
  • Covert observer may have to participate in illegal or immoral acts or else it will blow their cover
  • Practical issues are getting access to the group, staying in the group (maintaining false identity for long period of time) and getting out of the group if bonds have been formed.

Evaluation

Observation can be useful if a researcher is trying to find the meaning and true picture behind the research, one of the strengths is that sometimes it is the only way to research small social groups. Big disadvantages are it's unreliable and unrepresentative. While studying education with PO it's useful because the researcher is likely to overcome power status between them and the pupil and the pupil may feel more comfortable to open up and gain acceptance resulting in more valid research.  Practical issues with researching in schools are the school timetable restricting certain holidays, and it may take the researcher weeks to get used to the school and how it functions.Ethical issues are that pupils are vulnerable and may not be able to give informed consent or understand the research. Laws behind the safety of children during research is also important. Protecting the school's identity is important because negative research can give a bad reputation to the school. In school, PO can only be carried out on a small scale so it is not representative. Teachers may become suspicious if there is an observer in the class and act differently. (Impression management) 

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