Observation

• Key terms
• Ethnographic: the sociologist immersing themselves in the lives of others.
• Non participant observation: the researcher being an external observer, with no contact with the group at all.
• Participant observation: the researcher becomes immersed in the group, actually becoming a full member.
• Covert: the group being observed doesn't know they are being observed.
• Overt: the researcher is fully open with the group about their intentions of research.

Non participant/participant observation

Advantages

• Gives a full detailed account.
• Useful when the subject cannot provide information.
• Useful when the subject is feared to provide innacurate information.
• Good for issues when questioning isn't appropriate. E.g. gang crime.

Disadvantages

• Past events being studied.
• Risk of observer bias.
• Hard to generalise to the whole population.
• Gaining entry is…