Participant Observation

Types of observation:

non-participant = observes the group, doesn't take part (twoway mirror watching children play)

participant observation = reseacher takes part

overt = researcher makes true ientity and purpose to those taking part

covert = study is carried out under cover

Whyte : Street corner society

semi-overt as he revealed hus purpose to few people.

structural observation to catagorise what happens, this is a pre-determined list of the types of behaviour.

Conducting a participant observation study

Getting in : Gain entry to the group.

Making contact = depends on personal skills, correct connections, pure chance. Polsky had access to a poolroom as he was a pool player, Patrick joined a glasgow gang as he looked young and Fairhurst was hospitalised because of a bad back which allowed her to conduct a…