covert observations ( research methods )

Question 1

what is covert observations

Answer 1

The study is carried out as under cover . Researchers identity and purpose is kept concealed from the group they’re studying . Researcher takes on false identity , usually posing as a member of the group

Question 2

what are strengths of covert observations

Answer 2

• people do not know they’re being observed so less risk of the hawthorne effect
• natural behaviour, increasing validity
• qualitative data

Question 3

what are limitations of covert observations

Answer 3

• researcher must keep on an act
• cannot take notes openly - must rely on memory which decreases validity
• cant combine observations , may have to be involved in immoral activities
• ethical issues - deception to participants

Question 4

what’s the tearoom trade by laud humphrey’s

Answer 4

secretly recorded sex acts of gay men in a public bathroom
recorded the number plates
went to their houses after and interviewed the wives
- Couldn’t take notes openly and made mental notes

Question 5

what’s glasgow gangs study by james patrick

Answer 5

he was able to covertly observe a glasgow gang because he looked young and pretended he was with them
almost found out when he bought his suit with cash instead of credit card and fasteners the middle button of his jacket rather than the top one - things a gan wouldn’t have done

Question 6

what was Festinger et al study

Answer 6

• when prophecy falls
• Joined a doomsday cult to study belief systems , undercover
• found that members increased their faith after their prophecy failed
• highly deceptive

Question 7

Polskys study

Answer 7

• Hustlers , Beats and Others
• aimed to understand deviant subcultures e.g pool hustlers
• spent years in these environments gaining trust
• Polsky was a skilled pool player himself which helped him gain access
• overall found that deviance is rational and subcultures have norms