Methods: Participant Observation Flashcards
Define non-participant observation.
.
Define participant observation.
.
Explain the difference between overt observation and covert observation.
.
How did Ned Polsky make contact with the subjects of their study?
.
How did James Patrick make contact with the subjects of their study?
.
How did Eileen Fairhurst make contact with the subjects of their study?
.
Why was the role that Whyte took a suitable one for his purposes?
.
What key problem does the participant observer face once that have been accepted into a group.
.
Define ‘going native’.
.
What evidence is there that Punch went native in his research?
.
Identify two problems sociologists might face when leaving a participant observation
-
-
Outline four advantages of overt observation.
-
-
Outline two disadvantages of overt observation.
-
-
What is the main practical advantage of covert observation?
.
Outline four practical disadvantages of covert observation.
-
-
List the four ethical issues affecting covert observation.
-
-
Explain the following advantages of participant observation:
- Validity
- Insight
-
-
Why is participant observation a more flexible method that methods like questionnaires and structured interviews?
.
Why might participant observation be the only method of studying certain groups?
.
Suggest reasons why the researcher’s personal characteristics might affect the success of the observation.
.
Suggest two reasons why participant observation studies may not use representative samples.
-
-
Why may the data from participant observation studies not be reliable?
.
Give three reasons why participant observation studies may lack objectivity.
-
Why do positivists argue that findings from participant observation studies may not be valid?
.
