Non Participant Observation

Question 1

Non - Participant observation is when the researcher is w___ but not doing what?

Answer 1

Watching

involving themselves in the group they’re studying

Question 2

The aim of Non-Participant observation is to understand what’s happening from who’s point of view (POV) ?

Answer 2

The participant’s

Question 3

Which type of sociologists favour the use of Non-Participant observations?

Answer 3

Interpretivists

Question 4

Why do Interpretivists like Non-Participant observations?

Answer 4

They use methods that generate IN DEPTH data and establish SOCIAL REALITY

Question 5

What is the first case study for Non-Participant observations, that took place in Merseyside

(Liverpool) ?

Answer 5

View from the boys

Question 6

Who conducted the Non-Participant observation in Merseyside & what type was it?

Answer 6

Parker

Overt

Question 7

What three traits did Parker have that enabled him to carry out his observation?

{ one of them links to time}

Answer 7

1. ) Young
2. ) Hairy
3. ) Willing to keep long hours

Question 8

What did Parker do in his Non-Participant observation which is seen as ethical?

Answer 8

Tried to stop the boys from getting involved in petty crimes

Question 9

What was one thing that Parker knew the boys did that would’ve reduced the validity of his Non-Participant observation?

Answer 9

The boys controlled their behaviour around him

Question 10

The second case study for Non-Participant observation came from who & what type was it?

Answer 10

Humphries

Covert

Question 11

{2nd} Humphries’ research was called?

Answer 11

Tea Room Trade

Question 12

{2nd} What did Humphries base his research on?

Answer 12

Homosexual acts in public toilets

Question 13

{2nd} What time period was Humphries doing his research in?

Answer 13

1960s

Question 14

{2nd} In the Tea Room Trade, what was the name of the role that Humphries undertook?

Answer 14

Watch queen

Question 15

{2nd} After observing public bathrooms, what did Humphries follow up with?

Answer 15

He tracked down license plates of the participants and then carried out interviews,

where he found most of the individuals were in heterosexual relationships.

Question 16

The third case study for Non-Participant observations is called “Man in a W__ House”

& is carried out by?

Answer 16

Wendy

King

Question 17

{3rd} King’s aim was to observe what between children in a classroom?

Answer 17

Interactions

Question 18

{3rd} King’s observation was overt at first but he had to make it covert because?

Answer 18

The children were trying to interact with him as he clearly stood out

Question 19

{3rd} By hiding in the Wendy house, King was able to stop what?

Answer 19

his presence affecting the behaviour of the kids.

Question 20

A key PRACTICAL strength of Non-Participant observation is the process of “G__ in, staying in and …”

Answer 20

Getting

Getting out

Question 21

{PRACTICAL} Strength: The researcher doesn’t have to be ? therefore making it easier for them to access and leave (no real relationship built)

Answer 21

‘one of them’

Question 22

A possible ETHICAL strength of Non-Participant observations is not having to participate in which type of activities?

Answer 22

Deviant/Illegal

Question 23

{ETHICAL} strength: The researcher is not technically part of the group they’re studying so they wont have to do criminal/deviant activities in order to?

Answer 23

Fit in/ not blow their cover (if covert)

Question 24

An usual THEORETICAL strength of Non-Participant observations is that if they’re structured, what can the researcher do?

Answer 24

Quantify

Question 25

{THEORETICAL} strength: This means that the observer can t___ expected behaviours, which allows for what to be explored?

Answer 25

Tally

Trends/Patterns

Question 26

The THEORETICAL strength of “If structured, quantifiable” applies mostly to which case study?

Answer 26

King & ‘ the man in the wendy house’

Question 27

What’s another THEORETICAL strength that is relevant for Non-Participant Observations? {V}

Answer 27

Validity

Question 28

Non-Participant observations are likely to be valid because the researcher can do what more easily, compared to other methods?

Answer 28

Distance themselves

Question 29

How can Non-Participant observations be limited PRACTICALLY?

{A&P}

Answer 29

Acceptance & Prevention

Question 30

{PRACTICAL} limitation:

‘Acceptance & Prevention’ refers to the idea that a group may not t___ a researcher. + If o__, the group has the ability to do what?

Answer 30

Trust

Overt

Stop certain behaviours/actions from being seen.

Question 31

What ETHICAL limitation do Non-Participant observations present? {Links to seeing something}

Answer 31

Seeing illegal behaviour

Question 32

{ETHICAL} limitation: Even though the researcher isn’t directly participating in criminal behaviour, they might still see it, so then they face which dilemma?

Answer 32

Whether to report it or not

Question 33

Contradictory to the THEORETICAL advantage of ‘Validity’, Non- Participant observations can also lack validity due to the presence of what? {… effect}

Answer 33

Hawthorne Effect

Question 34

{THEORETICAL} limitation: The Hawthorne effect can come into play whether the researcher is doing Cover/overt because either way there is what?

Answer 34

A ‘new’ person amongst the group/situation

Question 35

{THEORETICAL} limitation: Therefore, the presence of a researcher can result in and ‘acted … ‘ ?

Answer 35

Truth