Observations

Question 1

Participant observation:

Answer 1

• The sociologists is immersed into the lifestyle of the group they are studying
• Main research method used by ethnographers
• Involves the researcher being ‘on the inside and looking in’ as they join in with those being studied

Question 2

Non-participant observation:

Answer 2

• Sociologist is a detailed onlooker who doesn’t get involved in activities

Question 3

Overt observation:

Answer 3

• The researcher joins in the activities of the group
• Some or all of the group know that the researcher is a sociologist and is actively observing them

Question 4

Covert observation:

Answer 4

• Undercover observation
• The researcher inserts themselves into a group and conceals the fact they are doing research
• They pretend to be an authentic member of the group

Question 5

Structured observation:

Answer 5

• Follows an observation schedule

Question 6

Unstructured observation

Answer 6

• Schedule is flexible

Question 7

Controlled observation:

Answer 7

Studied in a controlled environment such as a lab

Question 8

Uncontrolled environment:

Answer 8

Naturally occurring environment

Question 9

Structured observations:

Answer 9

• Non-participant
• Coded observation schedule - focused on a particular topic
• Anything that doesn’t fit the schedule is ignored
• Research is objective
• Preferred by positivists

Question 10

Ethnography:

Answer 10

• Writing about the way of life of culture of social groups
• Inserting yourself as a researcher into the natural setting of the group
• Other methods may also be used to build a more detailed picture of the groups behaviour
• Aims to capture ordinary activities and interpretations of these activities

Question 11

Fields: Ethnography:

Answer 11

• Gate keepers are the unsung heros of ethnography
• They can speak to the group beforehand and remove suspicions of the researcher
• Some gatekeepers have an agenda of their own - may wish to control what is being observed

Question 12

Once the researcher has gained access from a gatekeeper:

Answer 12

• Focus on ‘looking and listening’ and going with the groups flow
• Not interfere with normality - be patient
• Balance between being an insider and outsider
• brewer = ethnographers ear peoples trust getting involved

Question 13

Strengths of observation:

Answer 13

• Seeing things through the eyes of the group - helps the researcher empathise - high validity
• Sociologists can see how people truly act
• Observations can use informal questions - type of respondent validity
• Takes place over a long period of time
• Allows research of hard to reach groups (Criminal gangs, religious sects)
• Qualitative data

Question 14

Positivist criticisms of observations:

Answer 14

• Observer effects (group then acts less naturally)
• Researchers can get too attached to the group they are studying (loss of detachment and objectivity)
• Micro-studies have a narrow view and don’t study wider sociological context
• Covert can create risks to observers

Question 15

Limitations of observation:

Answer 15

• Time consuming
• researcher struggles to take notes whilst remaining subtle
• May not be reliable - no way of repeating
• not representative - small groups or unique people
• Epitome of ‘bad science’
• Doesn’t produce quantifiable data