Observations

Question 1

Observations

Answer 1

Watching a situation and recording data from what is seen
Favoured by interpretivists as they want to study everyday life in a natural setting
Type of research mostly seeks qualitative data

Question 2

Participant observations

Answer 2

This involves the researcher joining in with the activities of the group being studied

Question 3

Non-participant observations

Answer 3

When a researcher simply watcher a situation or interaction, and collects data from what they see, without interacting with the group being observed

Question 4

Overt observations

Answer 4

When the participants are aware that they are being observed, therefore they give consent

Question 5

Covert observations

Answer 5

When the group being observed is unaware that they are being researched, and the researcher has to adopt a cover story to explain their presence in that situation

Question 6

Participant and non-participant observations PET

Answer 6

P+
- background/ characteristics of researcher (may be able to use characteristics to get into group- participant)
- money (either type does not require expensive equipment)
P-
- access (may be difficult especially if attempting to research marginalised groups, may be a gatekeeper)
- time (observations tend to be time-consuming- participant observations)
E+
- protection of participants (if non-participant researcher will not be directly involved)
- confidentiality (can hide names of those they are observing- non-participant)
E-
- harm to researcher (participant- researcher could be in danger)
- informed consent/ deception (if participant researcher may need cover story)
T+
- validity (can see Ps in action and in natural setting)
- verstehen (participant- researcher can see from Ps pov)
T-
- reliability (participant- can be virtually impossible to repeat)
- representativeness (participant- tend to be focused on small group)

Question 7

Covert and overt observations PET

Answer 7

P+
- background/ characteristics of researcher (overt- researchers characteristics will have less impact)
- money (funding bodies may be more likely to fund overt research)
P-
- access (difficult if overt, may be gatekeeper)
- time (covert observations can take a long time, may need to gain trust)
E+
- informed consent (overt- participants know they are being observed)
- confidentiality (researchers can hide names of who they are researching)
E-
- harm to researcher (covert- researcher could be in danger)
- informed consent and deception (if covert then consent cannot be gained and Ps are being deceived)
T+
- validity (covert Ps do not know they are being researched so should act naturally)
- verstehen (covert- researcher fully immersed into group)
T-
- validity (overt- Ps know they are being researched- Hawthorne Effect)
- reliability (covert- difficult to carry out research again)