Methods: Participant Observation

Question 1

Define non-participant observation.

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Question 2

Define participant observation.

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Question 3

Explain the difference between overt observation and covert observation.

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Question 4

How did Ned Polsky make contact with the subjects of their study?

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Question 5

How did James Patrick make contact with the subjects of their study?

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Question 6

How did Eileen Fairhurst make contact with the subjects of their study?

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Question 7

Why was the role that Whyte took a suitable one for his purposes?

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Question 8

What key problem does the participant observer face once that have been accepted into a group.

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Question 9

Define ‘going native’.

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Question 10

What evidence is there that Punch went native in his research?

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Question 11

Identify two problems sociologists might face when leaving a participant observation

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Question 12

Outline four advantages of overt observation.

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Question 13

Outline two disadvantages of overt observation.

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Question 14

What is the main practical advantage of covert observation?

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Question 15

Outline four practical disadvantages of covert observation.

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Question 16

List the four ethical issues affecting covert observation.

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Question 17

Explain the following advantages of participant observation:

• Validity
• Insight

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Question 18

Why is participant observation a more flexible method that methods like questionnaires and structured interviews?

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Question 19

Why might participant observation be the only method of studying certain groups?

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Question 20

Suggest reasons why the researcher’s personal characteristics might affect the success of the observation.

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Question 21

Suggest two reasons why participant observation studies may not use representative samples.

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Question 22

Why may the data from participant observation studies not be reliable?

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Question 23

Give three reasons why participant observation studies may lack objectivity.

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Question 24

Why do positivists argue that findings from participant observation studies may not be valid?

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Question 25

Why do structural sociologists argue that participant observation may be inadequate?

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