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Research Method - Sociology AQA > Observations > Flashcards

Flashcards in Observations Deck (17)
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1
Q

participant observation

A

researcher joins group being studied to see world the way they do

2
Q

participant observation - theoretical context

A

interpretivist
understand world from their point of view
verstehen
qualitative data
researcher avoid letting values affect observation

3
Q

participant observation - getting in

A

researcher shares personal characteristics of group

requires permission from higher authorities (affects behaviour)

4
Q

participant observation - covert tole

A

researcher conceals their role

5
Q

participant observation - when is covert role used?

A

when overt researcher seen as threat/unwelcome or risk people changing their behaviour

6
Q

participant observation - problems of covert role

A
  • full participant may involve participating in illegal/unpleasant act
  • difficult to ask questions & take notes without being suspicious
  • moral and ethical issues
7
Q

participant observation - overt role

A

researcher reveals their identity and purpose of research to group

8
Q

participant observation - benefit of overt role

A
  • openness, honesty builds trust
  • research able to ask questions, interview, take notes, avoid illegal behaviour
  • morally and ethically correct
9
Q

participant observation - problems of overt role

A

people aware they’re being studies - affects behaviour and validity

10
Q

participant observation - staying in

A
  • observer gains trust and cooperation
  • extensive note-taking may disrupt behaviour
  • how far to get involved without losing trust of group or objective of research
11
Q

participant observation - getting out

A
  • leaving group without damaging relationships
  • becoming detached to write accurate account
  • members unidentifiable
12
Q

participant observation - advantages

A
  • in-depth valid data
  • hypothesis/theories emerge throughout research
  • understand meanings of social situation for group
  • may be only possible method
  • normal social situation
  • less chance that researcher can be misled
13
Q

participant observation - disadvantage

A
  • what is regarded as important differs between researchers, depends heavily their characteristics (in-built bias)
  • not reliable
  • positivists; data not quantifiable, selective observation: researchers interpretation of findings
  • quotations written latter so partially recalled (validity)
  • hawthorne effect
  • researcher may become too involved, difficult to report findings in neutral way
  • time-consuming/expensive
  • small group studied (not representative)
  • ethical issues
  • researcher may face personal danger
14
Q

non-participant observation

A

carried out without researcher participating

carried out without knowledge of recipient

15
Q

non-participant observation - when is this used?

A

when groups unwilling to cooperate in research (ethical)

16
Q

non-participant observation - benefits

A
  • avoids hawthorne effect

- normal social situation

17
Q

non-participant observation - problems

A
  • won’t be able to understand meanings attached to behaviour

- data reflects interpretations of researcher (reduces reliability, validity)