Evaluate participant nonparticipant naturalistic overt and covert observation

Evaluate participant, nonparticipant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Participant Observation • Means the observer takes part in the situation being studied while carrying out the research. Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Participant Observation Strengths Limitations • An emic (within ONE culture) approach…in other words you are living the experience with them • Avoids researcher bias (removes some Hawthorne effect) • A holistic approach • Difficult to record data • Time consuming • Risk of losing objectivity Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Non-Participant Observation • Is where the observer is not part of the situation being studied. • Not usually in a natural setting…the situation could be set up by researcher. Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Non-Participant Observation Strengths Limitations • Objective • Easy to record data • Researcher does not interfere with behavior • Reactivity (another word for when the subjects act differently when they know they are observed. ) • Ethical concerns • Etic Approach (looking from the outside) Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Naturalistic Observation • Is where the researcher observes behavior that occurs naturally. Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Naturalistic Observation Strengths Limitations • High ecological validity. • Reactivity • Allows to study a wide range of behaviors. • No control over variables. • Difficult to establish interobserver reliability. Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

The Observations that we talked about will also be one of the following…

Overt Observation • Means the observed group is aware of the presence of the researcher and that their behavior is being observed. Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Overt Observation Strengths Limitations • Informed consent is obtained. • Reactivity Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Covert Observation • Means the participants are unaware of the presence of the researcher and they are NOT made aware that their behavior is being observed. Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation

Covert Observation Strengths Limitations • Prevents reactivity!!!! • • • Allows study of behaviors that otherwise might not be studied. Deceived participants Consent is not obtained Violates trust Difficult to record data Can often be dangerous to researchers Evaluate participant, non-participant, naturalistic, overt and covert observation