Observational Research Observational studies vary in two main
Observational Research • Observational studies vary in two main ways: • 1. The extent to which the researcher joins the activities of the group. The choice is between participant observation and nonparticipant observation • 2. Whether the researcher is honest and tells the group about the research, or prefers to pretend to be one of the group. The choice is between overt and covert research
Sociological Methods • Participant Observation involves a researcher gaining membership or attachment to a group, so he/she can study social action in its natural context, undisturbed, as it occurs. This could mean joining a group of mental patients in a hospital, accompanying a teenage gang to clubs/cafes etc. • In other words the researcher joins the group being studied
Observational Research Participant Observation Advantages: Ø High validity: see behaviour in its natural context. Ø Empathy: can understand individual meanings. Ø Can study social interaction including non-verbal interaction. Ø Gives flexibility and innovation. © onlineclassroom. tv 2007
Observational Research Participant Observation: Problems ØGetting In: May be difficult for the researcher to enter an organisation or group (such as a school). ØStaying In: Researcher has to work at making relationships and maintaining trust. ØGetting Out: Not easy to simply “stop participating”. © onlineclassroom. tv 2007
Observational Research Participant Observation: Limitations Ø Low reliability – difficult to repeat. Ø Observer effect – people’s behaviour may change if they know they are being observed. Ø Hard to generalise: small samples and people studied rarely representative of wider population. Ø Time consuming, labour intensive. © onlineclassroom. tv 2007
REPRESENTATIVENESS VALIDITY EVALUATION RECAP ISSUES PRACTICALITY RELIABILITY ETHICS
RELIABILITY REPRESENTATIVENESS VALIDITY
Observational Research • Observational studies vary in two main ways: • 1. The extent to which the researcher joins the activities of the group. The choice is between participant observation and nonparticipant observation • 2. Whether the researcher is honest and tells the group about the research, or prefers to pretend to be one of the group. The choice is between overt and covert research
Non-Participant Observation • Advantages: • You can be more detached and neutral • As the researcher is not making any decisions or joining in activities, the group may be less influenced than in participant observation • Disadvantages: • Merely observing leaves the researcher on the outside and may limit understanding • People may well act differently if they know they are being watched
Observation • Observation is both an active process and very subjective • This can easily be illustrated through the use of some optical illusions
How many horses in this picture? Should find 7
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