Observations

What is observation?

A research method where sociologists watch and record people's behaviour.

What is participant observation?

When the researcher joins the group or setting they are studying.

What is non-participant observation?

When the researcher observes the group without becoming a member of it.

What is overt observation?

When participants know they are being observed.

What is covert observation?

When participants do not know they are being observed.

What is a strength of participant observation?

It can provide detailed insights into people's behaviour and meanings.

What is a weakness of participant observation?

It can be time-consuming and difficult to record all the information observed.

What is a strength of covert observation?

Participants are less likely to change their behaviour because they do not know they are being studied.

What is a weakness of covert observation?

It raises serious ethical issues because participants cannot give informed consent.

What is a strength of overt observation?

It is more ethically acceptable because participants know they are being studied.

What is a weakness of overt observation?

The Hawthorne effect may occur because participants know they are being observed.

What is the Hawthorne effect?

When people change their behaviour because they know they are being observed.

What is observer effect?

The influence of the researcher's presence on the behaviour of participants.

Why do interpretivists favour participant observation?

It allows researchers to understand behaviour from the perspective of participants.

Why can observations lack reliability?

Different researchers may interpret and record the same behaviour differently.

Why can observations have high validity?

They allow researchers to observe behaviour directly rather than relying on what participants say.

What ethical problem is particularly associated with covert observation?

Lack of informed consent and possible invasion of privacy.