Participant and Non-Participant Observations

When may participant observations be necessary?

For the observer to become part of the group they’re studying.

What are non-participant observations?

When the researcher remains separate from those they’re studying and records behaviour in a more objective manner.

When may non-participant observations be the only option?

When it’s impractical or impossible o join particular groups.

What can the researcher do in participant observations?

Experience the situation as the participants do; giving them increased insight into the lives of the people being studied.

What may participant observations increase?

The validity of the findings.

What’s the danger of participant observations?

The researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they’re studying and lose objectivity.

When may researchers lose objectivity in participant observations?

When line between being a researcher and a participant comes blurred.

What do non-participant observations allow the researcher to do?

To maintain and objective psychological distance from their participants so there’s less danger of getting close.

What may participants lose in a non-participant observations?

The valuable insight as they’re too far removed from the participants and behaviour they’re studying.