Participation observation

What is structured non-participant observation?

Non-Participant Observation is where researchers take a ‘fly on the wall approach’ and observes individuals and groups without getting involved in the life of the group.

What is an observational schedule and is this used by positivists or interpretivists?

An observational schedule is a pre-determined list of behaviours the researcher wants to record. Each time the behaviour occurs, it is recorded and counted.

This produces quantitative data that can be used to identify patterns, correlations, and trends.

This is often used by positivists

What dilemma do researchers face when “staying in” a group during participant observation?

Researchers must balance two competing demands:

• Involvement – to understand the group’s behaviour and meanings.

• Detachment – to remain objective and unbiased.

Too much detachment limits understanding, while too much involvement risks loss of objectivity.

Advantages and disadvantages of non participant observation

Advantages:

• If observations are structured, it is relatively easy to make comparisons.

• They are generally cheaper and quicker to do that with participatory methods, because the researcher does not have to get to know the respondents.

Disadvantages:

• They lack validity because you are less able to ask why people are acting in the way that they do compared to participant observation

• Ethically they can be dis empowering for respondents (OFSTED inspections)

Practical advantages and disadvantages of participant observation

Advantages:

• Verstehen: It gives researchers insight into other peoples lives by allowing us to put ourselves in other peoples places (Verstehen).

• Sometimes participant observations may be the only suitable method for accessing certain groups such as groups who engage in deviant activity or groups unaware of their stereotypes

• Flexibility with questions

Disadvantages:

• Time consuming - produces large amounts of qualitative data which can be hard to categorise and analyse

• Requires sociological training

• Stressful, demanding and dangerous at times

• ‘Getting in’ a group is often hard