Participant and Non-Participant Observations (AQA A-Level Sociology): Flashcards
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Practise the cards
14 cards from this deck
Type of data produced by observational research
Type of data produced by observational research
Qualitative data - rich, detailed, and meaningful
Validity level of observational research
Validity level of observational research
High validity - naturalistic setting produces genuine behaviour
Participant observation definition
Participant observation definition
Researcher becomes immersed within the group, acting as a member
Non-participant observation definition
Non-participant observation definition
Researcher observes from external position without joining
Overt observation meaning
Overt observation meaning
Group is fully aware of researcher's presence and purpose
Covert observation meaning
Covert observation meaning
Group remains unaware that research is taking place
Observer effect (Hawthorne effect)
Observer effect (Hawthorne effect)
Participants change behaviour because they know they're watched
Weber's concept of verstehen
Weber's concept of verstehen
Interpretive understanding from participants' own perspectives
Ethnography definition
Ethnography definition
Detailed study of culture and structure of particular groups
Gatekeepers in observational research
Gatekeepers in observational research
People who control access to groups on society's margins
'Going native' in observational research
'Going native' in observational research
Researcher becomes too involved, losing objectivity
Main ethical concern with covert observation
Main ethical concern with covert observation
Studying people without their knowledge or informed consent
Reliability of observational research
Reliability of observational research
Low - difficult for other researchers to replicate exactly
Advantage: hard-to-reach groups
Advantage: hard-to-reach groups
Enables study of marginalised or secretive subcultures