Participant Observation Advantages and Disadvantages free essay sample

All methods involve observation, but participant observation is characterized by the extent to which its advocates insist on observation and interpretation of a situation, informed by an understanding of the situation from the point of view of the participants rather than the observer. An attempt is made to avoid imposing categories from outside. Participant observation is the method of anthropology, although it is used in a wide range of sociological studies when the researcher has become part of a daily round, learning languages and meanings, rules of impersonal, relations And in short, living the life of the people under study. (Hughes, 1976). Traditional participant observation is usually undertaken over an extended period of time, ranging from several months to many years, and even generations. An extended research time period means that the researcher is able to obtain more detailed and accurate information about the individuals, community, and population under study. Types of Participant Observation Non participant observation is an observational investigative method whereby the researcher or observer attends group events and records the observations without taking part in the groups activities. We will write a custom essay sample on Participant Observation Advantages and Disadvantages or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The group has knowledge that the observer is present, but he or she is an inactive attendant. Covert observation is a research method in social science. With this method, the researcher goes undercover as one of the participants of the group he/she chooses as subject of the study. The researcher participates on the activities of the group while making observations on their behaviour or whatever factors are being studied. Overt observation involve researcher being open about the reason for her presence in the field of study since the researcher is given permission by the group to conduct her research and the use of a sponsor, who is an individual likely to occupy a high status within the group, therefore lessening any potential hostility towards the researcher. Participant observation is a research method in which the researcher actually takes part in the social phenomenon being studies. Structured observation refers to a systematic method of data collection, where there is considerable pre-coding and observation that normally takes place. In this method, the researcher records down all the events that he has observed in the field. Advantages of Covert Participant Observation An advantage of covert observation is that it allows us access to social groups that normally would not provide consent to being involved in studies. Therefore, allowing us to research and expand knowledge on lesser-known social groups, which in turn will widen our Psychological understanding of the world. Also, this type of observation avoids problems surrounding observer-effects and so may be considered to be higher in validity than overt observations. One famous example of covert participant observation is that undertaken by Erving Goffman in his study of mental hospitals, published as Stigma in 1968. Goffman worked in an asylum for the mentally ill as Assistant Athletic Director. His research was mainly covert, with only a couple of staff being privy to the knowledge of his research, and via this method he was able to uncover the unofficial reality of life in a mental institution. Advantages of Overt Participant Observation An advantage of overt observation is the avoiding ethics issues such as deception or lack of informed consent. Furthermore, it also prevents the researcher from becoming over-familiar with the participants and ‘going native’. Therefore, aiming to keep the observation objective and free from bias. Also data may be openly recorded. An example of overt participant observation is William F. Whytes study Street Corner Society, (1943) where he was protected from potential antagonism by his friendship with Doc, his sponsor. However, Whyte, despite employing an overt participant observer role, did increasingly come to view himself as one of the gang during his fieldwork research. Disadvantages of Covert Participant Observation Covert participant observation automatically raises ethical concerns. In this case, the researcher may not be protected, or may not protect others, from the risk of harm- especially if they social group they are studying are a deviant group that may partake in violent acts. Also, they will be deceiving the participants and will lack informed consent. Also, in this type of observation there are chances that the researcher could become bias in their view and may ‘go native’. Another disadvantage is close friendships are often resulting from connections with members of the group under study and the covert nature of the research can put a tremendous strain on the researcher, both in and out of the fieldwork setting. Example of a covert observation would be the famous Bandura’s 1961 Bobo doll study. In this study, after watching a model act violently the children were unknowingly observed as they played with toys, so the researcher could measure the childrens level of aggression after watching a model acting aggressively. The children were unaware that they were being observed and the reasons why they were involved in this study and therefore they would more likely to show natural displays of behaviour. Disadvantages of Overt Participant Observation However, a disadvantage would be that the participants understand the aims of the observer and so there is likely to be possible observer effects (the participants changing their behaviour acting in a way that they believe is expected by the experimenter). An example of an overt observation would be Williams, 1986 study on the media effects on anti-social behaviour in children. In this study 6-11 year old children from an isolated society were assessed on their levels of aggression after the introduction of TV. The children knew they were being studied and so they may have shown demand characteristics or social desirability effects. Quantitative Data Quantitative data refers to the numerical facts and figures that are collected during a research investigation or field of study. The data and or observations are then analysed and used to interpret a situation or event. Data is measured on a numerical scale such as a histogram, chart etc. Quantitative evidence provides a good overall picture of a population or geographical region. It can also often be used to measure trends over time. This type of evidence is valuable for describing who, what, where and when. Quantitative Primary Sources Primary data is most generally understood as data gathered from the information source and which has not undergone analysis before being included in the needs assessment. Primary data is collected directly from the affected population by the assessment team through field work. Primary data is most often collected through face to face interviews or discussions with members of the affected community, but can also be gathered through phone interviews, radio communication, email exchange, and direct observation. Quantitative Secondary Sources Quantitative secondary sources include a huge of statistical data produced by groups like companies, charities and pressure groups. A major source of such data is the mass of official statistics collected by national and local governments and other official agencies. These include census data, statistics on birth, marriages and deaths, and social services, unemployment, education, crime and health statistics. Qualitative data Qualitative data is information which does not present itself in numerical form and is descriptive, appearing mostly in conversational or narrative form. A good example of qualitative data is an answer that describes how good a certain type of massage feels-such data can not be quantified. Qualitative evidence provides richer, deeper and broader information based on a few individuals or case examples. This type of evidence is valuable for describing how and why. Qualitative Primary Sources The most common method is the qualitative research interview, but forms of the data collected can also include group discussions, observation and reflection field notes, various texts, pictures, and other materials. Qualitative research often categorizes data into patterns as the primary basis for organizing and reporting results. Qualitative researchers typically rely on the following methods for gathering information: Participant Observation, Non-participant Observation, Field Notes, Reflexive Journals, Structured Interview, Semi-structured Interview, Unstructured Interview, and Analysis of documents and materials. Qualitative Secondary Sources A secondary data is that which is found by another researcher that you then use yourself. Where you get this data from is known as the secondary source. Qualitative secondary sources could be newspapers, novels, art, autobiographies, diaries, TV programmes, historical documents, school reports, as well as many other examples. Conclusion Participant observation involves the researchers involvement in a variety of activities over an extended period of time that enable him/her to observe the cultural members in their daily lives and to participate in their activities to facilitate a better understanding of those behaviours and activities. The process of conducting this type of field work involves gaining entry into the community, selecting gatekeepers and key informants, participating in as many different activities as are allowable by the community members, clarifying ones findings through member checks, formal interviews, and informal conversations, and keeping organized, structured field notes to facilitate the development of a narrative that explains various cultural aspects to the reader. Participant observation is used as a mainstay in field work in a variety of disciplines, and, as such, has proven to be a beneficial tool for producing studies that provide accurate representation of a culture.