PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

Covert, overt, participant & non-participant

Lab, field & comparative

the researcher simply observes the group/event without taking part in it

the researcher actually takes part in the event/everyday life of the group while observing it

the researcher makes their true identity and purpose known to those being studied ~ the sociologist is open about what they are doing

the researcher actually takes part in the event/everyday life of the group while observing it

the researcher actually takes part in the event/everyday life of the group while observing it

the researcher makes their true identity and purpose known to those being studied ~ the sociologist is open about what they are doing

The study is carried out undercover, the researcher's identity and purpose are kept secret from the group being studied. The researcher takes on a false identity and role ~ usually posing as a genuine member of the group

staring at people in the street

John Howard Griffin

Gandhi

Jesus

Bob Marley

flying to America to see the Red Indians

where the researcher ceases to balance the roles of participant and observer and, instead, simply participates like any other group member.

removing yourself from the group

when you swim to the ladder of a pool, climb it and you are no longer in water

it avoids the ethical problem of obtaining information by deceit and when studying deviant groups that of being expected to join in their activities, i.e. smoking weed with them

it stops you from getting chilly because you are indoors

it allows the observer to ask the kind of naïve but important questions that only an outsider could ask

looking through a neighbour's window to see what they are having for tea

the observer can take notes openly

it allows the researcher to use interview methods to check insights derived from observations

a group may refuse the researcher permission to observer them

you can't get a good view of yo gurl

it risks creating the Hawthorne Effect

when the subjects of a research study don't know they are being studied and therefore don't behave differently

where the subjects of a research study know they are being studied and begin to behave differently as a result, thereby undermining the study's validity.

it reduces the risk of altering people's behaviour

you can wear a nice costume

it won't cause ethical issues

it requires the researcher to keep up an act and may call for detailed knowledge of the group's way of life even before joining it

there is always a risk of one's cover being blown

it may cause the Hawthorne Effect

it is immoral to deceive people

covert observers may have to lie about their reason for leaving the group

they may have to participate in immoral or illegal activities as part of their cover role

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