Participant Observation

What is Participant Observation?

• The researcher observes the group or event.

• The researcher takes part in an event or the everyday life of a group while observing it.

• The researcher asks participants questions to help with the study.

• The researcher uses questionnaires to conclude their study.

Why can 'Getting In' the group being studied be an issue?

• Its hard to get out

• 'Getting in' takes a lot of effort and many researchers don't want to take the time to try

• The researchers don't have the skills to enter some groups

• Some groups are easier to enter than others

What must a researcher do to 'get in' to a group they want to observe? (3)

• Gain acceptance

• Disguise themselves

• Pay the group

• Make contact

• Identify their role

How do you gain acceptance?

• Have to win the groups trust

• Have to act like the group to earn acceptance

• Bribe them

• Pretend to be a new member of the group

What are the two main things a researcher should do during their study?

• Offer a good vantage point from which to make observations

• Use in depth interview methods to gain insights

• Avoid disrupting the group's normal pattern

• Tell the group what they have found as its happening

One problem for the researcher can be that they have to be both involved in the group so as to understand it fully, an at the same time detached from the group to remain objective and _____________

What does is meant by 'going native'?

• Wanting to stay with the group

• Trying to change the group to your culture

• Becoming over-involved.

• Loosing interest in the group

The more time the researcher spends with the group, the less strange its ways come to appear. What problems may this cause?

• The researcher may adopt these ways into their everyday life.

• They may be put in danger.

• They may stop their study as they think their isn't anything to evaluate.

• The researcher may stop noticing things that they would usually see as unusual or noteworthy.

After the study, researchers may find they have a degree of loyalty towards participants. What issues may this cause? (2)

• May prevent them from disclosing everything they've learnt due to fears that it might cause harm to members of the group.

• They don't want to leave.

• They may represent the participants in a better way than what they wee actually like.

• Concealment of data will reduce the validity of the study.

True or False? Covert observation is where the researcher reveals their true identity and purpose to the group and asks their permission to observe.

• True

• False (Overt observation)