- It is easier for the researcher to blend into the background compared to participant observation, which should mean people act more naturally.
- It should have better reliability than with participant observation because the research is less involved.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of participant observation as a method?
(i)
The method involves a lot of time and effort
. (ii) It also involves a lot of expenses during work. (iii) It is not necessary that the report consists of the views of the insider or of the sociologist, as the sociologist may become consciously or unconsciously bias in selecting what to write and what not to.
What is a weakness in participant observation?
Some drawbacks or weaknesses of this method are that it
is very time-consuming
, with researchers spending months or years living in the place of study. Because of this, participant observation can yield a vast amount of data that might be overwhelming to comb through and analyze.
What are the strengths of observation?
- (1) Simplest Method: …
- (2) Useful for Framing Hypothesis: …
- (3) Greater Accuracy: …
- (4) An Universal Method: …
- (5) Observation is the Only Appropriate Tool for Certain Cases: …
- (6) Independent of People’s Willingness to Report: …
- (1) Some of the Occurrences may not be Open to Observation:
What are the advantages of non participant observation?
A non-participant observation is one where the researcher chooses not to play any part in what is being observed. An advantage of this is that
it allows for a more objective view of what is occurring
.
What is an example of non participant observation?
Covert non-participant observation refers to
observing research subjects without them knowing that they are being observed at all
. Sometimes researchers pretend to be customers or passers-by, or even use one-way mirrors, for example.
What are the disadvantages of participant observation?
- It can be very time consuming.
- It generates a vast amount of data.
- By participating in activities, the researcher can inadvertently influence the other participants’ behavior.
- Active involvement in the group can cause the researcher to lose objectivity and may lead to bias.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of observations?
| Strengths: Weaknesses: | More natural behaviour occurs if people are unaware of observation. Observer may affect behaviour if detected. | Studying of animals that cannot be observed in captivity. Difficult to replicate – cannot control extraneous variables. |
|---|
What is the major problem with using participant observation?
The form it takes is a function primarily of the observer’s experience, awareness, and personality.
Anxiety and bias
are sources of distortion, and their adequate handling is a major problem in refining the human instrument for gathering data.
How reliable is participant observation?
Participant observation is not known as one of the
most reliable types of research methods
. This is because they are virtually impossible to repeat and the data they produce is only the opinion of one observer, another may interpret it completely differently.
What is participant observation examples?
Examples of covert participant observation include
studies in which researchers observe and even interact with people in public places
, such as restaurants, transportation hubs, stores, and online chat rooms, but do not introduce themselves as researchers or inform people that they are being studied (Sharf 1997; …
What is the difference between participant and non participant observation?
The primary difference between participant and non- participant observation is
that in the former the researcher joins the group being studied and actively takes part in their activities, thereby collecting data from first-hand empirical experience
, whereas, in the latter the researcher may be physically present in a …
What is the benefit of participant observation?
Verstehen/empathetic understanding– participant observation
allows the researcher to fully join the group and to see things through the eyes (and actions) of the people in group
. Joining in allows the researcher to gain empathy through personal experiences.
What are the weaknesses of observation?
Observations are time-consuming and hard work at every possible hour of the day. An
observer can get emotionally involved in what he observes
, and by consequence lose his neutrality . It is impossible to write down everything that is important while observing (and participating).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of covert observation?
An advantage of covert observation is that
it should be high in validity
, as people are observed in natural surroundings, and – as they are unaware of being observed – the Hawthorne Effect is avoided. However, a disadvantage of covert observation is that it raises a number of ethical concerns.
What is non participant observation used for?
Non-participant Observation involves
observing participants without actively participating
. This option is used to understand a phenomenon by entering the community or social system involved, while staying separate from the activities being observed.
