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 are the advantages of covert surveillance?
- It does not disturb the normal behaviour of the group so there is higher validity.
- It allows the observer to dig deeper into the groups’ behaviour.
- It gives access to certain secret behavior of the group.
- Interviewer bias can be avoided.
- No prior knowledge of social incidence is required.
What are the advantages of overt observation?
A critical advantage of overt observation is that it enables the researcher to build some kind of rapport with the participants because the researcher, from the very beginning, is open and honest about the intentions of his/her research.
What are the advantages of non participant observation?
Some General Advantages of Structured Non Participant Observation. 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 disadvantages of covert participant observation?
- Time consuming.
- Difficult to gain access.
- Gamekeeper.
- Informed Consent.
- Deception.
- Protection from harm.
- Legality.
- Difficult to repeat.
What is covert observation and why is it important?
Covert observations, also considered going undercover, provide insights and understanding by watching the actions, behaviors , or communication patterns of a group without the knowledge of those being observed that research is being done. Thus, this method provides a more natural understanding of a phenomenon.
What are the strengths of participant observation?
The strengths of participant observation include the depth of knowledge that it allows the researcher to obtain and the perspective of knowledge of social problems and phenomena generated from the level of the everyday lives of those experiencing them.
What is a covert war?
A covert operation is a military operation intended to conceal the identity of (or allow plausible denial by) the party that instigated the operation . Covert operations should not be confused with clandestine operations, which are performed in secret and meant to stay secret.
What is a covert surveillance?
Surveillance is covert if it’s done in a way that tries to ensure the subject is unaware it is , or could be, taking place.
Is covert research unethical?
Covert research is research which is not declared to the research participants or subjects. This is often muddled with deception, and condemned as intrinsically unethical . The basis of that condemnation is a legitimate concern with the rights of research subjects. It is, however, over- generalized.
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. |
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Which is a weakness of observation?
So the weaknesses of observation are: Susceptible to observer bias . Susceptible to the “hawthorn effect,” that is, people usually perform better when they know they are being observed, although indirect observation may decrease this problem. Can be expensive and time-consuming compared to other data collection methods.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of overt participant observation?
Participant Observations (PO) gives first hand insight into a group’s life but there can be problems both joining and leaving , it can be time consuming and stressful. Overt PO avoids more of the practical and ethical issues then Convert PO however can possess more ethical and practical problems.
Do positivists like non-participant observations?
In terms of sociologists perspective Positivists prefer structured non-participant observations because the precoded nature of observational categories allow the researcher to produce quantitative data and so its easier to identify and measure patterns and establish the cause and effect relationships.
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 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.
