participant observation advantages and disadvantages

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Participant observation relies heavily on the skills of the researcher. The best price. That means the interaction between the participant and the researchers is a critical component to the success of this work. It helps to speed up the work of collecting information to prove or disprove an idea while keeping the overall costs of the project down compared to other methods of information gathering. That means the information that gets collected through the participant observation process is not authentic, even if it appears to be. Several disciplines use this methodology as scholar-practitioners work to gain a close or intimate familiarity with a specific group of individuals in a targeted demographic. Participant observation is useful for studying groups like gangs, issues like juvenile delinquency, and cult-based religious indoctrination. Researchers using the participant observation method must know where to look for data and how to ask the right questions to gather information. Any form of qualitative research, including participant observation, collects data passed on individual perspectives, reactions, and responses. The information gathered by participant observation as a predictive quality. High ecological validity if observation is covert. Difficult to be objective. In the main body of this essay, this idea will be addressed by pointing out advantages and disadvantages of participant observation. Data is collected and interpreted through the lenses of the observer. That means this time-consuming approach may not be beneficial unless the theory or idea under consideration can receive direct study through the particular group in question. Traditional participant observation is usually undertaken over an extended period of time, ranging from several months to many years, and even generations. Very limited or no evaluation. 806 8067 22, Registered office: International House, Queens Road, Brighton, BN1 3XE. You can make comparisons with this info to look at how specific situations occur in unique population groups, but there is also no way to provide a quantitative sample or statistical representation of what is presented. This is especially useful, now that Research Methods is integrated into the Paper 1 & 2 and I like that you mention Paul Willis which is exactly what I was looking for, also for the Specification, Thank You!! Although a defined starting point is necessary for almost any information-gathering effort, this method can continue pressing forward until funding stops coming in for the work. Advantages of Observation: (1) Simplest Method: Observation is probably the most common and the simplest method of data collection. 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 … That means participant observation captures more of a snapshot in time than a long-term perspective when gathering data. Tips for Collecting Useful Observation Data 10. HELP! 6. Created by: mariawindsor23; Created on: 10-05-16 09:21; Advantages and Disadvantages of Non Participant Observation . Most participant observation studies require several years of data collection work before it can start producing results. Each person tends to react the same way whenever a similar set of circumstances happen to them. 8. Researchers must get directly involved with the particular demographic they want to study so that the data they collect is authentic. Allows researcher to see what goes on with their own eyes - can make judgements and observe body language used ; Researcher can be more open minded as … Participant observation can be an open-ended process. Learn disadvantages of participant observation with free interactive flashcards. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Participant Observation as a Research Method This essay will examine how participant observation is used as a research method. How Does One Conduct an Observation? However there are disadvantages such as the hawthorne effect which can effect the validity of the research. », Validity - produces rich qualitative data which shows picture of how people really live. You might like to read my more detailed post on Participant Observation before reading the essay below, which should easily get you into the top mark band.. For more information about the exams, please see this page.. 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