1. The BIG Idea
ObservationS
Identify the different types of observation methods used by sociologists, and issues associated with conducting an observation.
Evaluate the strengths and limitations of observations.
We are Learning to...
In today’s lesson...
GOOD learning …
Be able to identify and describe four different types of observation that sociologists use to conduct research.
GREAT learning …
Be able to identify and describe four different types of observation that sociologists use to conduct research, and more than one issue associated with observational research.
EVEN BETTER …
Be able to identify and describe four different types of observation that sociologists use, more than one issue associated with observational research, and evaluate the strengths and limitations of observational research.
Wordle 1

2. LAUD HUMPHREYS

3. KEY WORDS Participant Observation Covert Overt
Someone who is part of a group being researched.
To watch over and take note of what happens in a social situation.
To do something undercover, without people knowing.
To do something that is not hidden. Everything is out in the open.

4. Participant Observation Non-Participant Observation
Covert
Overt

5. Other Types Educating Yorkshire Patrick - Glasgow Gangs
Pearson’s (2009) covert participant observation study of Blackpool Football Club’s supporters
Mears’s (2011) ethnography of the world of the fashion model
I. Eileen Barker, "The Making of a Moonie", 1984 attended meetings, workshops and communal facilities of the Unification Church members to identify whether they were brainwashed into joining or whether there was choice involved.
2. William F. Whyte's study Street Corner Society, 1943 studied the behaviour of a juvenile gang through overt participant observation where he was protected from potential antagonism by his friendship with 'Doe', his sponsor.

6. Participant Observation Non-Participant Observation
Covert
A researcher pretends to be a teaching assistant to observe the classroom behaviour of pupils.
A researcher joins an illegal gang to observe the relationships that exist in the group.
A researcher pretends to be a normal bus passenger to observe pupil interactions on the way home from school.
Observing the interactions of mothers and children using a hidden camera.
Overt
A researcher is introduced by the teacher, then works as a teaching assistant to observe the classroom behaviour of pupils.
A writer joins a group of miners and works with them, after explaining he is planning on writing a book about them and their profession.
A researcher is introduced by the teacher, then sits at the back of a classroom and conducts his observation.
‘Big Brother,’ and ‘Educating Essex.’

7. > Participant Observations
Before examining the strengths & limitations of Participant Observations, it is important to explore some of the various issues that the researcher is faced with when choosing to use P.O…
Gaining entry into the group….
> ‘Getting In’:
Making Contact: This highly depends on the researchers personal characteristics & connections:
Polsky was able to gain access to the world of pool easily as he was a very good pool player.
Polsky (1971) ‘Hustlers, Beats & Others’.
Patrick gained access to the a Glasgow gang as he had taught one of the gang members.
Patrick (1973) ‘A Glasgow Gang Observed’.

8. Acceptance of the Group: The Researcher might find it difficult to gain trust & build rapport with the group. This could be influenced by age, class, gender, ethnicity (Researcher Effects).
Thornton’s age meant that she was slightly older than the group she was studying making it more difficult to be accepted by the group.
Thornton (1995) ‘Rave Culture’.
To gain acceptance into ‘the Black culture’ in apartheid America, Griffin (a white man) used sun lamps & medication to turn his skin black.
Griffin (1962) ‘Black Like Me’.

9. > ‘Staying In’:
Once in to the group, the Researcher faces a new major issue……
‘Going Native’: This means that the researcher loses their objectivity as a researcher and begins to identify with the group to the point that they become one of them – the researcher thus becomes bias (not objective)
In order to be accepted by the police that he was studying, Punch over-identified with them. He found himself aiding arrests, holding suspects, searching houses & shouting at people who abused ‘his colleagues’.
Punch (1979) ‘Policing the Inner City’.

10. > ‘Getting Out’:
Although this is arguably the easiest part of the P.O study, it too poses many problems…….
Patrick ended his research early as he could not face the violence that the group carried out any longer.
Patrick (1973) ‘A Glasgow Gang Observed’.
Other problems in ‘Getting Out’ include the following:
> Loyalty to the Group
> Publishing the Research (& details of the group)
> Re-entering ‘Reality’.
As previously mentioned, within P.O, the researcher also has to decide on whether to conduct Overt or Covert Research. This in itself creates new dilemmas for the researcher…..

11. The Major Problems with Overt Observations
The Hawthorne Effect
The “Screw You” Effect

12. Participant Observations
Overt
Fewer ethical problems
Practical
Taking notes
Check peoples’ opinions
Risks Hawthorne effect
Harder to gain access
Covert
Allows you to see behaviour people might otherwise hide (Humphreys)
One of the most valid method. People are observed in their natural environment.
Difficult to record. Researcher must rely on their memory.
Dangerous – requires the researcher to stay ‘undercover.
MASSIVE ethical issues!!!
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