1. Participant observation Starter: Create a spider-diagram about what you think participant observation is and examples of which projects it could be used for

2. Big picture Today’s lesson is based around the study of participant observation, a key element in the Research Methods Unit. We will be focusing on how sociologists gain access to certain groups of people be taking part in the activities which they conduct. Next lesson will be focused on non-participant observational techniques.

3. Participant observations Learning objectives: To understand what participant observation is. To know the uses and limitations of participant observations To assess the difficulties in using participant observations as a research technique

4. In participant observation (PO) the researcher joins the group and participates in its activities as a full member on a daily basis in order to investigate it. In covert PO the researcher joins the group without informing its members about the purpose of the research. Overt PO, is when the researcher comes clean, so that the group being researched is aware of his or her activities. However, the researcher’s presence may cause the Hawthorne Effect.

5. Problems with Covert Obserbations Researchers need to be careful about asking too many questions in case they ‘blow their cover’ The group being studied is not aware that they are being studied and therefore cannot give their consent

6. Uses of covert observations It may sometimes be the only way to study and develop sociological knowledge about topics related to illegal activity. People do not change their behaviour if they do not know they are being watched (The Hawthorne effect)

7. Task 1 Sort the statements into either advantages or disadvantages of participant observations. You have 5 minutes to complete this task.

8. Task 2 You will be split into groups Each group will have to research a case study where a sociologist has completed a study with the use of participant observations. Each group will then present back to the class the methods, findings and difficulties that the researcher had with each case study. You have 15 minutes to complete this task. Case study 1 – AQA (Collins, p31) Case Study 2 – Blue book (Wilson, p21) Case Study 3 – Orange Book (Blundell, p37) Extension activity 1.Explain what is meant by non-participant observation. 2.Explain the difference between covert and overt participation. 3. Explain what is meant by ethical issues. What ethical issues arise from observing people?

9. Task 3 A GCSE student decided, that for her coursework she will study the behaviour of a group of boys in her year who watch a football match together. What kinds of problems would she face Draw up a list of 5 points that you could offer her, such as what she should wear to how she should speak. Hint: Use the information which you found about while reading the case studies to help.

10. Plenary Complete the fill in the gap activity. The first person to complete it will win a... MERIT

11. Plenary- Answers By participating in activities the participant can see things from the group’s perspective and develop a deeper understanding of the group and activities, at first hand. This enables the researcher to obtain a more valid or truthful picture of the group.

12. Homework Using examples, suggest two ways in which observing people may be considered unethical / wrong. (6)