Participant Observation In Sociology
Participant observation is a form of observational research method where the researcher takes part in the event or the everyday life of the group while observing it. Participant observation is classified into two types, covert – where the group is unaware that they are being observed by a researcher as he assumes a false identity and overt observation is where the researcher reveals his true identity and purpose to the group being studied, therefore making them aware that they are being observed.
Interpretivists highly favour the participant observation method be it covert or overt as a way obtaining data. They believe that because people’s behaviour is influenced by the interpretations and meanings they give to social situations the researcher’s …show more content…
Naturally such groups are likely to be cautious and suspicious of strangers who come prying into their private lives. Which is why when James Patrick (19730 wanted to conduct a study on a Glasgow gang he had to change his name and gain access to said gang through a student he had previously taught.
However because of how time-consuming participant observations are, it poses as a practical disadvantage for researchers. This can be seen by how long it took for William Whyte (1943) to conduct and complete his ‘Street Corner Society’ study – four years to overtly observe young men from an inner-city Italia community in Boston, USA.
By contrast participant observation allows the sociologist to gain empathy (verstehen) through personal experience. By actually living as a member of a group, they can gain insight into their way of life, their meanings and viewpoints, their values and problems. This is demonstrated by john H. Griffin’s ‘Black Like Me’ (1959) study. Griffin wanted to experience first hand the impact of white racism on black people and so using medication and sun lamp treatments darkened his skin. He travelled around the Deep South of the USA, living and working as a black man and concluded that ‘with [my]…decision to become a Negro I realised that I, a specialist in race issues really knew nothing of the Negroes problems’ this closeness to people’s lived reality means that the findings from participant observation can give uniquely valid, authentic
Interpretivists highly favour the participant observation method be it covert or overt as a way obtaining data. They believe that because people’s behaviour is influenced by the interpretations and meanings they give to social situations the researcher’s …show more content…
Naturally such groups are likely to be cautious and suspicious of strangers who come prying into their private lives. Which is why when James Patrick (19730 wanted to conduct a study on a Glasgow gang he had to change his name and gain access to said gang through a student he had previously taught.
However because of how time-consuming participant observations are, it poses as a practical disadvantage for researchers. This can be seen by how long it took for William Whyte (1943) to conduct and complete his ‘Street Corner Society’ study – four years to overtly observe young men from an inner-city Italia community in Boston, USA.
By contrast participant observation allows the sociologist to gain empathy (verstehen) through personal experience. By actually living as a member of a group, they can gain insight into their way of life, their meanings and viewpoints, their values and problems. This is demonstrated by john H. Griffin’s ‘Black Like Me’ (1959) study. Griffin wanted to experience first hand the impact of white racism on black people and so using medication and sun lamp treatments darkened his skin. He travelled around the Deep South of the USA, living and working as a black man and concluded that ‘with [my]…decision to become a Negro I realised that I, a specialist in race issues really knew nothing of the Negroes problems’ this closeness to people’s lived reality means that the findings from participant observation can give uniquely valid, authentic