What is the problem with participant observation?

What is the problem with participant observation?

One theoretical disadvantage is the low degree of reliability. It would be almost impossible for another researcher to repeat given that a participant observation study relies on the personal skills and characteristics of the lone researcher. Another theoretical disadvantage is the low degree of representativeness.

What are the three challenges a participant observer has to face?

The challenges to be faced include: access to the participants and obtaining informed consents, the role to be adopted during data collection by the researcher, establishing a trusting relationship with the participants (nurses, families and children), the effect that feeling observed may have on participants’ …

What types of ethical issues may arise for research using participant observation?

There are a number of ethical problems should to be considered during the process of one research. Every research methods will meet the ethical problems including the PO. In Norris’ work, three main principle of ethics of the research role outlined: informed consent, the invasion of privacy and the trust and deceit.

What of the following is the major disadvantage of the participant observation method?

A principal disadvantage of participant observation is its very time-consuming nature. Commitments of several months or even years, and takes precedence over one’s lifestyle. The observer is not in a position to control the action and must often wait for the activities of interest to occur.

What are the disadvantages of non participant observation?

Some General Disadvantages of Structured Non Participant Observation

• They lack validity because you are less able to ask why people are acting in the way that they do compared to participant observation.
• Ethically they can be dis empowering for respondents (OFSTED inspections)

Why is participation an ethical issue?

Ethical Issues The principle of voluntary participation requires that people not be coerced into participating in research. Essentially, this means that prospective research participants must be fully informed about the procedures and risks involved in research and must give their consent to participate.

What is the primary purpose of participant observation?

The goal of participant observation is to gain a deep understanding and familiarity with a certain group of individuals, their values, beliefs, and way of life.

What are different types of participant observation?

There are two types of participant observation; Overt and Covert. Overt: Involves the researcher being open with the group who they are studying, the society is aware that they are being researched, because the one researching them has informed them.

Why do sociologists use participant observation?

The participant observation method, also known as ethnographic research, is when a sociologist actually becomes a part of the group they are studying in order to collect data and understand a social phenomenon or problem. During participant observation, the researcher works to play two separate roles at the same time: subjective participant and objective observer.

Disadvantages of Non-Participant Observation: The following are the disadvantages of non-participant observation: (a) Subjectivity: In non-participant observation the observer does not have clarity about certain events on activities. He cannot clear his doubts by asking various questions to the group members.