The concept of observation as a research method in real-life settings

Observation is a key research method in sociology that involves watching and recording behaviour in natural, real-life environments. Interpretivists prefer observation because the researcher can get to the action.

It tends to produce qualitative data that's more valid than data from questionnaires.

Types of observation: covert and overt

Observation can be conducted in different ways depending on whether the subjects are aware of being studied.

Categories of observation based on awareness

• Covert observation:
  • The researcher does not inform the group that they are being observed.
  • The British Sociological Association (BSA) advises that you should only use covert observation when there's no other way of obtaining the data.
  • For example, Nigel Fielding (1981) used covert observation when researching the National Front because he believed he would encounter hostility if they knew he was a sociologist.
• Overt observation (direct observation):
  • The group is aware of the research and they know who the researcher is.
  • For example, Beverley Skeggs (1991) used overt observation when studying female sexuality among students at a college.

Types of observation: participant and non-participant

Beyond awareness, observation methods differ based on the researcher's level of involvement with the group being studied.

Categories of observation based on involvement

• Participant observation - The researcher actively involves themselves in the group.
• Non-participant observation - The researcher observes the group but isn't actively part of the group.

Advantages and disadvantages of participant observation

Participant observation places the researcher directly within the group, offering a close-up view of social interactions. However, it comes with significant challenges.

Benefits of participant observation

• Close proximity to action - The researcher gets right to where the action is — so they can check out the dynamics of a group from close up.
• Access to deviant groups - Participant observation allows you to research the workings of deviant groups.
• Authentic insights - The researcher gets first-hand insight of people in natural real-life settings.
• Uninfluenced behaviour in covert studies - If it's covert, people can't mislead the researcher.

Challenges of participant observation

• Risk of over-involvement - The researcher may get too involved and find it hard to stand back and objectively observe the group.
• Influence on group behaviour in overt studies - Overt research may influence the behaviour of the group.
• Ethical dilemmas in covert studies - The researcher in a covert observation may join in with illegal acts if they're in a deviant group.
• Lack of reliability - You can't repeat the research. It lacks reliability. A covert observer may find it difficult to remember all the events and accurately record them.
• Practical and ethical barriers - There are ethical and practical problems in getting in, staying in and getting out of the group.
• Limited representativeness - The research usually includes a small group so it's not representative of the population.
• Resource-intensive - It is hard work, time-consuming and expensive.

Advantages and disadvantages of non-participant observation

Non-participant observation allows researchers to study groups from a distance, maintaining separation from the subjects' activities.

Benefits of non-participant observation

• Greater objectivity - The researcher isn't drawn into the group so they can be more objective about the group's behaviour.
• Feasibility with deviant groups - If you want to observe deviant groups, you have to be very inconspicuous.

Challenges of non-participant observation

• Limited access to action - Observing from the outside stops you from getting to where the action is.
• Potential influence in overt studies - Overt research may influence the behaviour of the group.