What type of research is participant observation?
qualitative data collection methodology
Participant observation is a qualitative data collection methodology that provides rich descriptive information on human behaviors and experiences in a particular context. This approach enables a researcher to participate in a social group and observe people as well as the environment.
What is a participant observation in psychology?
Participant observation is the process of entering a group of people with a shared identity to gain an understanding of their community.
What are the 4 steps of participant observation?
According to Howell (1972), the four stages that most participant observation research studies are establishing rapport or getting to know the people, immersing oneself in the field, recording data and observations, and consolidating the information gathered.
How is participant observation used in research?
To conduct participant observation, the researcher often lives within the group, becomes a part of it, and lives as a group member for an extended period of time, allowing them access to the intimate details and goings-on of the group and their community.
What are the two types of participant observation?
There are two types of participant observation; Overt and Covert.
What is participant observation and why is it useful?
Participant observation helps us to see and understand what people are doing, which we can compare to what people are saying. It helps us to see if people are doing something different from what they say that they do.
What is an example of a participant observation?
Examples of covert participant observation include studies in which researchers observe and even interact with people in public places, such as restaurants, transportation hubs, stores, and online chat rooms, but do not introduce themselves as researchers or inform people that they are being studied (Sharf 1997; …
What is the key element of participant observation?
The three components to participant observation are gaining entry, establishing rapport, and spending enough time with research participants to answer research questions.
When should you use participant observation?
SCHENSUL, SCHENSUL, and LeCOMPTE (1999) list the following reasons for using participant observation in research:
- to identify and guide relationships with informants;
- to help the researcher get the feel for how things are organized and prioritized, how people interrelate, and what are the cultural parameters;
What is an example of participant observation?
An example of participant observation is extended observation and participation in a hospital over nine months to understand the perspectives and experiences of nurses and patients.
What are three advantages of the participant observation method?
Advantages
- Validity – produces rich qualitative data which shows picture of how people really live.
- Insight – Allows researcher to gain empathy through personal experience .
- Flexibility – more flexible and allows for an open mind.
When should participant observation be used?
Why Participant Observation is Used? There are several reasons why participant observation is a valuable and suitable research method. One of the main reasons for using participant observation is that it allows the researcher to gain an insider perspective, in addition to an outsider perspective.
What are the pros and cons of participant observation?
Advantages and Disadvantages of Participant Observation
- Validity – produces rich qualitative data which shows picture of how people really live.
- Insight – Allows researcher to gain empathy through personal experience .
- Flexibility – more flexible and allows for an open mind.
Why is participant observation reliable?
The general strengths of participant observation are the fact that is it very flexible as a research method and it provides a high quality level and depth of information which it provides. It also offers a greater understanding of the societies it studies and encourages opportunity for empathy.
What is an advantage of participant observation research?
Participant observation provides more flexibility with regard to qualitative research than other methods that use this approach. It allows researchers to maintain an open mind, giving them opportunities to follow up on different ideas, theories, and directions if something interesting occurs during their work.