Unstructured Observations A form of observation where the researcher participates fully in lives and activities of research subjects and thus becomes members of subjects group, organisation or community. Participant Observation= · Qualitative technique . When researchers' role/identity is revealed, it's called overt observation and when concealed is covert observation . Research seeks to discover meaning that people attach to their actions · Those being researched are informants (not respondents or participants) · Covert observation raises ethical issues 4 Types of Participant Observation 1. Participant as observer a. researcher takes part in activity b. researchers' identity revealed c. researcher becomes partly immersed in activity 2. Complete participant a. researcher takes part in activity b. researchers' identity is concealed c. researcher becomes fully immersed in activity 3. Observer as participant a. researcher observes activity b. researchers' identity is revealed c. purpose is known to all those being studied 4. Complete observer a. researcher observes activity b. researchers' identity concealed c. purpose not known to those being studied 3 Phases of Activity in Participant Observation 5. Descriptive phase-> concentrate on observing and describing physical setting for the research, describing key informants, their activities, events and emotions 6. Narrative phase-> write up your findings and develop a framework of theory that will help you understand and explain events in research setting 7. Focused observation phase-> concentration on particular people and or events and interactions 4 Types of Data Collection in Participant Observation 8. Contextual data-> to place the research in its setting, information is required regarding key roles played by people, organisational structures and communication patterns 9. Primary observations-> things you have seen 10. Secondary observations-> statements by informants and other observers regarding what happened that you didn't see, this is their own interpretations of events
11. Experiential data-> your own perceptions and feelings regarding the events that you have witnessed and those that you have heard about. How have your views and feelings changed? Reliability & Validity Issues with Participant Observation Ecological validity is high as social actors (people) are being observed in their natural setting. However, until researcher fully understands the research setting, cultural and interpersonal nuances may be missed or misunderstood But once observer is familiar with research setting, they may stop being truly objective leading to: 12. Observer error- lack of understanding or over-familiarity with research setting 13. Observer bias- observer is so comfortable with the setting that their view is subjective and no longer objective 14. Observer effect- a change in behaviour of informants because they're being observed