Participant Observation Evaluation

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Questions and Answers

What is participant observation?

A research method where the researcher conducts experiments on participants
A research method where the researcher watches and records participants’ behavior without interfering in any way
A research method where the researcher takes on the role of a participant whilst observing other participants’ behavior around them (correct)
A research method where the researcher only interviews participants

What is a potential strength of participant observation?

Reduced chance of demand characteristics because participants do not know they are being observed by the researcher who is part of their group (correct)
High level of objectivity due to distance from the participants
Limited bias due to lack of interaction with participants
Easy data collection through experiments on participants

What is a potential weakness of participant observation?

High reliability due to carefully prepared notes during observation
Difficulty in observing people who would otherwise be very difficult to observe
Unreliable findings because it is difficult to take notes during the observation, so data relies on memory (correct)
Reduced chance of observer bias due to involvement in the group

What is non-participant observation?

A research method where the researcher watches and records participants’ behavior without interfering in any way (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential strength of non-participant observation?

High level of objectivity due to distance from the participants (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential weakness of non-participant observation?

Unreliable findings because it is difficult to take notes during the observation, so data relies on memory (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a non-participant observation?

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation (1969) (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of non-participant observation?

Less chance of observer bias (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of non-participant observation?

Difficulty in interpreting participant behaviors (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a content analysis involve?

Exploration of behavior to see what categories, codes or themes emerge (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of data does a content analysis convert into quantitative data?

Qualitative data (D) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of material is analyzed in a content analysis?

Written or verbal material such as magazines, television programs, websites, advertisements etc. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a strength of content analysis?

'Artefacts' being analyzed already exist, reducing demand characteristics from participants and experimenter bias from the researcher in creating materials. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential weakness of content analysis?

'Observer bias can affect validity of findings as different observers might interpret the meanings of the categories in the coding system differently.' (C) Signup and view all the answers

'Why can a content analysis not draw cause and effect relationships?'

The authors of the artefacts are usually unknown and therefore cannot easily be questioned as to why or how the behavior was explored. (D) Signup and view all the answers