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Participant Observation (Overt and Covert)
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COVERT AND OVERT
What is an Overt Observation?
What is a Covert Observation?
Name 1 strength and/or 1 limitation in an Overt Observation?
Name 1 strength and/or 1 limitation in a Covert Observation
What are the names of the three effects involved in
the considerations when carrying out a covert or an overt observation
Festinger et al - 1956
Strengths - Covert Method
Aim - To observe how members of a cult (a belief) would react to the failure of their prophecies.
Role-play example of a Covert Observation
THE AIM OF USING A PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION AS A RESEARCH METHOD..
Method - Festinger and his psychologist colleagues joining a cult, pretending they were new converts to the beliefs of the cult, interacting with the members and analysing their behaviours.
- The researcher may gain special access to social groups that may not usually allow or give consent to be studied.
- Participants are not prone to either demand characteristics or the observer effect
Limitations - Covert Method
"To gain an understanding of the subject’s point of view and experience events as the participant would."
- The researcher is prone to being forced to partake in dangerous activity that could potentially cause physical or mental harm
- The researcher may find it very difficult to do things thaat could be potentially put a strain on the researcher and their own morals.
- Ethical considerations not being met such as brief, anonymity and consent.
- The risk of ‘going native’ where the researcher ceases the study and becomes a participant.
- The leader of this group was told that she and the believers in the flood (the other cult members) would be saved by a flying saucer on the date of their predicted flood -
How are research methods distinguished?
What is an Overt Observation?
It is when the researcher enters the participant’s life openly, or with them knowing. Often this will involve the researcher explaining their purpose.
- The sources of information that are drawn on
- How the information is sampled
- Types of instruments that are used in data collection
- Qualitative data, Quantitative data or both ?
PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
Results - It was observed that the members publicized their beliefs, members giving up their jobs and sold their possessions in anticipation of the flood.
What is a Covert Observation?
Conclusion - The actions of the cult members after the non-event of the end of the world reflect the theory of cognitive dissonance. The members rationalized reality and changed their behaviour in order to preserve their self-image and their views of the world.
Role-play example of an Overt Observation
Covert participant observations involve the researcher becoming fully involved in the subject’s life, without any kind of information given to the participant. Therefore, the reasons for their presence remain unknown. Researchers using the covert participant observation method need to ensure that all data collection is done secretly
Strengths - Overt Method
Limitations - Overt Method
Role-play example of the Audience Effect, disclosure and the Hawthorne Effect
- The method is prone to the observer effect, (When the participants actions are influenced by the researchers presence.)
- Demand characteristics
- The ability to ensure ethical considerations are met
- Overt participant observations make it less likely that the researcher will ‘go native’
- Recording of data is easier as behaviour can be openly documented
Youtube Video
-Displaying conflict when a researcher uses Participant Observation-
Participant Observation
(Overt and Covert)
By Grace Hallewell, Anson Vo, Sidne Sheather, Eveline Lupu and Nick Turner
Year 10 Psychology HL 2012
Year 10 HL Psychology
CONCLUSION
-Participant observation can be either covert (When the researcher is observing the group/participants by blending in) or overt (When the researcher tells the group/participants that they are being observed).
Overt Study Strengths- ability to ensure ethical considerations are accompanied by limitations -Observer effect
Covert observations strengths- Participants have access to social groups which may not be given consent to study however a limitation may include that the researcher may be prone to participating in dangerous activities.