What Is Participant Observation?

Naturalistic observational research is important because it allows researchers to observe people in a natural habitat without any variable manipulation. Most importantly in naturalistic observation, the researcher does not interfere with the situation in any way. Naturalistic observation can be structured or unstructured; for this study, unstructured naturalistic observation was mostly used. There were pre-determined characteristics that the researchers wrote down on a spreadsheet, however, specific behaviors were recorded as they happened (i.e., the type of reaction that resulted from each person who picked up the card). Naturalistic observation is important in psychological research because it gives insight into the natural behaviors of people. When a person is unaware they are being observed it reduces change in behavior, which can occur when if they are aware that they are being observed.

Naturalistic observation is observing behavior in an open, relaxed environment. This method allows a researcher to watch someone’s uninhibited reactions compared to surveys or case surveys where you can answer truthfully or untruthfully. The strengths of naturalistic observations are better generalizing, subjects are comfortable which adds to higher degree of realism

Observations involves watching people’s behaviour or looking at some other phenomenon. There are different types of observations which include informal and formal observation.

My participant observation research project is on sex offenders. A few topics I would be interested in is different type of offenders, such as pedophilic and non-pedophilic. I know sex offending is horrible all together but I really hate when I hear about children and teens being hurt. My questions would be what causes their urge to offend children? How do they know the victim? How to help the offender?

In the article, “Researching Dealers and Smugglers,” Patricia Adler discusses her and her husband’s experience using participant observation to collect data from drug dealers and the problems this qualitative method brought. A qualitative method focuses on collecting rich, non-statistical data. This method involves face-to-face interviews and actual participation with the group being researched. The Adlers use this method because it is almost impossible to gather accurate information on people who smuggle drugs. This is true because they are such private and deceitful people. The only way to get the real facts is if the smugglers trust the person. Unfortunately, participant observation brought problems such as the dealers and smugglers

present. Most come for the free pizza. It sounds funny, but it is true. I pay attention

Observation is very important in young children because that is how you get to know a child better. While observing how a child interacts with their peers, adults, and how they behave in different settings, you are getting to know the child without speaking to them.

Observation is very important in young children because that is how you get to know a child better. While observing how a child interacts with their peers, adults, and how they behave in different settings, you are getting to know the child without speaking to them.

In the term of method, Observation is a type of tool that uses for collect information of people like watching what people do. In the way of carry out research in psychology observation is a method that can work obvious (McLeod, 2015). Study about people that use ASL (American Sign Language) must use observation and understand how deaf people use ASL. Sometime people observation by using video clip or picture but most of people will observation by themselves. In the other way of doing research is find information from internet. Most people must find information form internet because it easy to find information and have everything that most people want to find. Finding information about ASL can find in the internet in the way of what is ASL, how to use, who use it and why use it but it also have disadvantage

Shawn accompanies himself alongside, he became an observing bystander, but remaining an introverted soul with the shining eyes of admiration. He constantly found himself shying away from his peers or age groups. In the midst of people getting out there and delivering a nice chat, he spied a super cute 18-yr-old Caucasian Deaf

A strength of participant observations are ecologically valid. Rather than gathering quantitative data from participants answering questionnaires, when there is no guarantee that they are giving accurate answers, participant observation provides high amounts of qualitative data and the researcher can go into greater detail. By observing the groups of individuals

Sociologist use observations mainly when they are observing a particular behavior, or an reaction to a certain situation. When they are observing, the researcher is not talking, or interacting with anyone, they are just

Looking and listening Participant observation involves looking and listening. The general rule is to ‘go with the flow’ rather than forcing the pace and influencing peoples behaviour. Since the aim is to observe people in their normal setting, the research must not disturb that setting. Blending into the background is usually recommended, though this is not always possible. For example, a participant observer in a classroom can stand out like a sore thumb. This can result in an ‘artificial’ lesson. However, its surprising how soon he or she becomes invisible and taken for granted. In his study of a secondary school, Walford (1933) found that it took four weeks of observation before any class misbehaved. However, the situation changed rapidly after this time and Walford was soon watching ‘mock wrestling’ and chairs flying around the classroom!

Clearly, a number of questions that researchers want or need to address relating to human behaviors or actions cannot be addressed or answered by traditional research methods. One of the best ways to answer a number of these questions is the use of observation. Observational research is best used when the following factors are recognized and accommodation made to address them: Such factors are:

A type of qualitative research that allows study of real life behaviors is called participant observation. When conducting participant observation the researcher may actually participate as a functioning part of the unit or maintain a neutral position as an observer only. Maintaining neutrality can prove to be a challenge for some participating researchers. Berger reminds the interviewer to keep key questions in mind using who, what,when, where, and how. Fundamental factors in participant observation are the setting, participants, nature of the group, participants behavior, and frequencies of behavior. Observation is a path to obtaining information. Keep records of information by ways of annotation or through modern day technology with photography and video. Tally sheets can be used in recording types of behavior and the frequency in which they occur. Collected information will assist in the development and explanation of a hypothesis for the study.