Observations (participant and non-participant)

    AQA
    GCSE

    Observations constitute a primary ethnographic method within Sociology, ranging from structured, non-participant techniques favored by Positivists to unstructured, participant approaches central to Interpretivism. This study area demands a critical evaluation of the trade-off between reliability and validity, the negotiation of access via gatekeepers, and the ethical complexities of covert research. Candidates must assess the capacity of observations to generate 'Verstehen' (empathetic understanding) versus the limitations imposed by the Hawthorne Effect and the risk of 'going native'.

    0
    Objectives
    4
    Exam Tips
    3
    Pitfalls
    3
    Key Terms
    4
    Mark Points

    What You Need to Demonstrate

    Key skills and knowledge for this topic

    • Credit explicit application of 'verstehen' when justifying participant observation for sensitive groups
    • Award marks for distinguishing between the practical issues of access (gatekeepers) and the ethical issues of informed consent
    • Candidates must evaluate the trade-off between the high validity of covert observation and the inability to record data in real-time
    • Reward references to classic studies (e.g., Barker, Patrick, Venkatesh) to substantiate theoretical claims about rapport

    Marking Points

    Key points examiners look for in your answers

    • Credit explicit application of 'verstehen' when justifying participant observation for sensitive groups
    • Award marks for distinguishing between the practical issues of access (gatekeepers) and the ethical issues of informed consent
    • Candidates must evaluate the trade-off between the high validity of covert observation and the inability to record data in real-time
    • Reward references to classic studies (e.g., Barker, Patrick, Venkatesh) to substantiate theoretical claims about rapport

    Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for maximising your marks

    • 💡Use the PERVERT mnemonic (Practical, Ethical, Reliability, Validity, Examples, Representativeness, Theory) to structure 12-mark evaluations
    • 💡Always link the method to the specific context of the Item if provided (e.g., observing gangs vs. observing classrooms)
    • 💡Differentiate clearly between 'going native' (loss of objectivity) and establishing rapport (gaining trust)
    • 💡Allocate 15 minutes for the 12-mark essay, ensuring a conclusion that weighs the method's suitability

    Common Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

    • Confusing 'reliability' (replicability) with 'validity' (truthfulness) when assessing observational data
    • Failing to distinguish between 'participant' (joining in) and 'non-participant' (watching from outside) observation
    • Asserting that overt observation solves all ethical problems without acknowledging the Hawthorne Effect

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    Likely Command Words

    How questions on this topic are typically asked

    Identify
    Describe
    Explain
    Discuss
    Evaluate
    To what extent

    Ready to test yourself?

    Practice questions tailored to this topic