Observational Study

A research study is only as good as the data it collects. In sociology, one of the most popular methods for collecting data is participant observation. This involves observing people in their natural environment and gathering information about their everyday lives. However, there are times when it is not possible or ethical to involve participants in a study. In these cases, non-participant observation can be used. In this article, we will discuss the differences between participant and non-participant observation, as well as provide an example of each. Observation Participant and non-participant – interview schedule questionnaires are major tools used to make observations in research. Let’s understand them. 

What is observation in sociology?

Observation in sociology means watching people and their behaviour without interfering. There are two types of observation: participant observation and non-participant observation. Participant observation is when the observer becomes a part of the group that is being studied. This type of observation allows the observer to get a closer look at the group and their behaviour. Non-participant observation is when the observer remains outside the group and simply watches their behaviour. This type of observation allows for a wider view of the group.

Participant observation in research

Participant observation in research is a questionnaire that is used to gather information from participants who are taking part in a participant observation study. The questionnaire asks participants about their background, the reason they decided to take part in the study, and what they hope to gain from it. It also asks participants to describe their experience of taking part in the study.

Non-participant observation in research

The non-participant observation in research is a questionnaire that is used to gather information from participants who are not taking part in a participant observation study. The questionnaire asks participants about their background, the reason they decided to not take part in the study, and what they hope to gain from it. It also asks participants to describe their experience of not taking part in the study.

Participant Observation examples

Following are some participant observation examples.

• Covert participant observation study of Blackpool Football Club’s supporters by Pearson (2009)
• Ethnography of an elite high school in the United States by Khan (2011, 2014)
• Ethnography of the world of the fashion model by Mears (2011) 
• Resigned Activism – Living with Pollution in Rural China by Anna Lora-Wainwright (2018)

Difference between participant and non-participant observation

Participant and non-participant observation are two completely opposite interview schedule questionnaires with the ultimate goal to bring out results and conclusions.Below-mentioned is the difference between participant and non-participant observation. The key difference between participant observation and non-participant observation is that the former demands direct involvement of the observer, while the latter does not. A participant observation demands the full-time presence of an observer in the research field, who is also a part of the group or community being studied. On the other hand, a non-participant observation does not require the direct involvement of the observer in the group or community being studied. The observer remains an outsider and simply collects data from the group or community. In participant observation, the purpose is to get an in-depth understanding of the group or community being studied. It is more holistic and helps in building trust between the observer and the observed. On the other hand, in non-participant observation, the purpose is to collect data from the group or community. The observer remains detached and does not get involved in the group or community.

Advantages of participant observation

The following are the main advantages of participant observation:

• It provides a more in-depth understanding of the group or community being studied
• It builds trust between the observer and the observed
• It is more holistic

Disadvantages of participant observation

The following are the main disadvantages of participant observation:

•  It is time-consuming and demanding
•  It requires the full-time presence of the observer
• The observer may get emotionally attached to the group or community being studied

Advantages of non-participant observation

The following are the main advantages of non-participant observation:

•  It is less time-consuming and demanding
• It does not require the full-time presence of the observer

Disadvantages of non-participant observation

The following are the main disadvantages of non-participant observation:

•  The observer remains detached and does not get involved in the group or community
• It is less holistic

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that students who observe their peers perform better on tests than those who do not. The interview schedule and questionnaire were useful tools in gathering data for this study. Future research could use different methods to measure the effect of observation on test scores.