Participant observation is one of the methods of gathering information.It has its own classification, which is due to the collection of material, format, duration and regularity of the study, as well as some other parameters which we will reveal in this article.
Participant observation - a way to get information, which is used in various disciplines related to the study of human behavior: in journalism, psychology and sociology.
Thus, in psychology, this method is most often used in educational, social and developmental fields.
in sociology and journalism as a way of monitoring information about the object or situation.
in all directions, it can be combined with the experiment when the researcher creates specific conditions for the group of people and watching the events and reactions.Now proceed to the classification method of observation.
Participant observation: open and hidden
- Open observation is characterized by the fact that the researcher, falling into a group of people whose behavior he is interested in, does not conceal the purpose of their presence.Thus, the psychologist, being among children, encourages them to play the game, being a leader.During the process, he observes the participants and draw conclusions.Or, for example, a journalist, being in a crowd of protesters, will not hide the fact that he needs to make a report, however, he will also participate in the event.
- Covert Surveillance most often used in the study of conflict, where the researcher plays a role: it can be a provocateur who stirs the senses and evokes emotions in people for their bright displays, or peacekeepers, which aims to smooth things over, and encourage people toreconciliation.
Participant observation: direct and indirect
This method of obtaining information may be direct if the researcher is in contact with the participants of the event.Indirect observation suggests that the psychologist, sociologist or journalist investigating the phenomenon with the help of other social facts.The latter type of observation contradicts included only if the researcher uses a remote method of obtaining information that is not intended to contact with the participants.If the communication is adjusted, the observation can be indirect.
Participant observation: standardized and unstructured
- Having a plan of study or lack thereof determines the type of observation.So, if the psychologist or journalist pointed to a plan for action, while monitoring is considered to be standardized.
- spontaneous observation, which does not have a strict plan for, applies to unstructured.
Participant observation: systematic and unsystematic
- systematically performed with some regularity.Usually it is used in large studies that need information, time-tested, for example, to determine the effect of a new technique for the development of the individual.Very often systematic observation used by psychologists to work with children, where they point out how the child has changed, what are the trends of its development.
- unsystematic observation implies that the researcher conducts his only once.
method of participant observation: laboratory and field
- Laboratory observation - is the collection of information in specific conditions, prepared by artificial means before the start of the study.In this case, the psychologist creates a special atmosphere that prepares the materials that will work group and a journalist with the form of laboratory invites participants into the studio and (for example) is conducting the interview.
- When the form field study carried out in natural conditions, which were formed by objective circumstances.
