Sociological Methods....?

Question

What is meant by the following?

Participant observation

Covert observation

Overt observation

Ethnographic

If you could give a simple explanation of each, I'd appreciate it!

Answer 1

I'm going to do my best here (but it'd help if I could see they context this list was used within).......

1. Participant observation:  The researcher makes his/her observations and gathers data by participating in the event, lifestyle or activity.  This might be done by attending a concert as an audience member or studying religious experience by actually joining a church group.

2.  Covert observation:  This requires the researcher to remain distant from the event/events themselves.  The researcher is only watching/listening and gathering data, but is not contributing to the experience in any way.  More importantly, it's usually important in these scenarios for none of the participants to even know the researcher is even present or gathering data.

3.  Overt observation:  The participants (people walking by on the street, the people attending the concert) all know full-well that the researcher is present.  He/she doesn't try to "hide" themselves or their data-gathering actions in any way.

4.  Ethnographic:  The most fun method of all!!!  The researcher moves into the village!!  He/she lives with, eats with, plays with the subjects themselves.  Unfortunately, the researcher (sometimes) then skews the data because he/she becomes a part of the group of subjects. Most anthroplogists use this method.  If you're going to study rock bands.......you join the band!!!  If you're going to study high-level business executives, you become one yourself.

Answer 2

Hi, got a sociolgy theory and methods paper tommorow.

participant observation- where the researcher takes part in the act. eg laud humphreys and the  tea room trade.

covert observation- where the people being observed dont know that they are being observed ie the researcher doesnt tell them. eg the above example or sissons paddington station.

overt observation- the opposite where the people know, sociologist tells them they are being studied.griffin 1995 sudy of feminist witches.

ethnography-  study groups and/or cultures over a period of time.