This document discusses observational research methods in social science. It describes direct observation, participant observation, covert and overt observation, structured and unstructured observation. It also discusses advantages and disadvantages of different observational techniques like using informants, direct vs indirect observation, and participant vs nonparticipant observation. The goal is to explore social life and experiences through flexible research designs using inductive reasoning. Case studies and ethnography are example methods.

1. POL / SOC 360-01
Spring 2015

4.  Focus on Social Life & Participant Experiences
 Emphasis on Exploratory Questions
 Use of Inductive Reasoning
 Flexible Research Design
 Researcher Subjectivity

6.  Case Studies
 Ethnography
 Netnography

8.  Social science research is rooted in some kind
of observational technique
 We collect data in this way everyday
 Examples?

9.  Direct vs. Indirect
 Participant vs. Nonparticipant
 Overt vs. Covert
 Structured vs. Unstructured

10.  Direct Observation
 Directly observing behaviors among individuals,
groups, or societies
 Observation can be structured or unstructured
 Indirect Observation
 Indirectly observing behaviors among individuals
groups, or societies

11.  Participant Observation
 Investigator is both actor and spectator
 Regular participant in the activities being observed
 Example: Studying Campaigns; Social Problems
 Nonparticipant Observation
 Observer does not participate in group’s activities
or become a member of the group or community
 Example: City Council Meetings

12.  Acceptance by group is necessary
 Use of informants
 Advantages? Disadvantages?

13. Ruth Horowitz

14. ADVANTAGES
 Natural Setting
 Opportunity to
observe for long
periods of time
 Degree of accuracy
and completeness
DISADVANTAGES
 Many instances of
political behavior are
not accessible for
observation
 Lack of control over
the environment
 “Small-N” Problem

15.  Overt Observation
 Those being observed are aware of the investigator’s
presence and intentions
 Covert Observation
 Investigator’s presence is hidden or undisclosed
 His or her intentions are disguised
 Example: Public Restrooms and HandWashing

16.  Structured Observation
 Investigator looks for and systematically records
incidence of specific behaviors
 Unstructured Observation
 All behavior is relevant, at first, and recorded
▪ Only later, upon reflection, will investigator distinguish
between important and trivial actions

18.  Nonverbal Behavior
 Spatial Behavior
 Linguistic Behavior
 Extralingustic Behavior

19. ADVANTAGES
 ResearcherControl
 Convenience
DISADVANTAGES
 Subjects know they
are being observed

20.  People generally behave as they would
ordinarily
 Investigator is able to observe for longer
periods than would be possible in laboratory
setting

21.  “Going Native”
 Field Notes