Covert participant observation

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Covert observations are when research is done without the group being researched knowing. Participant observation involves a researcher actually joining the group they are studying. This is done by participating in activities over a period of time and therefore becoming an accepted part of the group. An example of this would be ‘A Gang of Glasgow’. A sociologist who called himself James Patrick went undercover to study the violent behaviour of the teenagers in a gang in Glasgow. He concealed all his personal information for his own safety.

A practical advantage of this is that no prior knowledge of social incidents required, however it could be difficult to gaining access and maintain cover in the group. Another disadvantage could be taking part in the activity and observing simultaneously such as in ‘A Gang of Glasgow’ James Patrick would likely have to have taken part in eligible behaviour. The ethical disadvantages could include that the researcher has to deceive the group and therefore invading privacy. This could end in possible mental or physical harm. A validity advantage could however include that you are more likely to observe natural behaviour, this is representative of smaller social groups. The data is highly unlikely to get consistent or comparable results due to qualitative data and different group dynamics.

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