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|What are the benefits and drawbacks of participant observation as a research method? |
|Student number - 894900 |
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This essay will explore the benefits and limitations of using participant observation as a research method. It will do this by firstly exploring the variations within this method; secondly it will compare this method as a whole to the use of surveys. Thirdly this essay will explore the benefits and limitations of this method as a whole, however due to the word constraint not all the negatives and positives will be discussed. Finally the conclusion will be reached that participate observation is a beneficial research method and the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, especially with the use of disclosed observation.
According to Burnham et al participant observation is a form of qualitative method of research, and it is mainly use in subjects such as Sociology and anthropology (Burnham et al, 2004:P221). Furthermore it is rarely used in Political Science, however it is odd, it can be applied to the study of small political parties and groups (Burnham et al, 2004:P221).
Furthermore...