Page 93 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes Personal

In personal observation, a researcher observes actual behaviour as it occurs. The observer may
or may not normally attempt to control or manipulate the phenomenon being observed. The
observer merely records what takes place.
Mechanical
Mechanical devices (video, closed circuit television) record what is being observed. These
devices may or may not require the respondent’s direct participation. They are used for continuously
recording on-going behaviour.

Non-participant
The observer does not normally question or communicate with the people being observed. He
or she does not participate.

Participant
In participant observation, the researcher becomes, or is, part of the group that is being investigated.
Participant observation has its roots in ethnographic studies (study of man and races) where
researchers would live in tribal villages, attempting to understand the customs and practices
of that culture. It has a very extensive literature, particularly in sociology (development, nature
and laws of human society) and anthropology (physiological and psychological study of man).
Organisations can be viewed as ‘tribes’ with their own customs and practices.
The role of the participant observer is not simple. There are different ways of classifying the
role:

• Researcher as employee.
• Researcher as an explicit role.
• Interrupted involvement.

• Observation alone.
Researcher as employee
The researcher works within the organisation alongside other employees, effectively as one of
them. The role of the researcher may or may not be explicit and this will have implications
for the extent to which he or she will be able to move around and gather information and
perspectives from other sources. This role is appropriate when the researcher needs to become
totally immersed and experience the work or situation at first hand.
There are a number of dilemmas. Do you tell management and the unions? Friendships may
compromise the research. What are the ethics of the process? Can anonymity be maintained?
Skill and competence to undertake the work may be required. The research may be over a long
period of time.

Researcher as an explicit role
The researcher is present every day over a period of time, but entry is negotiated in advance
with management and preferably with employees as well. The individual is quite clearly in
the role of a researcher who can move around, observe, interview and participate in the work
as appropriate. This type of role is the most favoured, as it provides many of the insights that
the complete observer would gain, whilst offering much greater flexibility without the ethical
problems that deception entails.

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