Using information from the items and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of participant observation to sociologists.

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Using information from the items and elsewhere, assess the usefulness of participant observation to sociologists.

Participant Observation is a method of data collection that takes advantage of the human ability to empathise. It is often most useful to interpretist sociologists, as the data gathered is usually qualitative, and the research is invariably low in reliability. It is also high in validity, as the information is shared in a trusting environment. However, it is important to remember subjects may exaggerate for sympathy or to boast.

There is a lot of depth and interaction involved in participant observation, therefore the data cannot be turned into measurable statistics. This is good for a sociologist using a micro, or bottom up approach, as they require feeling and opinions rather than numbers, as with positivists. Having said this, Emile Durkheim regarded suicide as a 'social fact', and used suicide statistics as hard evidence to explain a persons behaviour.

Participant observation is adopted by sociologists aiming to discover the nature of reality, and get involved with other peoples interpretation and understanding of particular social environments. Thus it is sometimes referred to as a 'naturalistic' method.

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Researchers want to put themselves in the shoes of another way of life, to get to the heart and live it as it is.

Participant observers face many difficulties in getting accepted by the group they wish to study, especially if they use a covert approach, as trust has to be gained and the researcher must ensure they blend in, and not arouse suspision. Getting discovered would not only cause trouble, and even gage violent reactions, but would also waste a lot of time and money spent on the observation.

For example, BBC reporter Donal Macintyre put himself at ...

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