BMG871 International Business Assignment sample

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Task 2

Introduction

The observation method can be referred to as a process of observing and explaining the behaviour of a certain subject. The observation method is useful to gather reliable and accurate information by observing a subject. The observers need to build a connection with the respondent to merge himself in the same scenario as the respondent. The observation method is used to avoid data collection errors and bias during the data evaluation process. Data acquired through naturalistic observation methods are more valid than controlled methods because the behaviours of the respondents can be identified using this method. The observers collect objective data by closely observing the research subject and conduct an analysis process at a later stage.
ii. Discussion of dimensions that distinguish various approaches to observation
Dimensions
I. Structured and unstructured
Structured observation can be referred to as a systematic process where observation data is gathered based on a predefined schedule. According to Qian et al. (2019), observation methods can be categorized into two types based on data collection such as structured observation method and unstructured observation dimension. On the other hand, unstructured methods are conducted freely and pre-defined schedules are not followed in this method. According to Saarimäki (2019), observation methods can be divided into three different methods such as controlled observations, naturalistic observations, and participant observations.
II. Controlled and uncontrolled
The controlled observation is conducted in a closed space and the researcher has the sole authority to decide the place and timing of the observation. According to Celik (2019), the observer decides the observation participants and the situation where he will use a standardized strategy in case of controlled observation. The observation participants are selected randomly and the research observes the behaviour and activities of the participants to collect descriptive data. The researcher informs the participants about the research aim and avoids close contact during the observation process. The data collected through controlled observation are structured and analytical however lacking validity of information because the participants are aware of the observation process.
III. Participant and non-participant
This method is not highly reliable because the researcher cannot control all the variables in a natural scenario. According to Sumekto (2018), the researchers cannot identify the relationship between cause and effect because managing the different variables is not possible. Participant observation is similar to naturalistic observation; however, the observer maintains close contact with the participants. According to Roulet, Gill, Stenger, and Gill (2017), the researcher becomes a part of the participant group in the participant observation method. The researchers can interact with the other members of the group and participate in their activities in this method. Participant observation can be further categorized into two parts, such as overt and covert. Cover not gives any announcement regarding participants and or subjects. Overt can be referred to as a situation where the research asks permission of the participant group to participate in their activities.
IV. Concealed and unconcealed
Research professionals hide their true identity when they are participating in group activities in the case of the covert method. According to Sedano, Ralph, and Péraire (2017), data collection is comparatively easy in the unconcealed dimension because the researchers can participate in group activities. Researchers can get a better understanding of participants’ activities and behaviours using concealed dimensions. Research professionals build strong relationships with participating groups and they help the researchers to participate in activities in case of unconcealed dimensions. Researchers often get too involved with the participant groups during the observation process and it can affect the reliability of the observation. According to Halim (2020), identifying the true nature and activities of the participant groups is difficult in unconcealed dimensions. The overall reliability of the unconcealed dimension is lower than other dimensions because the respondents are aware of the observation process.
Dimensions that distinguish different approaches of observation
Four dimensions help to distinguish different approaches of observations such as controlled/uncontrolled, participant/non-participant, structured/unstructured, and concealed/unconcealed. Participant observation can be referred to as an observation method where the observer observes the situations, activities by taking part in the group from inside. The observer can openly interact with other members and participate in several group observation activities. According to Marietto (2018), researchers observe the activities and behaviour of participants from a distance in case of non-participating methods.
Controlled observation can be referred to as a situation where the observer and the observation participants both are in control. Controlled observation is useful for collecting systematic data on the other hand uncontrolled observations take place in a natural setting. According to Lall et al. (2019), uncontrolled methods are not pre-scheduled and there are no external influences on control. Structured observation is a planned observation that allows researchers to obtain crucial information. On the other hand, there are no systematic and pre-planned observations in the case of unstructured methods. Concealed observation is a research method where observers identity remains unknown from research participants however, in the case of unconcealed observation observers identities are not hidden from observation participants.
a. Participate vs non-participant observation
Participant observation
Participant observation can be described as a research method where researchers observe the activities and behaviour of a participant group closely. According to Chen (2021), research professionals openly interact with the participant groups and participate in group activities in participant observation. Researchers closely observe the daily activities of participant groups by becoming a member of the group. According to Reinharz (2017), Participant observation is used when the researchers can hide their true identity and become a member of a participant group. Participant groups should not doubt the intentions of research professionals otherwise the success of participant observation can be affected. Research professional’s personality, resources, and truthfulness can enhance the results of participant observations.
Natural behaviour and activities of participant groups can be observed through participant observation and the observers can build close relationships with the group members. According to Morgan et al. (2017), research professionals can identify the true characteristics of group members using participant observation. Observers can obtain an in-depth understanding of respondents’ feelings through participant observation. Researchers can discover key patterns and trends using participant observation however the lack of objectivity can affect the observation. Close relationships with the respondents may affect the interpretation of research professionals.
Non-participant observation
Non-participant observation is a research process where research professionals observe the participant group from a distance and do not participate in group activities. According to Handley, Bunn, Lynch, and Goodman (2020), researchers do not try to influence the respondents and do not take part in any group activities. However, the researcher can’t restrict them from participating in the activities. According to Rajkumar (2020), research professionals often use a combination of participant and non-participant observation for research purposes. Observers participate in small activities and observe the respondents from a distance in non-participant observation. According to sociologists, non-participant observation is a quasi-participant observation because disguising self-identity and observing participants is not possible without participating in any activities.
Research professionals can maintain the objectivity and naturality of research by leveraging nonparticipant observation. According to Hill, Pilling, and Foxcroft (2018), observers can obtain detailed and unbiased data using non-participant observation. Researchers get the respect and cooperation of participants in this observation method. Observers can conduct a detailed analysis of participant activities by continuously observing their behaviours. Observers do not have a clear understanding of certain activities in non-participant observation and it can lead to biased opinions.
b. Concealed vs unconcealed observation
Concealed observation
Concealed observation is a research process where the true identity of researchers remains hidden from the participant group. According to Niyonzima, Brennaman, and Beinempaka (2018), wildlife observations are an example of concealed observation, in this kind of observation observers’ identity can affect the whole process. Research professionals can obtain reliable and effective information by observing the natural activities and behaviour of respondents. According to Bhattacharya et al. (2019), Research subjects are unaware of the observation process in case of concealed observation. The researcher does not reveal the aim of the research to the participant groups to acquire natural data about the respondents.
The reactivity of the participant and ethical consideration are the major limitations of this observation process. According to Ray (2020), the validity of concealed observation is very high because this observation is conducted in natural surroundings. Research professions can identify unknown activities and behaviours of respondents using this observation method. Researchers do not need any prior knowledge about social situations and incidents in case of concealed observation. Research professionals can avoid biased information because they are not interacting directly with the participant group.
Unconcealed observation
Unconcealed observation is a research method where the researcher is not concealed from the participant groups. According to Fleisher (2021), unconcealed observation methods are rarely used by researchers because the known presence of an observer can influence the activities and behaviours of respondents. This observation process is used in certain situations where the influence of the known presence of the observer can be neglected. According to Devi (2020), Identifying the true activities and behaviours of the participant groups is difficult using unconcealed observation methods. Obtaining reliable and unbiased data by observing the respondents is difficult using this observation process.
Research professionals do not need to use structured processes and predefined schedules in unconcealed observation. According to Chik, Sentosa, and Shahruddin (2017), researchers do not require prior knowledge of social scenarios in unconcealed observation. This observation process is not reliable and the validity of this method is less than other observation methods. Research professionals participate in group activities in this observation which allows them to build a good relationship with the group members.
c. Examples of research studies where participant observation is used
Research study 1: Internet research ethics for the social age
The participant observation method is a qualitative research method where research professionals observe the participant group by participating in group activities. Internet research ethics for the social age is a research study where participant research is used. New challenges and causes about internet research ethics were evaluated in this study using participant observation. Conceptual, data, and applied challenges were observed using participant observation methods in this research study. The researchers were able to observe internet research ethics by participating in various activities related to research ethics. Qualitative data is collected by the researchers to evaluate the internet research ethics for the social age using this research approach. Frameworks such as value ethics, feminism, and the role of software engineers are observed and evaluated using this observation method. The researchers observed that social media research is often located between corporations and governments (Robson, 2017).
Research study 2: Participant observation approach to study refugees information practices
The researcher of the study called the participant observation approach to study refugees information practices used the participant observation method. The researchers have taken field notes about refugee information practices by closely observing the activities of women refugees and participating in different activities during the events. Informal meetings and discussions were conducted to collect descriptive data using participant observation. Challenges faced by the woman refugees are observed using this observation method. Researchers have taken memory note of the field activities and taken permission from the woman refugees to conduct the observation. The researchers have taken the help of a translator to participate and observe group activities during the observation process. Ethical issues in dealing with vulnerable refugee women are addressed in the study. The troubled lives of refugees are observed by the researchers using participant observation (Khan, 2020).
iii. Conclusion
Observation is a useful research method to observe participant groups and obtain qualitative data. Observers can establish a relationship with the respondents to identify new patterns in their activities and behaviour. The researchers can study and observe the changing behaviour of observation participants in a natural and open environment using the observation process. The research professionals collect data based on the participants’ behaviour in a natural environment. Research professionals can observe the natural flow of participants’ activities which helps to collect unbiased data. Concealed observation can be used to collect reliable and unbiased data however in unconcealed observation participant activities can be influenced by the researcher’s identity.

Reference
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