Page 411 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

378 n PARTICIPANT OBSeRvATION

small children, the mentally impaired, or varies greatly, from full disclosure to no dis-
elderly stroke survivors. The challenge for closure, and is often based on the research-
P the researcher is to combine the activities of er’s estimation of how scientific truth can
observation and participation so that under- best be obtained.
standing is achieved while maintaining an The amount of time the researcher
objective distance. spends in observation and the scope or focus
To carry out participant observation, of the observation also depend on the pur-
the researcher needs to decide on (a) the pose and intent of the research. In some cases,
role of the observer, (b) the degree to which the participant observation experiences are
the role is known to others, (c) the degree carried out for the length and duration of
to which the purpose is known to others, the research. In other research studies, par-
(d) the amount of time that will be spent in ticipant observation may occur at only one
conducting the observation, and (e) the scope point during the study. For example, some-
of the observational focus. There is a contin- times a researcher may choose to enter the
uum along which the role of the observer field and become a participant observer
may be involved that ranges from involve- prior to conducting interviews. This gives
ment of the researcher in all aspects of the the researcher time to learn about a commu-
observational experience to only partial or nity, group of people, or situation and then to
minimal involvement. The researcher bases use this knowledge to develop questions for
this determination on the research question subsequent interviews. In addition, the focus
and the nature of the research. For example, and intent of the observations may vary from
a researcher who assists in a homeless shelter making general observations of the entire
may wish to be involved in all aspects of the situation, context, or event to very focused
daily routine; another researcher may wish observations. For example, a focused obser-
only to conduct observations in a busy emer- vation might include personal interactions or
gency room for which the routine is more a specific nursing or caring behavior.
complex. On the other hand, an invitation One major concern in using participant
to participate in a special ceremony or ritual observation is the degree to which subjects
may involve only partial participation. may become sensitized to the researcher’s
The degree to which the observer’s presence and may not behave as they nor-
role and the purpose of the observation are mally would if the researcher were not pre-
known to others also is related to the intent sent. The issue of subject sensitization can be
of the research. In some cases, the role of the addressed by increasing the duration of time
researcher will be known to all, and in others the researcher spends in the observational
it may not. If the purpose of the study is to experience. A longer time spent in observing
know and understand a particular ritual or can also enhance and strengthen the research-
religious ceremony, for example, the role of er’s credibility as well as any theoretical and
the researcher may be known to all involved empirical generalizations that are made.
in the situation. In other cases, the role of the In summary, participant observation is
researcher may be minimized, as in situa- a commonly used approach to data collec-
tions in which the informants may not fully tion that is used in naturalistic or qualitative
understand the researcher’s participation: research. It is an approach that allows the
observing children on a playground or in a researcher to gain an insider’s perspective
children’s unit in a hospital. However, ethical on a social situation or event and can per-
and moral issues arise when the nature and mit the researcher to be totally or minimally
role of the researcher are not made known involved.
to all of the individuals being observed. The
extent to which individuals are informed Kathleen Huttlinger