Non-Participant Observation

One of the most famous studies of non-participant observation led to what is known as the Hawthorn effect. This was a factory where the managers were trying to increase the productivity of their workers. They brought in experts to look at how they worked and to try different methods to ultimately increase profits such as increasing and decreasing heat in the factory. It was found that whatever variables were controlled that productivity increased. It was concluded that just the fact that the workers were being observed was enough to increase the work-rate.


Some of the Advantages of Non-Participant Observations include:

• It is a simple and cheap method to use.

• If people are unaware they are being observed they will act as they normally do.

• It can be used to analyse social interaction in a wide variety of contexts.

• It can be a very valid research method given the correct circumstances. 

The Disadvantages of Non-Participant Observations:

• It relies heavily on the researchers interpretation of what is going on. 

• The researcher selects the actions they deem significant.

• The researcher may interpret things from their own ethnic/gender/class standpoint which can affect the validity of the research. 

• If people know they are being observed they will act differently than usual.