exam 4 midterm

What is the difference between participant observation and nonparticipant observation?

There are some differences between participant and nonparticipant observation. For instance, participant observation is when researchers collect data directly from the group they are studying. It also means watching the events, situations, or activities from inside by taking part in the group to be observed.  Usually, when a group is aware that they are going to be observed by a stranger, they tend to become self-conscious, uneasy, and as a result, they lose their ability to act neutrally. In participant observation, the respondents seem unaware that they are being observed. As a consequence, they are free to act as they choose without fear of being observed by a stranger. In contrast, nonparticipant observation occurs when data is not collected directly from the study area by researchers themselves. At the same time, it implies that researchers observe outside the group without participating in the group activities. In non-participant observation, objectivity or neutrality can be preserved. The observer in this style of observation delivers a distant and unbiased perspective of the group.

Differentiate controlled, independent, and dependent variables.

In a science experiment and a research paper, the key variables are the controlled, independent, and dependent variables. Independent variables are variables that are controlled and manipulated by the experimenter or researcher. Basically, it is the part of the experiment that the researchers decide to change.  This variable is not dependent on any other variables. The dependent variable, on the other hand, is the measurement that changes as a result of the experiment. This variable is dependent on other variables.  In contrast, the control variable refers to a parameter that affects the experiment and that they attempt to remain constant under all situations. During the period of the experiment, the constant variable is the only thing that doesn't change. In an experiment, the researcher is searching for the potential influence on the dependent variable caused by changing the independent variable and keeping the controlled variable constant.