Chapter 4

Observations

Chapter 4 of Performing Music Research examines three different types of observation: (1) participant observation, in which the investigator has a dual role, acting as both participant and researcher, thereby placing value on the insights gained through an “insider” perspective on the phenomenon under observation; (2) semi-structured observational methods, typically used when a researcher wants to observe specific behaviors as more of an “outsider” but also wishes to retain an element of open-ended enquiry; and (3) quantitative, structured observational research, which relies on a more objective and detached observation of predetermined categories. Throughout, the chapter considers the advantages of each of these methods and the challenges they pose.

Practice questions

Chapter 4

1 / 10

Participant observation is always qualitative.

2 / 10

Which of these features is not typical of participant observation?

3 / 10

Concurrent or retrospective reports made while or immediately after carrying out each stage of a task are known as _________________ (Ericsson and Simon, 1993).

4 / 10

Research on learning cultures and the conservatory conducted by Perkins (2013a) involved the administration of questionnaires.

5 / 10

Which of these characteristics is typical of semistructured observation?

6 / 10

Dividing video-recordings into segments of a particular duration and coding each of the behaviours observed in a selected proportion of segments is called ________________ sampling.

7 / 10

What is the first thing you must do before collecting observational data?

8 / 10

Observations can be said to have intra-observer reliability if the same person observes the same data on two occasions, obtaining the same results.

9 / 10

What term describes a tool for generating knowledge?

10 / 10

When drawing up a coding scheme in which behaviors are operationally defined, what should your chosen categories be?

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