PSYC 3430 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: William Foote Whyte, Institutional Review Board, Ingroups And Outgroups

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This chapter reviews three basic activities that science requires: measurement, research, and theorizing. Two important measurement methods observing groups and questioning group members. Observation: a measurement method that involves watching and recording individual and group actions. Researchers who study groups often begin with observation. No matter what group it is, the researchers often watch as the group members interact, perform their tasks, make decisions, confront other groups, seek new members and so on. Various approaches of observation exist but essence is : watch and record the actions taken by group members. William foote whyte: used observation while studying street corner gangs". Whyte used observation as basic assessment tool and he did that watching himself. He also took part in groups activities and the group knew they were being studied. He didn"t quantify his observations, he described what he observed. Covert observation: watching and recording group behavior without the participants" knowledge.