Covert Participant Observation Research Articles

Post-Pandemic Shifts in Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors in a Marine Protected Area

Interest in understanding environmental attitudes and behaviors after traumatic events has been widely studied, but research specific to the COVID-19 pandemic has yielded inconclusive results. This study addresses a gap by exploring the relationship between COVID-19 and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) in marine protected areas (MPAs), which are vital for preserving marine ecosystems and biodiversity. We focus on scuba divers’ environmental attitudes and behaviors within an MPA, using a mixed methodology that combines surveys based on the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale with covert participant observation. Our findings indicate a moderate increase in pro-environmental concerns post-pandemic, particularly regarding nature’s fragility. However, a gap remains between expressed attitudes and actual behaviors, with notable differences in pro-ecological behavior during leisure activities compared to behavior at home. Additionally, risk perception related to COVID-19 has gained prominence, often overshadowing environmental concerns. This study contributes to a better understanding of environmental attitudes and behaviors in the context of MPAs during the ongoing social changes post-COVID-19. These insights can guide more sustainable management of MPAs and inform future research, which should further explore these trends in similar contexts.

Academics' mobility in the agglomeration of Constantine: A transports post-use evaluation

The purpose of this study is to closely examine and analyze the increasing phenomenon of academics? urban mobility among students and teachers in the Constantine agglomeration through the examination of their movements. The employed methodology incorporates diverse qualitative research methods, such as covert participant observation, acquiring documentary and statistical data, establishing a research basis on the context, and post-use evaluation through an e-questionnaire survey. The analysis was conducted using tools such as GIS and SPSS. The evaluation utilized distinct criteria, such as origin-destination patterns, modal utilization, travel expenses, and frequency, travel timetables, commuting duration, and disparities between outbound and return journeys. The findings indicate that the commuting circuits of academics are mainly deployed in high-traffic circulation routes. The focus is on intermodality, which entails utilizing transportation modes other than personal vehicles and university buses, primarily due to the presence of a tramway line connecting the Constantine universities. The bus and taxi are frequently employed as the principal means along the tramway. The transport method, its cost, and the frequency of movement are significantly correlated. The travel schedules include peak periods in the morning and evening, and commute time is influenced by factors such as choice of transport mode, accessibility, and traffic congestion. The transport system in the Constantine agglomeration witnesses substantial usage during the academic period.

Customer experience management for highly demanded services in the financial market in crisis

Purpose: to provide differentiated marketing solutions for manage customer experience based on various demographics, behavioral characteristics and customer values in the process of servicing for investing in gold.Methods: the current study was based upon general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, applied methods of marketing research. The field market research and analysis of customer experience were carried out in relation to investment opportunities available in banks: physical gold and depersonalized metal accounts. A qualitative research method included “Mystery shopper” – a covert participant observation research of 8 banks in Moscow – the major players offering services for investing in gold.Results: the authors found out that investing in gold becomes in demand during the crisis time. Gold, as an investment opportunity, is a protective asset and retains its value in a long term. The target segments potentially interested in investing in gold can be determined by demographic and behavioral characteristics, desired benefits and values. The authors analyzed the customer experience journey of two segments in the process of investing in through different banking channels. The customer experience was illustrated with customer experience maps that propose management solutions for banks that desire to offer gold investment services.Conclusions and Relevance: in the context of geopolitical and economic instability, the demand for investment opportunities in gold remains high. While customers value high level of services and investment appeal banks are interested in obtaining a stable income. To provide a mutually beneficial cooperation it is important to create a level of service that would fully meet consumer demand. The basis to create a high-quality service for investing in gold include specific management strategies enabling to receive omnichannel (both digital and non-digital) customer experience in various customer segments.

(Circular) Path Dependence—The Role of Vineyards in Land Use, Society and Regional Development—The Case of Lubuskie Region (Poland)

The main goals of the article are: (a) presentation of the wine traditions of the region in the context of the concept of path dependence and wastescapes, as well as their impact on the spatial, social and promotional aspect of wine making; (b) identification and characteristics of the vineyards in Lubuskie Region in 2021; and (c) linking wine traditions with creating the identity of the region and implementing activities supporting its development. A case study was performed in accordance with the triangulation of research methods and techniques: (1) analysis of existing data and relating them to the activities of vineyards; (2) covert participant observation technique; and (3) qualitative field interviews with vineyard owners or managers. The vineyards of the Lubuskie Region are an important tourist attraction and local wines enrich the local food offers. However, the scale of production, still being rather small, comes with higher costs of obtaining the final product. At the social level, wine-growing activity presents a great deal of value and importance, and appears to be a reflection of positive endeavours. Wine making in the region is a complex example of contemporary cultural and social processes that are only just beginning to be observed in area.

Green Care in Poland. Essence, limitations and development opportunities with the kujawsko-pomorskie province as an example

Abstract An ageing society has triggered the development of new intervention mechanisms and the engagement of both state and non-governmental institutions. It can be said that, for each group of persons, place-of-residence and social-structure-specific social security models must be designed. In Poland, such innovative actions include the initiative of launching care farms, known as green care. This article presents the results of the current study and observations of the operation of such farms in the kujawsko-pomorskie province. The study mostly involved the use of qualitative methods: interviews with carers, a covert participant observation and the analysis of the opinions of the psychologist coordinating the care farm therapy. The study shows that the idea of green care is quite easily implemented in the rural areas of Poland, with plenty of potential clients and farms which, with sometimes inconsiderable investment inputs, can be adapted to welcome that specific group of guests. However, one must note many barriers, especially a lack of permanent sources of green care financing, in many places a profound distrust of the local community for changes and innovations, and uncertainty regarding the continued care prospect, which can result in an even greater social withdrawal of the clients and an abandoning of the efforts by the carers and farm owners for a further operation to be continued.

Emerging from the ‘worst’: An ethnography of the modern Filipino commuting culture behind the Metro Manila traffic crisis

Metropolitan Manila has become the world’s ‘worst’ in terms of its traffic scenarios and such crisis left an impact to the commuters which has led to the emergence of the modern Filipino commuting culture. The ethnography utilized covert participant observation in which the researchers immersed themselves in the culture and experience the activities of the commuting culture. They also conducted personal and synchronous interview to the participants involved. The findings of the study are summarized through five emergent themes which represent the roots of the culture’s existence, the commuters’ preferences on public transit modes, the features of Metro Manila commuting experiences, the coping mechanisms and adjustments done by commuters, and the desires and decisions for commuting experiences, respectively. Also, the mentioned culture reflected the Filipino values such as patience, crab mentality, and the misused value of resilience. The findings ended with a concrete recommendation to establish an Internet-based platform for Metro Manila commuters and a summary report intended for public transport stakeholders and public officials.

Causes of deficits and ethical dilemmas in scientific research

The analysis of the deficits and ethical dilemmas in research will be related to two disciplines of the social sciences: sociology and economics. Research conducted within these disciplines, because of its multi-paradigm nature, tends to be characterized by deficits, not only ethical but also ethical and methodological dilemmas and interpretation reasons. The leading thesis of this paper aims to argue that the looming deficits and ethical dilemmas of Polish researchers in the field of social sciences are two basic but very different premises. The first group of reasons primarily refers to broad ethical deficits, perceived unreliableness in terms of scientific research. It is related mainly to the structural aspects of the functioning of universities and other research units and logic parameterization. In the ethical programs (especially codes of ethics), ethical deficits are identified in three areas of “activity” of research related to the description, diagnosis and interpretation of the results relating to: bragging—e.g. the preparation, recording and publishing of the results that were not obtained; falsification—which means manipulating the research materials, equipment or method, replacing or bypassing the data in such a way that the results are not presented in a true way; plagiarism—the appropriation of other people ideas, methods, results, or terms without proper reference. Plagiarism is also the unauthorized use of information obtained through confidential review of proposals and manuscripts, or e.g. using conference presentations without permission. Its structural evidence is primarily the emphasis on “productivity” and parameterization as the basic criterion, not only of scientific but also academic success-oriented and personalized careers. The second group of reasons refers primarily to broad ethical dilemmas; to the ethical context of social research at every stage of the proceedings: conceptualization, selection of methods, techniques and research tools, conducting research (which concern, for example, the covert participant observation), analysis and interpretation of data, publishing developed and interpreted empirical material. Performing even a cursory analysis of how to present research findings in these two disciplines, you can come to the conclusion that the methodological competence of the investigator does not always go hand in hand with ethical competence. What is more, there is a tendency to downplay the principle that the social sciences should be guided by the principle of the so-called humanistic coefficient.

Why are some groups physically active and others not? A contrast group analysis in leisure settings

BackgroundThis field study aims to investigate the determinants of physical activity of particularly active and inactive groups in their leisure environments. In order to consider the context in which physical activity occurs and to investigate whether cultural settings may influence physical activity, we conducted the study at pools in different cultural environments - Hawai’i and Germany.MethodsThis study presents the quantitative data of a systematic (covert) participant observation. We recorded the physical activity of face-to-face interacting groups and analysed categories such as group size, estimated age of the group members, and verbal communication patterns. Total observation period was eight and a half months. In total, we observed 907 groups with the groups’ size varying between 2 and 8 members. For the general statistics, we accessed the significance of differences regarding the degree of physical activity dependent on the target variables. To better understand activity promoting and hindering mechanisms, special attention is given to the identification of contrasting factors that characterise groups which are very active or very inactive. For this, we conducted a classification tree analysis.ResultsGeneral statistical analysis shows that, overall, the most differentiating factor regarding physical activity was the body shape of the group members. While obese groups had the lowest average activity level, groups mainly consisting of people with an athletic body shape were the most physically active. Yet, classification tree analysis reveals that obesity itself does not necessarily determine physical inactivity levels. The identification of six contrasting clusters highlights that besides the body shape several factors interact regarding a group’s physical level. Such interacting factors were for example the degree of communication within the group, the gender- and age-related composition of the group, but also the equipment that had been brought to the beach/pool. Obese people were particularly inactive when they were members of frequently communicating, age-heterogeneous groups.ConclusionsOur study shows that several social factors determine the physical activity of very active and very inactive groups. In order to promote physical activity, future health initiatives should target these factors of a person’s network.

Ideology at work: reconsidering ideology, the labour process and workplace resistance

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to consider existing debates within the sociology of work, particularly the re-emergence of labour process theory (LPT) and the “collective worker”, in relation to resistance at work. Through presentation of primary data and a dialectical discussion about the nature of ideology, the paper offers alternative interpretations on long-standing debates and raises questions about the efficacy of workplace resistance.Design/methodology/approachThe design of this methodology is an ethnographic study of a call centre in the North-East of England, a covert participant observation at “Call Direct” supplemented by semi-structured interviews with call centre employees.FindingsThe findings in this paper suggest that resistance in the call centre mirrors forms of resistance outlined elsewhere in both the call centre literature and classical workplace studies from the industrial era. However, in presenting an alternative interpretation of ideology, as working at the level of action rather than thought, the paper reinterprets the data and characterises workplace resistance as lacking the political potential for change often emphasised in LPT and other workplace studies.Originality/valueThe original contribution of this paper is in applying an alternative interpretation of ideology to a long-standing debate. In asking sociology of work scholars to consider the “reversal of ideology”, it presents an alternative perspective on resistance in the workplace and raises questions about the efficacy of workplace disobedience.

Przyczyny deficytów i dylematów etycznych w badaniach naukowych

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Reconsidering the Value of Covert Research

In this article, we provide a nuanced perspective on the benefits and costs of covert research. In particular, we illustrate the value of such an approach by focusing on covert participant observation. We posit that all observational studies sit along a continuum of consent, with few research projects being either fully overt or fully covert due to practical constraints and the ambiguous nature of consent itself. With reference to illustrative examples, we demonstrate that the study of deviant behaviors, secretive organizations and socially important topics is often only possible through substantially covert participant observation. To support further consideration of this method, we discuss different ethical perspectives and explore techniques to address the practical challenges of covert participant observation, including; gaining access, collecting data surreptitiously, reducing harm to participants, leaving the site of study and addressing ethical issues.

Have adults lost their sense of play? An observational study of the social dynamics of physical (in)activity in German and Hawaiian leisure settings.

BackgroundPhysical inactivity is one of the biggest health problems nowadays. Recent research shows that socio-cultural barriers to physical activity are mostly related to modern lifestyles. However, there is a lack of research on how social and group dynamics influence engagement in physical activity. Furthermore, there are few cross-cultural studies that have compared the social dynamics of (in)activity in different cultural settings. This paper therefore aims to analyse how social group dynamics influence physical activity and inactivity in informal social environments and whether physical activity is influenced by the socio-cultural settings.MethodsThe paper presents the qualitative data collected within a covert participant observation study. Data was collected by keeping observational notes in order to record typical, regular patterns regarding physical (in)activity related behaviour of groups at an artificial open air swimming pool in Germany and a natural pond in Hawai’i. The data collection period was eight and a half months. Data was interpreted based on constant comparative analysis in order to identify most generative patterns in the field notes.ResultsGroup structures appear to play a significant role regarding the activity of the group members. In this study, we identified four key factors that influence group based physical activity: 1) Physical activity seems to be a group disturbing behaviour particularly in larger groups of adults; 2) Physical activity appears to be more functional and less joyful in adults than in children; 3) Group activity is influenced by (in)activity anchors, including ‘domestication’ of a group’s site, obesity, and controlling parents. 4) Physical activity is to a certain extent socially contagious, particularly with regard to playful activities.ConclusionsSuccessful promotion of physical activity should target the social structures of inactive individuals’ groups. In this regard, one of the main problems is that fun and wellbeing, as very important targets of public health strategies for the adult population, appear not to be compatible with physical activity. Developing strategies to reframe physical activity rather as ‘fun’ and less as functional may be one way to engage inactive individuals in physical activity in leisure settings.

"Cloak-and-dagger Organization Research: Benefits, Costs & Ethics of Covert Participant Observation"

Covert participant observation has often been discarded as a research method in the social sciences on the grounds that deceiving research subjects is unethical. This article reviews the benefits a...

Research Ethics: Re-Evaluating the Consequentialist Perspective of Using Covert Participant Observation in Management Research

PurposeThis paper presents empirical evidence that focuses on the use of covert participant observation as a method of data collection and considers the ethical nature of this method as a means to create knowledge that leads to direct management action. This ethical debate centres on issues such as informed consent, rights and consequences. This paper develops the consequentialist argument by reflecting on our experiences of using covert participant observation and the consequences of using such a method in empirical management research.MethodologyTwo empirical case studies, conducted independently of one another, highlight the choices we made and the justification for using covert participant observation as a means to investigate organisational issues.FindingsWhilst we conclude that this research method can be used effectively within an ethical framework, we suggest that researchers need to be more aware issues of the potential consequences on themselves in terms of the personal, emotional and trust issues that centre around deception when using covert participant observation. Research ImplicationsResearchers are now asked to consider the consequences on themselves of conducting covert participant observation, and in particular, to assess the potential problems arising in the form of emotional or personal implications when being deceptive. Originality of Paper The ethical debate concerning the rights and consequences of conducting covert participant observation is extended to include a consideration of the consequences for the researcher pertaining to the collection and use of data using this research method. We go beyond the traditional aspects of the debate by extending it to consider the consequences on the researcher of using what is essentially research method based on deception.

Response to Cohen: Separating Sport from Sexuality in Women’s Roller Derby

A few years ago, Cohen (2008) published the article titled, Sporting-self or Selling Sex: All-Girl Roller Derby in the 21st Century. She spent the winter and spring of 2006 practicing and participating as a member of the Boston Derby Dames (BDD). She performed covert participant observation, failing to inform the skaters in the league as to her intents and goals as an academic researcher. She also presented her experiences and personal feelings while making the transition from a freshmeat (new recruit) to an accepted member of the organization. She also analyzed particular aspects of the league, and in general, for the tension between athletics versus sexuality. She concluded that sex sells and the sporting self is sacrificed (33). In this critique, I challenge her choice of such a controversial research method. I also question the findings Cohen presents, pointing to temporal curiosities and methodological anomalies in the examples she provides. In the end, I agree with part of what is discussed throughout her original paper, that roller is a complex and oftentimes contradictory social world to study; however, I take issue with the findings that she does choose to emphasize. First, a disclaimer. Like Dr. Cohen, I am involved in the sport of women's flat-track roller derby. I started as a referee in late 2005/early 2006. Currently, I work as a referee, having taken the derby name of Professor Murder; since 2006, I have attended hundreds of practices, scrimmages and social events. I have also officiated over 100 public games, from pickup games attended by dozens of spectators to WFTDA Championship tournaments (from 2008 on). In that time, I have witnessed the sport grow from an amateur into a semi-professional organized sport, and witnessed significant cultural and social changes in nearly seven years' time. Situations similar to those Cohen describes in her article rang true for myself, from deep discussions about the design of uniforms to initiation rituals involving freshmeat skaters. I believe that the experiences I have had over the years allow me to contextualize and understand the arguments that Cohen makes in a way that helps shed light on some of the shortcomings of her article. Terminology Cohen's article discusses some of the unique lexicon used by people involved in the roller world, but it also neglects to clarify some terminology that might be confusing to outsiders. Leagues are geographically-based organizations that practice and promote roller derby; league members can include skaters, coaches, referees, and other volunteers (statisticians, medical staff, etc.). are specific groups of skaters (and coaches) who belong to a single league. In Cohen's article, the Boston Derby Dames are the league, while the teams are the Nutcrackers, Cosmonaughties, and Wicked Pissahs. Lastly, Cohen uses the term quad skates, which became a term used to differentiate their traditional style (two pairs of wheels underneath the ball and heel of the foot, respectively) from the inline, or rollerblade skate style. Lastly, the term freshmeat is commonly, but not universally, a term reserved for those who are in the early stages of joining a league. They may be new recruits, people who have not passed tryouts or physical requirements (as in Cohen's case), or those who are not members of any teams yet. Irrespective of local variation, what all freshmeat have in common is that they are outsiders seeking to become insiders within a specific roller league. Readers will also benefit from a brief explanation of additional terminology not included in Cohen's piece. Teams themselves can be differentiated into Intraleague and interleague teams. For the Boston Derby Dames, the Cosmonaughties, Wicked Pissahs and Nutcrackers are all intraleague teams: at public bouts when they compete, they largely play against each other, and rarely play teams from other leagues. …

The lack of discretion in high policing

Based on primary empirical data obtained on the UK's Integrated Special Branch (ISB), the article examines the amount of discretion lower ranking operational officers have in conducting high policing investigations. The investigations studied were counterterrorist investigations carried out over the research period of 2000–2007 using the research method of covert participant observation. During the research period, I was a detective sergeant in a UK police force's ISB department. This is the first type of study carried out on an agency involved in policing national security. The main submission is that compared to their lower ranking colleagues in low policing, such as the uniform department, operational officers in high policing have little or no opportunity to apply discretion when applying the law during their investigations.

Response to dysmenorrhoea: An assessment of pharmacists' knowledge and its application in practice

Abstract A combination of covert participant observation and semi-structured interviews was used in 65 pharmacies to assess pharmacists' skills and knowledge in their response to the symptom of dysmenorrhoea. The pharmacists were found to ask too few questions; 12 per cent asked no questions. Over half the pharmacists did not recommend the product of choice. Few pharmacists adopted a structured approach when responding to the symptom. The disappointing results could relate to a number of factors, one of which, inadequate training, was cited in the interviews.

Moniteur sportif et sociologue: Récit d’une observation participante clandestine

Sports Instructor and Sociologist: A Covert Participant Observation: This paper describes the change of status and viewpoint inherent in the shift from a sports instructor job to the implementation of a participant observation. The latter was undertaken to grasp the stakes and difficulties of a sports facility delegated management. Beside the results of this investigation, we also intend to relate a peculiar process, including the combination of multiple and varying roles, as well as a dynamic relation to the fieldwork and its participants. As the observation remained concealed, this role duplicity had many consequences: beyond personal and psychological ones, the effects are also professional, relational, methodological, heuristic and ethical.

Secondary Adjustment in Prisons: Prisoners’ Strategies of Influence

This participant observation research explores and examines the strategies that prisoners use to influence prison officers in an Asian prison setting. Grounded theory methodology is employed in the analysis process. From the study, eight strategies of influence are conceptualised: repetition, distraction, finding excuses, feigning ignorance, false compliance, hearsay, direct hit and spontaneous protest. They are further subsumed under three main categories of Enhancers, Trouble Shooters and Resistors. On the other hand, there are three categories of prison officers with respect to their responses to the eight strategies of influence – Idealists, Pragmatists and Authoritarians. In summary, this study serves three objectives. First, it provides a fresh perspective on how prisoners attempt to influence prison officers in their daily interactions. Second, it has demonstrated that data collection through covert participant observation can be done effectively without causing any harm to the stakeholders in a prison setting. Lastly, this study has implications for the development of theory, practice and future research in the area of penology.

The researcher as hooligan: where ‘participant’ observation means breaking the law

This article focuses on the problems faced by researchers carrying out participant observation in fields where the committal of criminal offences is the norm. Can participation in criminal activity by a researcher be justified on the grounds that it is necessary to prevent the distortion of the field? Alternatively, can the difficulties in gaining and maintaining access in such spheres excuse such conduct? The article considers the current guidance given to researchers in the social sciences and the peculiar pressures placed on them when carrying out fieldwork in ‘criminal’ areas. Examples from the author’s own experiences carrying out covert participant observation within crowds of ‘risk’ football supporters are used to illustrate that in such fields the committal of offences can be unavoidable and that further guidance – but not regulation – is required to protect academics carrying out this type of research.