UNIT 2- STUDYING THE WORLD OF WORK
Different research designs:
Any social science method should be valid and reliable.
Valid= Accurate information about the topic that is being studied.
Reliable= A method is reliable if it produces the same result if it is
repeated or if different people use it.
1. Ethnographies:
A careful analysis of a work situation written by a
knowledgeable observer.
Overt= Employees know that the observer is here to watch
them.
Covert= Observer is disguised as a worker.
Participant observation= Observer becomes a worker for a
period. This allows the observer to have an intimate
experience of the everyday life of the workplace.
Disadvantages= They can only study a limited range of jobs;
they may choose an atypical workplace and other observers
may have a different opinion.
Non-participant observation= Observer does not become
part of the workforce. Observer may struggle to earn the trust
of employees. Workers may not show their true behavior.
They can also change their behavior to please observer- like
experimental bias (Hawthorne Effect).
2. Case study:
Attempts to bring several perspectives to understand a
workplace issue such as views of supervisors, employees,
suppliers etc.
Different research designs:
Any social science method should be valid and reliable.
Valid= Accurate information about the topic that is being studied.
Reliable= A method is reliable if it produces the same result if it is
repeated or if different people use it.
1. Ethnographies:
A careful analysis of a work situation written by a
knowledgeable observer.
Overt= Employees know that the observer is here to watch
them.
Covert= Observer is disguised as a worker.
Participant observation= Observer becomes a worker for a
period. This allows the observer to have an intimate
experience of the everyday life of the workplace.
Disadvantages= They can only study a limited range of jobs;
they may choose an atypical workplace and other observers
may have a different opinion.
Non-participant observation= Observer does not become
part of the workforce. Observer may struggle to earn the trust
of employees. Workers may not show their true behavior.
They can also change their behavior to please observer- like
experimental bias (Hawthorne Effect).
2. Case study:
Attempts to bring several perspectives to understand a
workplace issue such as views of supervisors, employees,
suppliers etc.
