Observation Mini-Study Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Observation Mini-Study - Research Paper Example Using direct observation as the main approach to data collection, the researcher sought to establish whether the hypothesis of racial disparity in the sitting arrangement existed, and possibly find ways of resolving the issue by creating race parity. The researcher sought permission from the university and the management of a middle-level restaurant existing near the university well in advance prior to the study. The restaurant is situated a few miles from the university, a development that limited research-related costs upon the researcher. Sitting comfortably at the back of the restaurant between 11:00pm and 4:00pm, the researcher gathered information about the sitting arrangements, the people’s behavior and what they were saying. The outcomes revealed that in deed more whites preferred executive seats and tables stationed at the front part of the restaurant with more adequate spaces between them and tended to refer to the other races in derogatory remarks like â€Å"front seats are for whites†. In light of this, people of color including Hispanics, blacks, Africans, and Asians found themselves relegated at the back of the restaurant where the furniture were more closely-packed. This finding lends credence to the hypothesis that racial disparity plays out in the sitting arrangement of people in US restaurants. Observation as a method of research has merits and demerits. A major merit of conducting observation research is that the researcher can record what they see and hear as the focus group goes about their normal activities in real life situations, rather than relying on what they say they do (Maxfield, & Babbie, 2010). As Maxfield and Babbie (2010) have pointed out, in Criminology, observation is the main source of securing information, especially in situations where approaching criminal suspects for interview or written responses is less likely to precipitate