Question

Levis Strauss sent one of its employees, who is fluent in Japanese, to stay at the home of a traditional Japanese family with teenage daughters. The employee disguised himself as an exchange student but was actually in Japan spying on the family and their friends to better understand how Levi jeans are used and worn by teenagers in Japan. This illustrates that

a. All good observations should be disguised.
b. Observation raises ethical questions.
c. Observation is not a good research technique.
d. Structured observation is legal.
e. None of these are correct.

Answer 1

The Levi Strauss employee's covert observation in Japan demonstrates that observation raises ethical questions due to the balance between gaining authentic insights and respecting individuals' privacy.

Step-by-step explanation:

The situation involving a Levi Strauss employee spying on a traditional Japanese family illustrates that observation raises ethical questions. Covert participant observation, where the researcher does not disclose their true identity or purpose, can allow for authentic, natural behaviors to be recorded.

However, it also involves ethical dilemmas, such as deception and privacy concerns. The Levi Strauss employee's undisclosed observation in Japan serves as an example of such an ethical challenge, highlighting that researchers often need to strike a balance between obtaining genuine insights and respecting the rights and privacy of individuals being studied.