obervational techniques Flashcards
What is a naturalistic observation?
Researcher watches and records behaviours of individuals in the setting where an event would naturally occur.
What are controlled observations?
Researcher watches and records the behaviour of individuals within a structured environment - variables are managed (Ainsworth).
What is a strength of naturalistic observations?
High external validity as findings can be generalised to real life.
What is a limitation of naturalistics observations?
Cannot be replicated due to lack of control over the environment.
No control over extraneous and confounding variables.
What is a strength of controlled observations?
More control over extraneous and confounding variables as there is more control - replicable.
What is a limitation of controlled observations?
Findings may be artificial and cannot be generalised to everyday life.
What are covert observations?
Participants are not aware of the researcher watching and recording their behaviour and have not consented for doing so.
What are overt observations?
Participants are aware the researcher is watching and recording their behaviour and have consented for doing so.
What is a strength of covert observations?
Less demand characteristics as they don’t know they’re being watched - internal validity.
What is a limitation of covert observations?
Unethical as they are not aware they are being watched - right to privacy.
What is a strength of overt observations?
More ethically acceptable in comparison to cover observations.
What is a limitation of overt observations?
Demand characteristics may occur as they know they are being watched.
What is a participant observation?
Researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they’re studying.
What is a non-participant observation?
Researcher remains on the outside of the group whose behavioue they’re studying.
What is a strength of participant obervations?
Increased external validity as they are not aware of being watched.
What is a limitation of participant observations?
May become objective and go native because they identify too strongly with them.
What is a strength of non-participant observations?
Less likely to go native and more subjective.
What is a limitatio nof non-participant observations?
Lose valuable insight in comparison to participant observations.
