Observation

Question 1

What is observation? What are the different types of observation?

Answer 1

1. Research method involving watching & recording behaviour
2. Naturalistic
3. Controlled
4. Overt
5. Covert
6. Ppt
7. Non-ppt

Question 2

What is naturalistic observation?

Answer 2

1. Conducted in everyday environment
2. Suitable for studying everyday behaviour
3. Can be overt or covert

Question 3

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 3

1. Conducted in lab/controlled environment to encourage behaviour being investigated
2. Suitable when its not practical to wait for the behaviour to occur naturally
3. Tend to also be overt

Question 4

What is a overt observation?

Answer 4

Ppts aware they are being observed

Question 5

What is a covert observation?

Answer 5

Ppts unaware they’re being observed

Question 6

What is a ppt observation?

Answer 6

Observer becomes involved in group being studied

• may lose objectivity

Question 7

What is a non-ppt observation?

Answer 7

Observer watches and records behaviour without getting involved

Question 8

Strengths and weaknesses of observation?

Answer 8

1. Strengths
   - Reliability can be checked w inter-reliability - several observers record and compare to check for agreement
2. Weaknesses
   - Can lack validity - observer bias
   - Unreliable - each coded behaviour must be operationalised + observers must be well-trained to correctly record them
   - Unethical - Lacks informed consent