Observation Flashcards
Controlled observation
Conditions manipulated by observer
Lab exp controls extraneous variables
Eg- strange situation
+ high control of extraneous variables
- low external validity
Naturalistic observation
No manipulation of variables
+ high external validity
- low control of extraneous variables
Covert observation
Ptps don’t know they are being observed
Eg- hidden camera
+ no demand characteristics
- ethical issues
Overt observation
Ptps know they are being observed
Informed consent
+ ethical
- demand characteristics
Participant observation
Researched involved in a group they are studying
+build insight/ rapport
- researcher bias
Non participant observation
Researcher is separate from group
+ objectivity
- may lose details/ insight
Structured observation
Recording target behaviours
Behaviour must be operationalised
+ quantify behaviour
- miss behaviours
Unstructured observation
Researcher writes everything they see- detailed
+detail
-small scale, hard to recall all data
Observer bias
Occurs when observer knows the aims of study and this influences them
