observation Flashcards
what is meant by an observation
where a researcher simply watches without interfering and there is no manipulation of the IV
what are the different types of observation
naturalistic and controlled
covert and overt
participant and non participant
what is a naturalistic observation
watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur
controlled observation
watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment ie one where variables are managed
advantage and disadvantage of naturalistic observation
+ high external validity - can often be generalised to everyday life, as behaviour is studied within the environment
- difficult to replicate observation
- many uncontrollable extraneous variables
advantage and disadvantage of controlled observation
+ more control of extraneous variables so replication of observation becomes easier
- may produce findings that cannot be applied to real life settings
covert observation
participants behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent
overt observation
participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent
advantage and disadvantage of covert observation
+ as the participants do not know they are being observed it increases validity of the data gathered
- ethical issues, people may not wish to have their behaviours noted down
advantage and disadvantage of overt observations
+ more ethically acceptable than covert observations, as they know they are being observed
- if participants know they are being observed, this may have significant influence their behaviour
participant observation
the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour s/he is watching and recording
non-participant observation
the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour s/he is watching and recording
advantage and disadvantage of participant observation
+ the researcher can experience the situation as the participants do, giving them increased insight into the lives of the people being studied, this may increase the validity of the findings
- the researcher may lose objectivity if they come to identify too strongly with those they are studying
advantage and disadvantage of non-participant observation
+ allows the researcher to maintain objective
- may loose valuable insight that could be gained in participant observation as they are too far removed from the people they are studying
how could you improve the validity of observations?
use a covert design of p’s less aware of the study
use behavioural categories to reduce opportunities for observer bias
double blind design
