Observation: Reliability and validity Flashcards
What is participant observation?
1
- Observer is ppt in behaviour being observed
What are the pros of participant observation?
2
- Ppt see ^detail than someone new to situation
- Observer may see/hear more, closer to action
What are the pros of non-participant observation?
2
- ^Objectivity, distance
- Observe unobtrusively, ppt behave naturally (validity)
What are the cons of non-participant observation?
2
- Misinterpret communications (>validity)
- Observer may see less
What is a structured observation?
1
- Some variables manipulated by researcher (lab)
What are the pros of a structured observation?
2
- Controlled environment = focus on specific aspects of behaviour, specific conclusions made
- Tentative casual conclusions, if variables deliberately changed, one caused the other
What are the cons of a structured observation?
2
- Environment may feel unnatural (low eco validity)
- Demand characteristics (guess aims)
What is the main pro of a naturalistic observation?
1
- Realistic picture of natural behaviour (^eco validity)
What are the cons of a naturalistic observation?
2
- Likely to be covert, ethical issues
- Difficult to draw conclusions if focus is ^wide
What are the pros of overt observation (ppt aware)?
2
- Avoids lack of informed consent
- Observer doesn’t have to hide, easier to take notes
What is the main con of overt observation?
1
- Demand characteristics (alter their behaviour)
What is the main pro of covert observation (made w/out ppt knowledge)?
1
- Ppt behave more naturally not aware being observed
What are the cons of covert observation?
2
- Ethical issues about observing people w/out their knowledge
- Invasion of privacy
What are the cons of participant observation?
2
- > Objectivity (observer bias) subjective
- Hard to monitor unobtrusively, ppt aware being studied
