Observation studies

Question 1

Participant observation

Answer 1

• Observer is a participant in the behaviour being observed

Question 2

Strength of Participant observation

Answer 2

• Likely to provide special insights into behaviour
• Participant can see more as they are closer to the action and may see or hear more of what is going on than a observer at a distance

Question 3

Weakness of Participants observation

Answer 3

• There is observer bias because the observer is familiar with what is going on they are looking at the situation more subjectively

Question 4

Non Participant observation

Answer 4

• Observer is not a participant in the behaviour being observer

Question 5

Strength of Non Participant observation

Answer 5

• Can observe without interfering, therefore participants will not be self conscious about being observed
• This may increase validity as participants behave more naturally

Question 6

Weakness of Non Participant observation

Answer 6

• The observer may misinterpret the communication within the group because they are an outsider and this could reduce the validity of the observation

Question 7

Structured observation

Answer 7

• Some variables are changed by the researcher

Question 8

Strength of Structured observation

Answer 8

• Controlled environment allows focus on particular aspects of behaviour
• This means that specific conclusions can be drawn from different responses

Question 9

Weakness of Structured observation

Answer 9

• Environment may feel unnatural and the participants may not behave as they would in everyday life, the observation may lack ecological validity

Question 10

Naturalistic observation

Answer 10

• Everything is left as usual
• Environment is unstructured but may use structured technique

Question 11

Strength of Naturalistic observation

Answer 11

• A realistic picture of natural, spontaneous behaviour
• The observation takes place in person in a person’s natural environment and so they are likely to behave as they normally do

Question 12

Weakness of Naturalistic observation

Answer 12

• The observation is more likely to be covert, which raises ethical issues

Question 13

Overt observation

Answer 13

• Avoids lack of informed consent because participants can decide whether to participate

Question 14

Strength of Overt observation

Answer 14

• If participants know they are being observed they are likely to alter their behaviour

Question 15

Weakness of Overt observation

Answer 15

• If participants know they are being observed they are likely to alter their behaviour

Question 16

Covert observation

Answer 16

• Observation made without the participant’s knowledge

Question 17

Strength of Covert observation

Answer 17

• Participants behave more naturally because they are not aware of being observed

Question 18

Weakness of Covert observation

Answer 18

• Raises ethical issues about observing people without their knowledge
• Participants may be able to give informed consent if asked afterwards but in practice this is difficult