observation techniques Flashcards
what is naturalistic observation
takes place where target behaviour normally occurs
strengths of naturalistic observation
gives realistic picture of natural, spontaneous behaviour
high ecological validity
limitations of naturalistic observation
little control of outside variables
what is a controlled observation
watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment
strengths of controlled observation
can focus on particular aspects of behaviour
limitations of controlled observation
unnatural environment may influence pps behaviour
what are overt observations
pps know they are being studied
strengths of overt observations
its ethically acceptable
limitations of overt observations
because pps know they are being studied may influence behaviour
what is covert observation
where participants are unaware they are focus of a study and their behaviour is recorded secretly
strengths of covert observation
ensures behaviour will be natural increasing validity
limitations of covert observation
ethics may be questioned
what are participant observation
sometimes the researcher becomes part of the study by joining the group
strengths of participant observation
researcher can experience the situation as the pps do
limitations of participant observations
researcher may come o identify to strongly with those being studied
what are non participant observation
researcher remains separate from study may be because its impractical to join study
strengths of non participant observation
allows researcher to maintain objective distance from pps
limitations of non participant observation
may not get as much valuable insight as participant observation
strengths of unstructured observations
all relevant behaviour is recorded as researchers writes everything down
limitations of unstructured observation
behaviours recorded will often be those visible to researcher but may not be relevant
strengths of structured observation
researcher uses various systems to organise observations allowing researcher to quantify observations using a pre determined list of behaviours
what are behavioural categories
to produce a structured record of what observer sees/hears they make a checklist of behaviours to look out for
what Is event sampling
involves counting no. times a particular behaviour occurs
what is time sampling
involves recording behaviour within pre established time period
