observation techniques Flashcards
what is an observation
one important non- experimental method is observation
observations provide psychologists with a way of seeing what people do without having to ask them
it also allows researchers to study observable behavior within a natural or controlled setting
why are observations a useful method for researchers
observations allow a researcher the flexibility to study more complex interactions between variables in a more natural way
observations is often used within an experiment as a way of e.g. assessing the dependent variable
what are the different observation techniques
naturalistic
controlled
covert
overt
participant
non- participant
what are naturalistic observations
naturalistic observations take place in a setting context where the target behaviour would usually occur
all aspects of environment are free to vary
e.g. it would make more sense to study how senior management and employees in a particular factory interact by dragging the whole of the workforce into an artificial lab setting. This is because it is easier to study “interactions” in the factory environment where it would normally take place
what are controlled observations
it is useful to control certain aspects. Therefore a controlled observation may be preferred
e.g. in a strange situation, Ainsworth recorded the way in which children reacted to their mothers and how they dealt with the introduction of a stranger within a specially designed playroom environment. They recorded the data through a two - way mirror so not to disturb the action
a control observation has control over variables, including manipulating variables to observe effects and also control extraneous variables
what is a covert observation
behaviour might be recorded without obtaining the consent of the participants
This is a covert observation as participants are unaware they are the focus of the study.
Essentially, their behaviour is observed on secret e.g. across the room
such behavior must be public and happening anyway if the observation is to be ethical
what is a overt observation
in an overt observation, participants know their behavior is being observed and have given informed consent beforehand
what is a participant observation
sometimes it may be necessary for the observer to become part of the group they are studying
this is a participant observation as the observer can have a first hand account
what is a non participant observation
in a non - participant observation, researchers remain separate from those they are studying and records behavior in a more objetive manner
a non participant observation may be necessary as it may be impractical or even impossible to join particular groups
e.g. a middle age female researcher observing behaviour among yr 10 students at a boys’ school
what is a strength of a naturalistic observation
naturalistic observations have a high external validity as findings can be generalised to everyday life, as the behavior is studied within the environment where it would normally occur
what is a limitation of a naturalistic observation
the lack of control over the research situation makes replication of the investigation difficult
- there is also uncontrolled extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge any pattern of behaviour
what is a limitation of a control observation
controlled observations may produce findings that cannot be as readily applied to real life settings
what is a strength of a control observation
extraneous variables may be less of a fact so replication of the observation becomes easier
what is a strength of a covert observation
- participants do not know they are being watched removes the problem of participants reactivity. This means that any behaviour observed will be natural, increase the validity of the data gathered
what is a limitation of a covert observation
the ethics of these studies may be questioned as people, even in public, may not wish to have their behaviours noted down
