Observational methods & designs

Question 1

Types of observational methods

Answer 1

Naturalistic, controlled, covert, overt, participant and non-participant

Question 2

Naturalistic observations

Answer 2

Involves observing participants in their natural habitats e.g. classrooms, outdoors etc.

Question 3

Naturalistic observations evaluation

Answer 3

Strengths
- Realistic behaviour
- Increased external validity
Weaknesses
- Little control over extraneous
variables
- Lower internal validity
- Replication difficult

Question 4

Controlled observations

Answer 4

When the researchers observe behaviour in a structured environment e.g. a lab.

Question 5

Controlled observation evaluation

Answer 5

Strengths
- High replicability
Weaknesses
- Demand characteristics
- Decreasing external validity

Question 6

Covert observation

Answer 6

It occurs when participants are unaware that they are being observed e.g. one way mirror

Question 7

Covert observation evaluation

Answer 7

Strengths
- More natural behaviour
- reduces demand
characteristics
Weaknesses
- Ethical issues like informed
consent etc.

Question 8

Overt observation

Answer 8

Where the participants are aware they are being observed

Question 9

Overt observation evaluation

Answer 9

Strengths
- Reduces ethical issues
Weaknesses
- Increases demand
characteristics
- Participants more likely to
change behaviour

Question 10

Participant observation

Answer 10

The researcher becomes part of the group being studied

Question 11

Participant observation evaluation

Answer 11

Strengths
- Natural behaviour
- reduces demand
characteristics
- Insider insight increases validity
Weaknesses
- Objectivity reduced
- Chances of observer bias
- Difficult to record in
unobtrusive way

Question 12

Non-participant

Answer 12

Involves the researcher observing the participants from a distance without becoming involved in the activities

Question 13

Non-participant observation evaluation

Answer 13

Strengths
- More objective
Weaknesses
- Observer may misinterpret
communications/behaviour

Question 14

What are the types of observational designs?

Answer 14

Structured, unstructured, event sampling and time sampling.

Question 15

Structured observation

Answer 15

Where the researcher uses a predefined framework or checklist (behavioural categories) to record behaviours.

Question 16

Structured observation evaluation

Answer 16

Strengths
- Easier to collect systematic
data
- Easier to analyse data
- Inter observer reliability is
easier to establish
Weaknesses
- Quantitative data lacks detail
- Some behaviours won’t be
important.

Question 17

Unstructured observation

Answer 17

The researcher records all relevant behaviours as they occur. So doesn’t involve a predefined framework.

Question 18

Unstructured observation evaluation

Answer 18

strengths
- Provides more in depth detail
Weaknesses
- Takes longer to analyse
qualitative data
- Risk of observer bias

Question 19

Event sampling

Answer 19

Researchers record every instance of a particular behaviour whenever it occurs during the observation period.

Question 20

Event sampling evaluation

Answer 20

Weaknesses
- If too complex, may overlook important details

Question 21

Time sampling

Answer 21

Observing and recording behaviours at specific, regular intervals.

Question 22

Time sampling evaluation

Answer 22

Weaknesses
- Behaviours recorded may not
be representative of all
behaviours.