observational techniques Flashcards
naturalistic observations
take place in the setting/context where the target behaviour would usually occur
controlled observations
take place within a structured environment where there is some control over variables, including manipulating variables
covert observations
where the participant is unaware that they are the focus of study and their behaviour is observed in secret, without their consent
overt observations
where the participants are aware that they are the focus of study and their behaviour is observed with their consent
participant observations
where the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching
non-participant observations
where the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching
naturalistic- strengths
behaviour studied in environment where normally occurs so genuine, generalisable to everyday life, high external validity
naturalistic- weaknesses
- lack of control over situation means replication difficult
- uncontrolled extraneous variables, difficult to judge patterns
controlled- strengths
extraneous variables less of a factor, replication easier
controlled- weaknesses
findings may not be as applicable to real-life settings, behaviour may be in-genuine, demand characteristics
covert- strengths
removes issue of participant reactivity so more genuine behaviour, increases validity of findings
covert- weaknesses
ethical issues- participants haven’t given fully informed consent for behaviours to be studied
overt- strengths
more ethically acceptable as participants given fully-informed consent
overt- weaknesses
issues with social desirability bias/ demand characteristics, fact that they know they are being observed may have significant influence on behaviour as confounding variable
participant- strengths
increased insight into lives of people being studied, may increase validity
