Observational Techniques

Question 1

What are naturalistic observations

Answer 1

Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur

Question 2

Advantages of naturalistic observations

Answer 2

-tend to have high external validity as findings can often be generalised to everyday life- as behaviour studied where it would normally occur

Question 3

Disadvantages of naturalistic observations

Answer 3

Researcher lacks control over EVs=makes replication of the investigation difficult and harder to establish cause and effect relationship

Question 4

What is a controlled observation

Answer 4

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment, there is some control over variables

Question 5

Advantages of controlled observation

Answer 5

Control over EVs= easier to establish cause and effect relationship and to replicate observation

Question 6

Disadvantage of controlled observation

Answer 6

Low ecological validity as behaviour observed in artificial setting= cannot be applied to real life

Question 7

What are covert observations

Answer 7

Participants behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent

Question 8

Advantages of covert observations

Answer 8

All behaviour observed will be natural- no demand characteristics = increases validity of data gathered

Question 9

Disadvantages of covert observations

Answer 9

Unethical as pps not given informed consent for their behaviour to be observed and recoded

Question 10

What are overt observations

Answer 10

Participants behaviour is watched and recorded with their knowledge or consent

Question 11

Advantages of overt observations

Answer 11

More ethically acceptable as consent given by pps

Question 12

Disadvantages of overt observations

Answer 12

Demand characteristics as know they are being studied

Question 13

What are participant observations

Answer 13

When the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording

Question 14

Advantages of participant observations

Answer 14

Researcher experiences situation as pps do=increases insight into lives of those they are studying so increases validity of findings, allows access to hard to reach groups

Question 15

Disadvantages of participant observations

Answer 15

Researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they are studying and lose objectivity

Question 16

What are non-participant observations

Answer 16

When the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording

Question 17

Advantages of non-participant observations

Answer 17

Allow the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from their pps

Question 18

Disadvantages of non-participant observations

Answer 18

Researcher may lose valuable insight that would be gained in a participant observation as too far removed from the people they are studying