Observational techniques

Question 1

What are observational studies?

Answer 1

Observational studies simply involved watching, recording and interpreting peoples behaviour. They are used to study natural behaviour in a natural setting - a more realistic view/picture

Question 2

What are the 6 types of observations?

Answer 2

1. Naturalistic
2. Controlled
3. Participant
4. Non participant
5. Covert
6. Overt

Question 3

What is a naturalistic environment?

Answer 3

Observing people in their natural environment, behaviour is nit controlled people behave freely and are less likely to know that they are being observed. Th researcher does not interfere they simply observe

Question 4

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 4

Some variables in the environment are regulated by the researcher, reducing the ‘naturalness’ of the environment and consequently the naturalness of the behaviour being studied

Question 5

What is a participant observation?

Answer 5

Observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed. This means that their objectivity may be affected

Question 6

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 6

Researchers do not become actively involved in the behaviour being studied. The observer is separate from the pope being observed and simply watches/listens

Question 7

What are overt observations?

Answer 7

Participants are aware that they are being observed

Question 8

What are Covert observations?

Answer 8

Participants are not aware that they are being observed

Question 9

Advantages and disadvantages of naturalistic observations

Answer 9

+ high ecological validity as the researcher records naturally occurring behaviour in a natural environment, findings can be generalised
- Cant be replicated to check reliability as the researcher is not in control of extraneous variables

Question 10

Advantages and disadvantages of controlled observations?

Answer 10

+ can be replicated to check reliability as the researcher is in control of variables and therefore can repeat the method as they wish
- Low ecological validity as the researcher records behaviours in artificial (manipulated) environments, with potential outside interference from the researcher
- Increases the chances of demand characteristics

Question 11

Advantages and disadvantages of participant observations?

Answer 11

+ The researcher gets a greater insight into the experiences of those being observed
+ Close proximity to the participants and so are unlikely to overlook or miss any behaviours
- They may lose objectivity as they become part of the study, friendly with other participants

Question 12

Advantages and disadvantages of non-participant observations?

Answer 12

+The researcher is more likely to remain objective (reduce investigator effects)
- May lack the extra insight gained from being a participant themselves
- Due to a lack of proximity the researcher might overlook or miss behaviours of interest.

Question 13

Advantages and disadvantages of covert observations?

Answer 13

+ investigator bias are unlikely meaning participants’ behaviour will be genuine
- Not ethical as participants are not aware they are taking part and can’t fully give informed consent

Question 14

Advantages and disadvantages of overt observations?

Answer 14

+ It is possible to inform participants in advance and obtain informed consent
- Participants change their behaviour through demand characteristics/social desirability) because they know they are getting observed