Observational techniques Flashcards
What are covert observations?
-observed without their own knowledge
-Researcher may be physically present but participants do not know or realise they are being observed
-observing natural, unmanipulated behaviour
What are strengths of covert observation?
-High levels of validity as participants are unaware they are being observed so rules out demand characteristics (the observer effect)
What are limitations of covert observations?
-Unethical as does not have participants conformed consent
What are Overt observations?
-Participants are aware they are being observed
-Participants may be able to see researcher observing them
-Aware behavior is being observed and is being recorded for an observational study
What are strengths of overt observation?
-Ethical, participants have given informed consent to be observed.
What are the limitations of overt observations?
-Social desirability is likely, where participants present their best selves to the researcher
-Demand characteristics known as the observer effect, are more likely which impacts validity.
What is participant observation?
-The researcher joins the group being observed and becomes involved with them
-The group being observed may not realise that the observer is not really ‘one of them’
What are strengths of participant observation?
-Researcher is able to build a report with the participants meaning the participants are more likely to have open conversations and act in a natural way.
What are limitations of participant observations?
-researcher can become to involved with the participants and the interpretation of their behaviour becomes biased as they only see it from the participants point of view.
-ethical considerations such as deception and right to withdraw because participants may not know they are being observed despite the researchers participants.
What is non- participant observation?
-researcher remains separate from the participants
-researcher observes and records the participants without taking part in activities or conversations.
What are the strengths of non-participant observations?
-Researcher is more likely to remain objective whilst observing and recording the participants behaviour
What are the limitations of non participant observations?
-Researcher is not able to build report with the participants and so they are less likely to open up completely or enough to show the full natural behaviours.
