observational techniques Flashcards
naturalistic observation
take place in place where target bv would occur.
controlled observation
control certain aspects such as setting.
covert observation
ppts unaware they are being observed, must be public and happening anyway so it is ethical.
overt observations
ppts know behaviour is being observed, given informed consent beforehand.
participant observation
observer becomes part of the group they are studying.
non-participant observation
researcher remains seperate from those they are studying, records bv objectively.
may be impractical otherwise.
strength all observations
captures unexpected bv, special insight into behaviour.
limiatation observations
observer bias, interpretation may affect expectations, use more than one.
cannot demonstrate causal relationships, may aid detecting them.
evaluation naturalistic
high external validity, generalised to everday life, within environment.
lack of control, replication difficult, many uncontrolled variables, more difficult to judge.
evaluation controlled
low external validity.
less confounding/ extraneous variables. replication of observation easier.
evaluation covert
removes demand characteristics, ensures any behaviour is natural, internal validity.
ethics questioned, privacy even if public.
evaluation overt
more ethically acceptable, knowledge ppts have may act as significant influence on their behaviour.
evaluation participant
researcher experiences situation as ppts do, increased insight, increase external validity
may identify too strongly with those studying and lose objectivity, adopting local lifestyle, line between ppt and researcher blurred.
spe
evaluation non participant
objective psychological distance, less danger of local lifestyle,
lose valuable insight.
