Observational Techniques

Question 1

what is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

behaviour is observed in a natural situation such as the context in which it naturally occurs, and there is no p=manipulation of variables so no attempt to influence behaviour

Question 2

3 strengths of a naturalistic observation

Answer 2

1. can be used in situations where intervention would be inappropriate or unethical
2. can be used with animals, esp. those that would not adapt well to a lab
3. high external validity as studied in a natural context

Question 3

2 weaknesses of a naturalistic observation

Answer 3

1. replication is difficult because of lack of control over research situation
2. there may be uncontrolled EVs or CVs that make it difficult to judge any pattern of behaviouir

Question 4

what is a controlled observation?

Answer 4

reseracher has some control over parts of the situation, such as manipulation of variables to see cause and effect and control o EVs

Question 5

strength of controlled observations

Answer 5

CVs or EVs may be ess of an issue so replication easier and may be easier to determine patterns of behaviour

Question 6

weakness of controlled observations

Answer 6

findings may be less easily applied to everyday life, depending on what variables are being anipulated

Question 7

what is a covert observation

Answer 7

participants are unaware they are being observed and behaviour is public and occuring anyway

Question 8

strength of cvert observations

Answer 8

removes Dcs and ensures behaviour is natural so increases internal validity

Question 9

weakness of covert observations

Answer 9

ethics questioned as participats cannot give informed consent and may not want their behaviours noted (right to privacy)

Question 10

what is an overt observation?

Answer 10

Ps aware of observation and have consented

Question 11

strength of overt observations

Answer 11

ethically acceptable as informed consent given

Question 12

weakness of overt observations

Answer 12

knowledge of observaion may result in DCs or social desiability biaws so low internal validity

Question 13

what is a participant observation?

Answer 13

observer becones part of the group being studied

Question 14

strength of participant observation

Answer 14

first-hand insight into Ps behaviour so may increase external validity

Question 15

weakness of participnt observation

Answer 15

may identify with Ps too strongly and lose objectivity (researcher bias)

Question 16

what is a non-participant observation?

Answer 16

researcher remains separate and records data objectively

Question 17

when might a non-participant observation be necessary?

Answer 17

may be impractical or impossible to participate such as if wrong gender

Question 18

2 strengths of non-participant observations

Answer 18

1. reserach can maintain objective psychological distance
2. less danger of local lifestye

Question 19

weakness of non-participant observations

Answer 19

may lose valuable insight as too far removed from Ps

Question 20

2 strengths of observations

Answer 20

1. gather data about what people actually do, which may be unexpected
2. if natural, can check whethr experimental findings apply outside a lab

Question 21

observer bias

Answer 21

observer’s interpretations of a situation may be affected by their expectations

Question 22

how can observer bias be reduced

Answer 22

using multiple observer for inter rater reliability

Question 23

what is an ethical weakness of observtions>

Answer 23

confifdentiality and privacy must be amintained

Question 24

what type of relationship cannot be determined using observational techniques?

Answer 24

causal

Question 25

what can observational techniques be used for alongside experiments

Answer 25

can be used to aid in detecting causal relationships

Question 26

what is difficult to do when the oserved behaviour is complicated?

Answer 26

data categorisation