observational techniques

Question 1

what is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

watching and recording behaviour in the setting which it would normally take place

Question 2

AO3: what are some advantages to naturalistic observations?

Answer 2

they have higher external validity
findings can be applied to real life (high mundane realism)
participants less likely to change their behaviour (no demand characteristics)

Question 3

AO3: what are some limitations to naturalistic observations?

Answer 3

the lack of control makes replication very difficult
hard to control extraneous variables

Question 4

what is a controlled observation?

Answer 4

watching and recording behaviour in a structured environment e.g. strange situation

Question 5

AO3: what is an advantage to controlled observations?

Answer 5

less extraneous variables
easier replication

Question 6

AO3: what are some limitations to controlled observations?

Answer 6

findings cant be applied as well to real life situations
demand characteristics

Question 7

what is a covert observation?

Answer 7

the participants behaviour is watched and recorded without their knowledge or consent

Question 8

AO3: what are advantages to covert observations?

Answer 8

as participants don’t know their being watched, they are more likely to be acting naturally which increases the validity of the study

Question 9

AO3: what are some disadvantages to covert observations?

Answer 9

there are ethical issues as it invades peoples privacy as they are unable to give informed consent.

Question 10

what is an overt observation?

Answer 10

the participants behaviour is being watched and recorded with their knowledge and consent

Question 11

AO3: what is an advantage to an overt observation?

Answer 11

it is more ethically acceptable as you get informed consent from all the participants taking part

Question 12

AO3: what is a disadvantage to overt observations?

Answer 12

as participants know they are being observed, they are more likely to change their behaviour, this is demand characteristics

Question 13

what is a participant observation?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

AO3: what is an advantage to participant observations?

Answer 14

the researcher can experience the situation as the participants do so it gives them greater insight and can increase the validity

Question 15

AO3: what is a disadvantage to participant observations?

Answer 15

they may lose their ability to be objective and this can therefore reduce the validity as they don’t have a clear memory and view of the situation (lacks objectivity)

Question 16

what is a non-participant observation?

Answer 16

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

Question 17

AO3: what is an advantage to non-participant observations?

Answer 17

the researcher can keep a distance between them and the participant so they are able to be more objective

Question 18

AO3: what is a disadvantage to non-participant observations?

Answer 18

they may lose valuable insight as they are removed from the participants and the behaviour they are studying

Question 19

AO3: how is ‘observer bias’ a limitation to all observational techniques?

Answer 19

the observers interpretation of a situation may be affected by their explanations. this can be reduced by using more than one observer.

Question 20

AO3: how is ‘causal relationships’ a limitation to all observational techniques?

Answer 20

observational studies cant demonstrate causal relationships, though observational techniques nay be used in experiments and aid in cause and effect relationships