Observational Techniques Flashcards
What is controlled observation?
Structuring the behaviour of the participant as well as the observer
What is naturalistic observation?
The behaviour being observed is not interfered with but the observers may be quite structured in how observations are recorded
What is participant observation?
Observations made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed. This means that their objectivity may be affected
What is Non-participant observation?
Researchers do not become actively involved in the behaviour being studied. The observer is separate from the people being observed and simply watches/listens
What is overt observation?
When the participants are aware they are being observed
What is covert observation?
Participants are not aware that they are being observed
What are the strengths of observational studies?
High validity as it is what they do rather than what they say
What are the limitations of observational studies?
Observer bias - subjective as people may interpret something differently
Limited to their ability to study cause or casual relationships
What are the strengths of naturalistic and controlled observation?
High external validity
Findings can be generalised
What are the limitations of naturalistic and controlled observation?
Replication is difficult due to lack of control
Many uncontrolled confounding/extraneous variables
What are the strengths of overt and covert observation?
Fewer demand characteristics (covert)
Increased internal validity
What are the limitations for overt and covert observation?
Ethical issues — consent , legality
What are the strengths of participant and non-participant observation?
In participant observation, the researcher can gain increased insights which can increase external validity
Non participant observations maintain objectivity
What are the limitations of participant and non-participant observation?
Researcher may lose objectivity in a participant observation
