observational techniques

Question 1

define naturalistic observation

Answer 1

take place in setting or context where target behaviour would usually occur

Question 2

define controlled observation

Answer 2

some control over variables, including manipulating variables to observe effects & control of confounding/extraneous
eg. ainsworth strange situation

Question 3

define covert observations

Answer 3

= participants are unaware they are focus of study & behaviour observed in secret

• must happen in public/happening anyway & be ethical as consent is not gained prior
• eg. across room/balcony

Question 4

define overt observations

Answer 4

= participants know behaviour is being observed & give informed consent beforehand

Question 5

define participant observations

Answer 5

observer becomes part of group they are studying

Question 6

describe non-participant observations

Answer 6

researcher remains separate from those they are studying & records behaviour more objectively

Question 7

evaluate all observations

Answer 7

+)
P: benefit of capturing true behaviour, which may be unexpected
E: people often don’t act the same as they say they would
T: observational methods are useful as give special insight into behaviour

-)
P: observer bias
E: observers interpretation of situation may be impacted by expectations
T: can be reduced by using more than 1 observer

-)
P: observational studies cannot demonstrate causal relationships

Question 8

evaluate naturalistic & controlled observations

Answer 8

naturalistic observations:
+)
P: naturalistic observations have higher external validity
E: findings can often be generalised to everyday life as behaviour is studying in environment where it would naturally occur
-)
P: lack of control over research situation makes replication difficult
-)
P: may also be uncontrolled/confounding variables which make it more difficult to judge a pattern in behaviour

controlled observations:
-)
P: produce findings which cannot be readily applied to everyday life
+)
P: confounding/extraneous variables less of a factor
E: replication of observation is easier

Question 9

evaluate overt & covert observations

Answer 9

covert:
+)
P: participants don’t know they’re being watched so demand characteristics less of a problem
E: ensures any behaviour observed is natural
T: increases internal validity of data gathered
-)
P: ethics questioned
E: people (even in public) may not wish to have their behaviours noted (right to privacy) eg. amount of money spent on shopping trip

overt:
+)
P: more ethically acceptable
-)
P: participants know they’re being observed
E: demand characteristics

Question 10

evaluate participant and non-participant observations

Answer 10

participant:
+)
P: researcher can experience situation as participants do
E: gives increased insight into lives of those being studied
T: increases external validity of findings
-)
P: researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they’re studying & lose objectivity

non-participant:
+)
P: allow researcher to maintain objective psychological distance from participants
E: less danger of adopting local lifestyle
-)
P: may lose valuable insight gained in participant observation
E: far too removed from people & behaviour they’re studying