Observational Techniques

Question 1

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 1

Takes place in a setting where the observed behaviour would usually occur, so there’s no manipulation to the environment

Question 2

What is a controlled observation?

Answer 2

Takes place in an artificial setting so the environment may be manipulated by the researcher

Question 3

What is an overt observation?

Answer 3

Participants know the researchers’ identity and that they’re being studied

Question 4

What is a covert observation?

Answer 4

Participants don’t know the researchers identity or that they’re being studied

Question 5

What is a participant observation?

Answer 5

Observations are made by someone who is also participating in the activity being observed

Question 6

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 6

Observer is separate from the people being observed and simply watches or listens

Question 7

What is a limit of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 7

There’s little control of extraneous variables in the study, reducing internal validity

Question 8

What is a strength of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 8

It provides a realistic picture of behaviour as it has higher mundane realism, so it’s likely to be high in ecological validity

Question 9

What is a limit of a controlled observation?

Answer 9

The control of the observations means it lacks mundane realism so the participants may act unnaturally, resulting in low ecological validity

Question 10

What is a strength of a controlled observation?

Answer 10

There’s more control over extraneous variables and the observer can focus of participants aspects of behaviour, so there’s hight internal validity

Question 11

What is a limit of a covert observation?

Answer 11

There are ethical issues as there’s no informed consent, privacy or right to withdraw

Question 12

What is a strength of a covert observation?

Answer 12

There are no demand characteristics and participants’ behaviour are more natural which reduces the Hawthorne effect

Question 13

What is a limit of a overt observation?

Answer 13

As participants know they’re being studied, the Hawthorne effect is present and they may respond to demand characteristics

Question 14

What is a strength of a overt observation?

Answer 14

There are no ethical issues as participants know they’re being studied

Question 15

What is a limit of a participant observation?

Answer 15

As the observer is involved, there’s risk of investigator effect and that the researcher may lose their objectivity in the research

Question 16

What is a strength of a participant
observation?

Answer 16

They provide more depth and detailed insight into behaviour, as it’s more natural due to the researcher building rapport with participants, making the study more valid

Question 17

What is a limit of a non-participant observation?

Answer 17

Produces less valid data due to less chance of a rapport being built

Question 18

What is a strength of non-participant observation?

Answer 18

There’s less chance of investigator effect and greater objectivity from the researcher