Observational Techniques Flashcards
What are observations?
Ways of observing peoples behaviour without having to ask them, it is often used within an experiment to asses the DV.
Why are observations good, and why are they bad?
- Observations capture how people behave, people act differently than how they say they will in self report methods, so they give insight into sponteneous behaviour.
- However there is a risk of observer bias as the researcher interpretation if the situation may be affected by expectations.
What are the 6 types of observation?
- Naturalistic
- Controlled
- Covert
- Overt
- Paticipant observation
- Non participant observation
What is a Naturalistic observation?
Observing target behaviour where it would normally occur.
e.g. caregiver infant interactions at home.
What is one strength and one weakness of natural observations?
+ High external validity
Behaviour is in its natural context, and so is more likley to be genuine. Meaning it is more generalisable to everyday life.
- Low control
There may be uncontrolled CVs/Evs, which makes it more difficult to detect patterns.
What is a controlled observation?
Observations where there is some control/manipulation of varibalesl including the control of CV and EVs.
What is a Strength and a Weakness of controlled observations?
+ Controlled observations can be replicated. Due to the use of standardised procedures the observation is easier to repeat, and so the findings can be checked to see if they occur again.
- They have low external validity.
Behaviour may be contrived due to the setting, and so the findings cannot be applied to everyday life.
What is a covert observation?
This is a observation where the participants are not aware they are being observed.
What is a strength and a weakness of covert observations?
+ (Reduced demand characteristics)
Particpants do not know they are being watched so their behaviour will be natural. This increases the internal validity of the findings.
- Issues with ethics.
People may not want to be watched, even in public. So the participants right to privacy may be affected.
What is an overt observation?
This is an observation where the paricipants know theyre being studied.
What is a strentgh and a weakness of overt observations?
+ More ethically acceptable
Participants have given consent to be studied, and have the right to withdraw if they wish.
- However this can increase demand characteristics.
Participants know they are being watched so this may influecne behaviour, which reduces the internal validity of the findings.
What is a participant observation?
The researcher becomes part of the group they are studying.
What is a strength and weakness of participant observations?
+ This can lead to greater insight as the researcher experiences the situation as the participants do. Enhancing the external validity of the findings.
- Loss of objectivity
The researcher may identify too strongly with the participants , whcih threatens the objectivity and internal validity of findings.
What is a non-participant observation?
Researcher remains seperate from the group they are studying.
What is a strength and a weakness of the non-participant observation?
+ Objective
Researcher maintains an objective distrance so less chance of bias, increasing the internal validity of findings.
- Loss of insight
Researcher may be too far from the group they are studying, and not gather insight, reducing the external validity of the findings.
