Observational techniques Flashcards
What are obs techs?
- The way an experiment is observed by researchers
- Observers are trained to know what they are looking for
- Recorded in a systematic fashion
What are the main types of obs?
- Naturalistic or Controlled
- Covert or Overt
- Participant or Non-Participant
What is Participant obs?
- Observer is apart of the group being observed (Zimbardo)
What is a strength and a weakness of Participant obs?
Researcher gains insight
- Researcher can experience the exp first hand with the participants
Improves validity
Lose objectivity
- Researcher could identify too close to the participants and loose objectivity of the whole study
- When the line between being a researcher and participants becomes blurred
What is Non-Participant obs
- When the researcher observes from a distance (Milgram) and doesn’t interact
What is a strength and weakness of Non-participant obs?
Objectivity remain
- Less chance of researchers becoming unsure if they are researcher or participant
- Can focus on the main aims of the study and not those involved
Increases validity
Lacks insight
- Lacks insight of behaviours being studied of the participants
What is a Naturalistic observation?
- Experiments that take place in a natural setting or the setting where target behaviour would usually occur
What is a strength and a weakness of Natty obs?
High ecological validity
- Gives realistic picture of natural behaviours
- Participants are usually not aware they are apart of a experiment and demand characteristics are reduced
Low in control
- Researcher looses control over extraneous variables which may affect behaviours
Reduce the validity of findings
What is a controlled observation?
- Some variables are regulated by the researcher
- Participants are likely to know they are involved in a study as it may be conducted in a lab
What is a strength and a weakness of Controlled obs?
High in control
- Researchers control the environment and can minimise effect of any potential extraneous variables
- All participants are observed under same conditions increasing the validity of the findings
Low in ecological validity
- Artificial nature of most environments lead to demand characteristics and can’t allow for generalisations
Decreases validity
What is an Overt obs?
- Participants know their behaviour is being observed and have given consent
- Observers will try to be as unobtrusive as possible as they know that participants are prone to showing demand characteristics
What is a strength and a weakness of Overt obs?
No problems with consent
- Participants are aware they are being observed and have consent to it
Problems with participant reactivity
- Participants are aware they are involved in a study so will be prone to displaying demand characteristics
What is a Covert obs?
- An observation in which the participants are not aware they are being observed
- Researcher will remain out of sight and observe from a distance
What is a strength and a weakness of covert obs?
Issues with Consent
- When parts are not aware they are being watched and observed they may not give consent and withdraw their findings from the study
Increases natural behaviour
- Participants are not aware they are being observed so will not show demand characteristics increasing validity
