Observational techniques

Question 1

Observational techniques

List

Answer 1

Naturalistic observation 
Controlled observation 
Covert observation 
Overt observation 
Participant observations 
Non-participant observations

Question 2

Naturalistic observation

Answer 2

-watching and recording behaviour in a setting in which it would normally (NATURALLY) occur

Question 3

Naturalistic observation

Evaluation

Answer 3

Strengths 
 -high mundane realism
└as represents real-life experiences
-good generalizability 
└=high external validity

Limitations
-low control 
└difficult to replicate
-doesn’t control extraneous variables 
└=more difficult to judge pattern of behaviour

Question 4

Controlled observation

Answer 4

-watching and recording behaviour in a structured environment
└where some variables are managed

Question 5

Controlled observation

Evaluation

Answer 5

Strengths 
-high control 
└easy to replicate
-controls extraneous variables 
└=easier to judge pattern of behaviour 

Limitations
-low mundane realism
└as doesn’t represent real-life experiences
-low generalizability 
└=low external validity

Question 6

Covert observation

Answer 6

-participants behaviour is watched and recorded WITHOUT their knowledge and consent

Question 7

Covert observation

Evaluation

Answer 7

Strengths
-participants don’t know they are being watched
└=natural behaviour
└increases validity

Limitations
-ethical issues
└no informed consent

Question 8

Overt observation

Answer 8

-participants behaviour is watched and recorded WITH their knowledge and consent

Question 9

Overt observation

Evaluation

Answer 9

Strengths
-less ethical issues
└informed consent

Limitations
-participants know they are being watched
└=not natural behaviour
└decreases validity

Question 10

Participant observations

Answer 10

-the researcher becomes a member if the group whose behaviour is they are watching and recording

Question 11

Participant observations

Evaluation

Answer 11

Strengths
-researcher experiences same situation as participants= extra insight
└increases validity

Limitations
-might identify with participants and not be objective (‘going native’)

Question 12

Non-participant observations

Answer 12

-the researcher remains outside the group whose behaviour is they are watching and recording

Question 13

Non-participant observations

Evaluation

Answer 13

Strengths
-can’t identify with participants and not be objective (‘going native’)

Limitations
-researcher doesn’t experience same situation as participants= less insight
└decreases validity