Observational Techniques Flashcards
What do observations involve?
Watching participants and recording their behaviour.
Are all observational techniques experimental or non-experimental?
Non-experimental.
What are the six types of observations?
- Naturalistic
- Controlled
- Covert
- Overt
- Non-participant
- Participant
What are naturalistic observations?
This is where you watch and record behaviour in a natural setting where the researcher does not influence the situation of participants in any way.
What kind of behaviour do naturalistic observations record?
Real-life behaviour.
What is an example of a naturalistic observation?
Watching infants play at a nursery.
What are controlled observations?
This is where you watch and record behaviour in a regulated and controlled environment (a laboratory).
What do controlled observations allow researchers to test?
They can test specific situations while also reducing the effect of extraneous variables.
What is an example of a controlled observation?
Observing an infant’s behaviour as they experience a series of pre-planned situations.
What are two advantages of naturalistic observations?
- High ecological validity
- Low demand characteristics
What are two disadvantages of naturalistic observations?
- Low internal validity
- Difficult to replicate
What are two advantages of controlled observations?
- High internal validity
- Easy to replicate
What are two disadvantages of controlled observations?
- Low ecological validity
- High demand characteristics
What are overt observations?
This is when participants are made aware that their behaviour is being watched and recorded, regardless of the setting.
What does awareness of being observed tend to do to participants?
Cause them to change their behaviour.
How many observers try to be in an overt observation to limit how much participants change their behaviour?
They may try to be as unobtrusive as possible.
What are covert observations?
This is when participants are NOT aware that their behaviour is being watched and recorded.
What ethical issue do covert observations bring up?
Lack of informed consent.
What factors must be considered to see a covert observation as ethical?
The behaviour must be public and happening naturally.
What is an advantage of overt observations?
- Ethical (informed consent).
What is a disadvantage of overt observations?
- High demand characteristics.
What is an advantage of covert observations?
- Low demand characteristics.
What is a disadvantage of covert observations?
- Unethical (lack of informed consent).
What are non-participant observations?
This is where the researcher remains separate from the participants and records behaviour in a more objective manner.
Why are non-participant observations typically more common than participant observations?
It may often be impractical or impossible to join a particular group, so non-participation is the only option.
What are participant observations?
This is where the researcher is a part of the group being observed. The researcher watches and records behaviour from within the social situation, acting as part of the group and even interacting with the group.
What is one advantage of non-participant observations?
- Low investigator effects (objective stance).
What is one disadvantage of non-participant observations?
- Lack of first-hand insight.
What is one advantage of participant observations?
- First-hand insight (increased validity).
What is one disadvantage of participant observations?
- Get too close to the group (investigator effects).
What is ‘observer bias’?
This is where the observer’s expectations influence what the researcher witnesses and records.
Why is observer bias an issue?
Makes the observation less objective and reduces internal validity.
