observational techniques AO3

Question 1

evaluate all observations in general
positives

Answer 1

• they have the benefit of capturing what people actually do, which may be unexpected behaviour.
• people often do not act the same as they say they would so observational methods are useful because they give special insight into behaviour.

Question 2

evaluate observations in general (negative)

Answer 2

• one limitation of observation is observer bias - the observers interpretation of a situation may be affected by their expectations. this may be reduced by using more than one observer
• another limitations is observational studies cannot demonstrate casual relationships - though observational techniques may be used in experiments and aid in detecting cause- and- effect relationships

Question 3

evaluate naturalistic observations (positive)

Answer 3

• have high external validity as findings can often be generalised to everyday life. This is because the behaviour is studied within the environment where it would normally occur

Question 4

evaluate naturalistic observations (negative)

Answer 4

• replication tends to be difficult
• there may be many uncontrolled confounding/ extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge any pattern of behaviour.

Question 5

evaluate controlled observations (negative)

Answer 5

• may produce findings that cannot be as readily applied to everyday life

Question 6

evaluate controlled observations (positive)

Answer 6

• confounding/extraneous variables may be less of a factor so replication of the observation becomes easier.

Question 7

evaluate covert observations (positive)

Answer 7

• removes the problem of demand characteristics because of the fact that participants do not know they are being watched and this therefore ensures any behaviour observed will be natural.
• increased external validity of the data gathered.

Question 8

evaluate covert observations (negative)

Answer 8

• the problem of ethics as the public may not wish their behaviours to be noted down

Question 9

evaluate overt observations (positive)

Answer 9

• they are more ethically acceptable

Question 10

evaluate overt observations (negative)

Answer 10

• the knowledge that they are being observed may have a significant influence on their behaviour

Question 11

evaluate participant observations (positive)

Answer 11

• increased insight into the lives of the people being studied because they are actually involved in the investigation. This may increase the external validity of the findings.

Question 12

evaluate participant observations (negative)

Answer 12

• there is a danger that the researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they are studying and lose objectivity. Some researchers refer to this as adopting a local lifestyle when the line between being a researcher and being a participant becomes blurred.

Question 13

evaluate non-participant observations (positive)

Answer 13

• allows the researcher to maintain an objective psychological distance from their participant so there is less danger of them adopting a local lifestyle

Question 14

evaluate non-participant observations (negative)

Answer 14

• they may lose the valuable insight to be gained in a participant observation as they are too far removed from the people and behaviour they are studying