observational techniques- research methods

Question 1

naturalistic and controlled observations

Answer 1

naturalistic- take place in the setting or context where target behaviour usually occur, aspects of environment free to vary
controlled- control certain aspects, some control over variables and control of confouding or extraneous variables

Question 2

covert and overt observations

Answer 2

covert-behaviour recorded wihtout obtaining consent, pps unaware they are the focus of th study and their behaviour observed in secret, must be public and happening anyway for it to be ethical
overt-pps know their behaviour is being observed and have given their informed consent before

Question 3

participant and non participant observations

Answer 3

pp- observer becomes part of group
non pp-researcher remains separate from those they are studying and records behaviour in more objective manner

Question 4

all observations eval

Answer 4

+capturing what people actually do which may be unexpected behvaiour, do not act the same as theysay they would
+ special insight into behaviour
- observer bias- interpretation of situation may be affected by their expectations
- cannot demonstrate causal relationships

Question 5

naturalistic eval

Answer 5

+ high external validity findings can be generalised, behaviour studied within the environment where it would normally occur
- replication difficult lack of control, uncontrolled confounding or extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge pattern of behaviour

Question 6

controlled eval

Answer 6

• produce findings cant be as readily applid to veeryday life
  + confounding or extraneous variables less of a factor so replication becomes easier

Question 7

covert eval

Answer 7

+ removes demand characteristics and ensures any behaviour will be natural, increases internal validity
-ethics questionned, may not wish to have their behaviours noted

Question 8

overt eval

Answer 8

+ethically acceptable
- knowledge pps have that they are being observed may act as a significatn influence on their behvaiour

Question 9

pp eval

Answer 9

+researcher can experience situation as pps do giving them increased insight into lives of the people being studied, increase external validity of the findings
- researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they are studying and lose objectivity, refer to this as adopting local lifestyle when the line between researcher and being pps becomes blurred

Question 10

non pp eval

Answer 10

+ allow researcher maintain objective psychological distance from pps so less o danger adopting local lifestyle
- lose valuable insight to be gained in pp observation as they are far too removed from he people and behaviour theyre studying