Observations

Question 1

naturalistic observation

Answer 1

naturalistic observations that take place in the ppts’ natural environment.

Question 2

overt

Answer 2

ppts know about it

Question 3

covert

Answer 3

they are unaware

Question 4

non-participant

Answer 4

the researcher is not part of what he or she is observing

Question 5

participant

Answer 5

the researcher has a part to play as well as the observation

Question 6

strengths of ppt observations

Answer 6

• more is known about the situation, background, language, etc –> better access to data –> more detailed & more valid
• more natural behaviour, because ppts do not have someone in the situation they do not know –> increasing validity
• less interpretation is needed because the observer understands more.

Question 7

weakness of participant observations

Answer 7

• hard to record data and participate at the same time
• may not “see” because observer is involved and subjective
• if it is an overt observation, ppts may be more affected if watched by someone they know than if by someone else (ethical issues, validity issues)

Question 8

strengths of non-ppts observations

Answer 8

• can record data more accurately and consistently because they are focused on that task alone
• more likely to be objective as observers not involved personally in the situation and with the ppt (more valid data)

Question 9

weakness of non- participant observations

Answer 9

• may have to interpret data because observer is an outsider , making the data less valid
• may affect what happens because observer s a stranger, makes data less valid
• hard to get access to some situations without belonging.

Question 10

strengths of overt observations

Answer 10

• more ethical as guideliness can be adhered to

- can record data without hiding, making it more efficient and the observer is less likely to miss information

Question 11

weakness of overt observations

Answer 11

• behaviour is likely to be unatural, because ppts know about the observations (low validity)
• some may not want to take part so may drop out, making the situation unatural (though this shows that covert observations are not really ethical)

Question 12

strengths of covert observation

Answer 12

• observer is less likely to affect the situation because ppts doesn’t know why they are there (more valid data)
• situation will involve all the ppts, as they won’t refuse something they don’t know about

Question 13

weakness of covert observation

Answer 13

• hard to know where to position the observer if ppts are to be unaware of the activity
• may be unethical if not in a public place

Question 14

strengths of observations in general

Answer 14

• can gather qualitative data if a tape or video recorder is used . There is a richness in detail that can be recorded.
• can gather quantitative data using tallying and this is easier to analyse and compare
• can be used more than one observer to obtain inter-observer reliability, making it a more scientific measure

Question 15

weakness of observations in general

Answer 15

• hard not to interfere with normal behaviour if an observer is present, even if he or she is pretending to be someone else- problems with validity may arise
• there can be ethical problems if not in a public place
• hard to get access to certain situations
• observing means interpreting and selecting, because not everything can be noted