Observations

Question 1

Controlled observations

Answer 1

likely to be carried out in a psychology laboratory

researcher decides where the observation will take place, at what time, with which participants, in what circumstances and uses a standardised procedure

Participants are randomly allocated to each independent variable group

researcher systematically classifies the behavior they observe into distinct categories

usually overt

usually non-participant as the researcher avoids any direct contact with the group

Question 2

Strengths of controlled observations

Answer 2

easily replicated (easy to test for reliability)

data obtained from structured observations is easier and quicker to analyse as it is quantitative

fairly quick to conduct which means a large sample can be obtained resulting in the findings being representative and having the ability to be generalised to a large population.

Question 3

Limitations of controlled observations

Answer 3

can lack validity due to demand characteristics

When participants know they are being watched they may act differently

Question 4

Naturalistic observation

Answer 4

involves observing involves studying the spontaneous behavior of participants in natural surroundings

researcher records all relevant behavior without system

Question 5

Strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 5

able to observe the flow of behavior in its own setting studies have greater ecological validity

often used to generate new ideas because it gives the researcher the opportunity to study the total situation it often suggests avenues of inquiry not thought of before

Question 6

Limitations of naturalistic observation

Answer 6

observations are often conducted on a small scale and may lack a representative sample

less reliable as other variables cannot be controlled

researcher needs to be trained to be able to recognise aspects of a situation that are psychologically significant and worth further attention

cause and effect relationships cannot be established

Question 7

Participant observation

Answer 7

variant of natural observations but here the researcher joins in and becomes part of the group they are studying to get a deeper insight into their lives

can be either cover or overt

Question 8

Limitations of participant observation

Answer 8

difficult to get time / privacy for recording, with covert observations researchers can’t take notes openly as this would blow their cover, have to wait until they are alone and rely on their memory

if the researcher becomes too involved they may lose objectivity and become bias, reducing the validity