observations Flashcards
what is observation
looking at participant behaviour and recording it, often in a specific setting
what is covert observation
where the group being studied do not know they’re being observed or where research goes undercover
weakness covert - consent
causes issues and concerns about obtaining informed consent and deception
strength covert - effects
investigator effects are unlikely so participants behaviour will be genuine
no hawthorne effect, demand characteristics and participant variables
what is overt observation
when the researcher tells the group they are conducting research (they know they’re being observed)
strength - overt - consent
can gain consent, no deception
weakness - overt - effects
increased chance of hawthorne effect as the participants will alter their behaviour under the influence of being watched
what is controlled observation
behaviour observed under controlled lab conditions such as banduras bobo doll study
strength - controlled - replication
can easily be replicated by other researchers by using same observation schedule, it is easy to test for reliability
strength - data and time - controlled
data is easier and quicker to analyse because its quantitative so its less time consuoming than naturalistic methods
quick to conduct so many observations can take place - can obtain large sample representative and generalisation
weakness - controlled - effects
lack validity due to hawthorne effect as participants aware of being observed
what is a natural observation
spontaneous behaviour recorded in a natural setting
strength natural - ec val
greater ecological validity due to being able to observe the flow of behaviour in its own setting
strength natural - new ideas
often used to generate new ideas because researcher given opportunity to study total situation it gives new avenues of inquiry - flexibility
weakness natural - micro
conducted on a micro scale so may lack a representative sample
weakness natural - reliability
less reliable as other variables can’t be controlled so its difficult for another researcher to repeat the study in the same way
what is participant observation
where the observer has direct contact with the group of people they’re observing
participant - weakness - recording
difficult to get time and privacy for recording. eg with covert researchers can’t take notes openly as this would blow their cover. so they might have to wait until they’re alone and rely on memory, problem as they may forget details (inaccurate recall) lowering validity
participant - weakness - objectivity
if researcher becomes too involved they may lose objectivity and becomed biased, they may selectively report information instead of everything they observe
participant - strength - data
they can obtain in-depth data as they are near participants so they’re unlikely to overlook or miss behaviours - increased validity
what is non-participant observation
the researcher does not have direct contact with the people being observed
non participant strength - effects
investigator effects and evaluation apprehension are less likely as the researcher is not visible
non participant weakness - proximity
due to a lack of proximity the researcher may overlook or miss behaviours of interest
