Observations Techiques Flashcards
Where do naturalistic observation take place
Take place in setting where the target behaviour usually occurs.
Where all variables are free to vary
Strengths of using a naturalistic observation.
High ecological validity- as the behaviour being recorded is naturally occurring behaviour
as its taking place in the environment where the behaviour normally occurs.
What does high ecological validity represent
Findings that generalisable to everyday life .
Another strength of using naturalistic observations .
Participants are more likely to show valid behaviour-
As there in there normal environment.
Where do controlled observations occur.
Take place in structured environments
Where some variables are controlled/manipulated.
Advantages of controlled observations
1)Easier to replicate- as the researcher is in control of the variables
2)Extraneous variables can be controlled- which increases validty
Disadvantages of controlled observations
Low ecological validly - as it’s difficult to represent the reality of a social setting
Observer effect- decreases valdity
Disadvantages of Naturalistic observation
Can’t be replicated- as researcher isn’t in control of the variables
Observer effect- decrease validity
What is a covert observation
It’s where participants are unaware their behaviour is being recorded
For it to be ethical- The behaviour most be public/already happening.
What is a overt observation
When participants know their being observed
And have given informed consent
Strength of a covert observation
Natural behaviour- as they are being observed securely there isn’t any demand characteristics
This increases the internal validity
Drawback of a covert observation
Questionable ethics- participants have no privacy
A strength of an overt observation.
It’s ethical- as particapsnts have a
right to pricacy/
right to withdrawal/
Informed consent
A drawback of an overt observation(similar to a controlled observation)
Observer effect- decreases valdity
What happens in a participants observation
Observer becomes part of the group they are studying
