Research Methods : Observational Methods (Types Of Observation) Flashcards
What are observations?
An observational study is one that involves directly observing the behaviour of participants.
What are Controlled Observations?
Controlled observations are likely to be carried out in a psychology laboratory. The researcher decides where the observation will take place and at what time, with which participants, in what circumstances. These use a standardised procedure.
What is a Strength of controlled observations?
Their high internal validity. Because the observation occurs in a controlled environment, participants may react to this setting and behave in an unnatural way. This makes it difficult to generalise from the findings to behaviour in the real world.
What is a limitation of Controlled Observations?
Their ecological validity. Because the observation occurs in a controlled environment, participants may react to this setting and behave in an unnatural way. This makes it difficult to generalise from the findings to behaviour in the real world.
What are Naturalistic Observations?
Naturalistic observations take place in the setting or context where the target behaviour
would usually occur. All aspects of the environment are free to vary. Compared with
controlled observations it is like the difference between studying wild animals in a zoo and
studying them in their natural habitat.
What is a Strength of Naturalistic Observation?
Their ecological validity. Because observation occurs in the setting where the target behaviour naturally occurs, participants are more likely to behave naturally, meaning findings are likely to be
generalisable to the real world.
What is a Limitation of naturalistic observations?
Their low internal validity. Because the research takes place outside a controlled setting, the researcher lacks control of situational extraneous variables (e.g., distractions caused by a noisy environment)
What are Covert Observations?
In covert observations, the behaviour of participants is observed without their knowledge or consent. Although not necessarily always the case, covert observations are often also naturalistic observations.
What is a Strength of covert observations?
Their ecological validity. Because participants are observed without their knowledge, they are are more likely to
behave naturally. This means findings are likely to be generalisable to the real world.
What is a limitation of covert observations?
That they are present with ethical issues. Because the participants are observed without their knowledge, it is not possible to get
informed consent from the research. The only way round this is to conduct covert
observations in public settings, where people are already aware they are being observed by
others. However, this means ethical covert observational research is limited in where it can
be carried out
What are Overt Observations?
In overt observations, their behaviour is observed with their knowledge and consent.
Although not necessarily always the case, overt observations are often also controlled
observations.
What is a strength of overt observations?
Their ethics. Because participants in an overt observation know they are being observed, it is possible
for the researcher to obtain informed consent. This not only safeguards the participants, but
it also makes it easier for the research to be given the go-ahead by an ethics committee.
What is a limitation of overt observations?
Their ecological validity. Because the participants are aware their behaviour is being observed, they may react to this by behaving in an unnatural way. This makes it difficult to generalise from the findings to behaviour in the real world.
What are Participant observations?
In participant observations, the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour is being observed. If the observation is overt, then the participants will be aware of the researcher’s identity
and role in observing them. However, if the observation is covert, then the researcher must assume a false identity, so the participants are unaware they are being observed by a
researcher.
What is a strength of participant observations?
That the researcher can collect rich data. Since in a participant observation, the researcher is part of the context within which the
observed behaviours are occurring, they can experience the situation as the participants
experience it. This can help the researcher collect rick data that allows a greater insight into their participants’ behaviour.
