Research Methods -> Observational Techniques

Question 1

Naturalistic

Answer 1

this is about observing people in their natural environment without them knowing that they are being observed

Question 2

Strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 2

High levels of ecological validity & Participants will generally behave naturally as they are probably not aware that they are being observed

Question 3

Weakness of naturalistic observation

Answer 3

No control over extraneous variables & There may be ethical issues such as ‘consent’ especially if the pps are not aware that they are being observed

Question 4

Controlled

Answer 4

this is about observing people in a controlled environment

Question 5

Strengths of controlled observation

Answer 5

High level of control over extraneous variables

Question 6

Weakness of controlled observation

Answer 6

More likely to show demand characteristics as they know that they are being observed.

Question 7

Participant

Answer 7

in this observation, the observer actually joins in and observes him/her self as well as others

Question 8

Strength of participant

Answer 8

Rich, more detailed data can be obtained
The observer will have a better understanding of the group dynamics

Question 9

Weakness of participant

Answer 9

The observer may lose his objectivity and be biased and subjective in his/her views
The observer may have to rely on their memory when they recall facts about the observation

Question 10

Non-participant

Answer 10

when the observer does not take part but merely observes others

Question 11

Strength of non-participant

Answer 11

More ecological validity especially if observes are not aware of being observed
The observer is likely to be less biased

Question 12

Weakness of non-participant

Answer 12

The actual meaning of the behaviour may not be understood by the observer

Question 13

Disclosed/overt

Answer 13

this is when the pps know that they are being observe

Question 14

Strength of overt

Answer 14

Ethical – since consent has been taken

Question 15

Weakness of overt

Answer 15

Participants likely to show demand characteristics as they know that they are being observed

Question 16

Undisclosed/covert

Answer 16

this is when the participants do not know they are being observed

Question 17

Strength of covert

Answer 17

Less likely to show demand characteristics as the pps don’t know that being observed

Question 18

Weakness of covert

Answer 18

Ethical issues – such as lack of consent

Question 19

Inter-observer reliability

Answer 19

where the scores of all the observers correlate highly with each other. This is one way that you can overcome observer bias. The way that inter-observer reliability is measured is when a structured observation is carried out and behavioural categories are predefined. Two observers then, will record the observation separately and then correlate their data. If the correlation coefficient is more than +0.8 - then there is high inter observer reliability between the researchers and one could argue that the observation is reliable.

Question 20

Invasion of privacy

Answer 20

this cannot be avoided but observers are not allowed to observe people in a non-public place unless they get consent of the participants.

Question 21

Consent

Answer 21

this is especially important when observing children – it is normally the consent of the parents that is necessary.