RM 1: observations, chi-squared (LT)

Question 1

Strengths - Naturalistic/Structured

Answer 1

Naturalistic
- High ecological validity: Setting is natural so authentic behaviour is more likely to be observed

Structured
- High level of control over variables: Easy to replicate, and so check for reliability

Question 2

Weakness - Naturalistic/Structured

Answer 2

Naturalistic
- Lack of control over variables: difficult to replicate

Structured
- Low ecological validity: the environment is artificial so less likely to get natural behaviour due to demand characteristics

Question 3

Strengths - Participant/Non-Participant

Answer 3

Participant
- Special insights from being part of the group/situation

Non-Participant
- Ensures greater objectivity when observer is not part of the group
- Can be used when it is inappropriate for the researcher to get directly involved

Question 4

Weakness - Participant/Non-Participant

Answer 4

Participant
- The observer may lose objectivity as they can get affected by being part of the group/situation
- Difficult to replicate

Non-Participant
- Researcher loses sense of group dynamic by staying separate from the group: means data can lack detail that would be provided by participant observations

Question 5

Strengths - Overt/Covert

Answer 5

Overt
- Participants are able to provide informed consent

Covert
- High internal validity: participants are unaware of being observed so will behave more naturally

Question 6

Weakness - Overt/Covert

Answer 6

Overt
- Low Internal Validity: participants know they are being observed, so are likely to change their behaviour

Covert
- Ethical issues: gaining ethical approval for the observation may be hard due to participants not being able to give informed consent.