RM: observational techniques

Question 1

what are the 6 observational techniques

Answer 1

controlled v naturalistic
covert v overt
participant v non-participant

Question 2

naturalistic observations

Answer 2

watching/recording behaviour in a setting within which it would normally occur
- all aspects of environment free to vary

Question 3

controlled observations

Answer 3

watching/recording behaviour within a structured environment

Question 4

covert observations

Answer 4

participants behaviour watched/recorded WITHOUT their knowledge/consent

Question 5

overt observation

Answer 5

participants behaviour watched/recorded WITH their knowledge/consent

Question 6

participant observations

Answer 6

researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour he/she is watching

Question 7

non- participant observations

Answer 7

researcher remains outside of group whose behaviour he/she is recording

Question 8

AO3 for naturalistic observations

Answer 8

• higher external validity - findings generalisable to everyday life
• lack of control over extraneous variables

Question 9

AO3 for controlled observations

Answer 9

• not applicable to real life scenarios
• replication of study easy as extraneous variables can be controlled

Question 10

AO3 for covert observations

Answer 10

• no problem of ppt reactivity - behaviour observed = natural
• breaches ethical guidelines

Question 11

AO3 for Overt observations

Answer 11

• more ethically acceptable
• higher chance of participant reactivity as they know they are being observed

Question 12

AO3 for participant observations

Answer 12

• researcher experiences situation as ppts do - gives increased insight
• subjectivity - if researcher closely identifys with ppts - ‘going native’

Question 13

AO3 for non participant observations

Answer 13

• allows researcher to maintain objective psychological distance