Types of Obseravtions

Question 1

Controlled observation

Answer 1

Environment is manipulated by researcher

This type of observation may be carried out in a lab (artificial environment)

Question 2

Controlled observation strength

Answer 2

High reliability as environment is controlled and standardised

Can be easily repeated to check for consistent results

Question 3

Controlled observation weakenss

Answer 3

Low ecological validity takes place in a controlled artificial setting
Does not reflect real life
Difficult to generalise beyond setting

Prone to demand characteristics
Aware being watched
Likely to change natural behaviour
To help or hinder research based on clues given

Question 4

Natural observation

Answer 4

Watching natural behaviour in natural environment for ppt where target behaviour would occur

No manipulation of variables

Question 5

Natural observation strength

Answer 5

Less likely to be prone to demand characteristics as people less likely to know they are being watched

Unlikely to change natural behaviour and hinder research increasing internal validity

Question 6

Natural observation weakness

Answer 6

Low reliability as they are observed in natural environment

very difficult to replicate observation in exact same condition to achieve consistent result

Question 7

Overt observation

Answer 7

Participants are aware their behaviour is being observed

So will be aware of the purpose of the research

Observer is clearly visible to ppts

Question 8

Overt observation strength

Answer 8

Ethically appropriate than covert
As ppt know they are being watched

So ppt can give consent for there data being used

Question 9

Overt observation weakness

Answer 9

Prone to demand characteristics as ppt more likely to know they are being watched

Thus change natural behaviour

May help/hinder based on clues given of by the observer/environment lowers internal validity

Question 10

Covert observation

Answer 10

Observation conducted without knowledge and awareness of participants

Can be done through observer being hidden,use of secret camera or behind a two way mirror

Question 11

Covert observation strength

Answer 11

Less prone to demand characteristics
as people are less likely to know they are being watched

Unlikely to change natural behaviour or help or hinder research

Question 12

Covert observation weakness

Answer 12

Participants unaware they are being studied raising ethical issues such a lack of informed consent and invasion of privacy

When participants are informed they may withdraw

Question 13

Participant observation

Answer 13

Researchers involved with the group

Data collected whilst being part of a group e.g joining a football team

Question 14

Partcipent observation strength

Answer 14

Gain in depth understanding of groups behaviour as they are part of the group

Will not miss important aspects

Increases internal validity

Question 15

Participant observation weakness

Answer 15

Chance of researcher bias as observer is part of group

Decreases objectivity as researchers own thoughts and behaviours may impact the observation

Lowers internal validity

Question 16

Non participant observation

Answer 16

Researcher is not involved with group

Data is collected from a distance

Eg video camera

Question 17

Non participant strength

Answer 17

Reduced chance of researcher bias as observer is not part of the group

Increases objectivity as researches own thoughts and behaviours are less likely to impact the research

Increasing internal validity

Question 18

Non particpent weakens

Answer 18

Less likely to gain in depth understanding of groups behaviour as they are not part of group

May miss important aspects

Lowers internal validity