Types of observation

Question 1

What is a structured observation?

Answer 1

• may occur in a natural or laboratory setting
  -often the observer intervenes in order to cause an event to occur
• records behaviours that are difficult to observe in naturalistic setting
  -focus of observation is determined beforehand

Question 2

What are the advantages of a structured observation?

Answer 2

-high in reliability - the observation is manageable and clear, therefore it is easier to replicate to test for consistency

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of a structured observation?

Answer 3

• lack ecological validity - observation is created by the researcher who may manipulate the iv, if done in a lab the behaviour cannot be applied to a real life setting.
  -lack valid findings - fully plan observation before hand, predetermined idea of results, results may not be 100% accurate, subjective
• unethical - situation set up by researcher, therefore may be distressing to participants.

Question 4

What is a naturalistic observation?

Answer 4

• observing subjects in their natural environment
• looks at behaviour as it occurs in natural setting with no attempts at intervention

Question 5

What are the advantages of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 5

• ethical - lets researchers see natural behaviours
• ecologically valid - set in a natural day to day environment (park, shopping), less chance of demand characteristics ( acting how you think you should)

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of a naturalistic observation?

Answer 6

• not reliable - cant control behaviours, may not be able to manipulate iv, distractions, not controlled, harder to replicate and test for consistency.
  -expensive/time consuming - wait for people to appaer and behaviour to naturally occur
• low validity/objectivity - small sample sizes = more anomalies= less validity, different observers may note down different behaviours, biased

Question 7

What is a covert observation?

Answer 7

• identity of the researcher, nature of research project, and the fact the partcipants are being observed are concealed from those being studied.

Question 8

What are the advantages of a covert observation?

Answer 8

• valid - participants unaware of observation and will have natural behaviour (lack of demand characteristics), reduces inaccuracy
• allows researchers to study things that cannot be studied in other ways - studying unusual groups such as gangs and cults, not possible in overt observations because the researcher would not have access to group.

Question 9

What are the disadvantages of a covert observation?

Answer 9

• unethical - don’t have right to withdraw, cannot consent, observation poses some ethical issues and deception
• validity reduced - practical issues such as hiding that you’re taking notes, may have to take notes after study, some findings may be missed, not as accurate

Question 10

What is an overt observation?

Answer 10

• researcher being open about their intentions in the field and ensuring all members of the social group are aware of what is happening.

Question 11

What are the advantages of an overt observation?

Answer 11

-no ethical issues - participants have given consent, aware of observation and purpose of observation, no deception, right to withdraw
- high validity - observer is in open, no hiding, more in depth accurate view of behaviour being studied

Question 12

What are the disadvantages of an overt observation?

Answer 12

• lack validity - the participants know they are being observed so behaviour may not be accurate, participants may change behaviour for observation, more likely to show demand characteristics
  -results not reliable - participants are told about observation and may prepare, results will be inaccurate.

Question 13

What is a participant observation?

Answer 13

• the observer participates in ongoing activities and records observations, the observer is a player in the observation and actually takes on the role of being

Question 14

What are the advantages of a participant observation?

Answer 14

-high validity- researcher gets an insider viewpoint and better information

Question 15

What are the disadvantages of a participant observation?

Answer 15

• low validity - events are interpreted through single observers eyes, who may be emotionally involved in observation, more likely to be bias/objective
• low validity - easy to influence other peoples behaviour, raising problem of reactivity and unnatural behaviour, conclusions will be less credible
• unethical - deception as people don’t know they are being observed

Question 16

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 16

• observer does not participate in activities being observed, observer has a distant and separate role, watches and records events

Question 17

What are the advantages of a non-participant observation?

Answer 17

• high in validity - much easier to record data because the observer is not involved in situation, more accurate information of what happened.
• high validity - researcher does not get involved with participants, more objectivity, less bias
  -high validity - only watch the observation from the side lines, behaviour is more accurate, credible conclusions

Question 18

What are the disadvantages of a non-participant observation?

Answer 18

• low validity - the researcher isn’t taking part in the experience and may not fully understand the behaviour being witnessed makes conclusions less credible.