Research methods - Observations - Types of methods

Question 1

What are the types of observations

Answer 1

Controlled and naturalistic observations.

Question 2

What are controlled observation

Answer 2

An observation where the conditions have been manipulated by the research (1) this type of observation is carried out in a laboratory type of situation (2).
e,g…

Question 3

what are naturalistic observation

Answer 3

Watching participant’s behaviour in participants’ natural environment where the target behaviour would naturally occur. theres no manipulation of variables.

Question 4

What is the difference between controlled and naturalistic observations.

Answer 4

a controlled observation is carried out in a lab type of situation whereas a naturalistic observation is carried out in the participant’s natural environment.

Question 5

What are the strengths of a controlled observation

Answer 5

• high in reliability
  and
• high control over extraneous variables

Question 6

what are the strengths of naturalistic observation

Answer 6

• high ecological validity
• less prone to demand characteristics

Question 7

what are the weakness of naturalistic observation

Answer 7

• low in reliability
• low control over extraneous variables

Question 8

what are the weaknesses of controlled observation

Answer 8

• prone to demand characteristics
• low ecological validity

Question 9

What can observations be?

Answer 9

they can be covert or overt

Question 10

what are covert observations

Answer 10

participants are aware that their behaviour is being observed (1) so they will be aware of the purpose of the research, the observer is clearly visible to participants. (2)

Question 11

what are overt observations

Answer 11

observation is carried out without the knowledge of the participants this is done through observer being hidden or a two way mirror

Question 12

what are strengths and weakness of overt observations

Answer 12

Strengths
- more ethically appropriate
weakness
- prone to demand characteristics

Question 13

what are strengths and weakness of covert observations

Answer 13

Strengths
- less prone to demand characterises
weakness
-raise ethical issues due to lack of informed consent

Question 14

what is non participant observation

Answer 14

the researcher is not involved in the group (1)
data is collected from a distance (1)

Question 15

what is a participant observation

Answer 15

The researcher is involved in the group (1)
data is collected from within the group (2)