7.1: Observational techniques

Question 1

A researcher carried out an overt observation study of social learning. For one week the helping behaviour of children in a playgroup was recorded. All the children then saw a short film in which a child was praised for tidying up toys. For the following week the helping behaviour of the same children in the playgroup was recorded.

Briefly discuss one way in which a covert observation of children might be more beneficial than an overt observation (3 marks)

Answer 1

Compared to an overt observation, if the researcher is covert then the children are completely unaware that they are being monitored and this increases the likelihood of the behaviour that is produced being spontaneous and natural

Question 2

A researcher carried out an overt observation study of social learning. For one week the helping behaviour of children in a playgroup was recorded. All the children then saw a short film in which a child was praised for tidying up toys. For the following week the helping behaviour of the same children in the playgroup was recorded.

Briefly discuss one way in which a covert observation of children might be more beneficial than an overt observation (3 marks).
Compared to an overt observation, if the researcher is covert then the children are completely unaware that they are being monitored and this increases the likelihood of the behaviour that is produced being spontaneous and natural.
What does this do?

Answer 2

This increases the validity of the results