observational design Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the different types of observational design?
covert observation
overt observation
naturalistic observation
controlled observation
non participant observation
participant observation
What is an observation?
a type of data collection wherein participants behaviour is observed
What is a covert observation?
a type of observation where the observer is hidden from the participant, so that they do not know that they are being observed.
What is an overt observation?
A type of observation wherein the participant is aware of the observers presence .
What is a naturalistic observation?
a type of observation wherein participants are observed in their natural environment
What is a non participant observation?
a type of observation where the observer does not join the group under observation
What is a participant observation?
A type of observation where the observer joins the group under investigation
What is an evaluation of covert observations?
strength- the participants do not know that they are being watched and so demand characteristics are not a factor and so ensures that any behaviour observed will be natural. this increases the internal validity of of the data gathered.
limitation- The fact that the participants don’t know that they are being watched and so it raises ethical concerns as it bypasses informed consent
What is an evaluation of overt observations?
strength-They have more ethical value as they are aware of the experiment and so can agree to their intimacies being noted down.
limitation-demand characteristics are a feature in overt observations as since the participants are aware of the experiment they may change their behaviours in order to fit the experiments objective.
What is an evaluation of naturalistic observations?
strength-They have high external validity as findings can be easily generalised to day to day life. this is because the behaviour happens where it usually does
Limitation-They lack replicability as the research situation is not controlled . could be many uncontrolled/extraneous variables that make it more difficult to judge any pattern of behaviour
What is an evaluation of non-participant observations?
strength-allow the observer to keep an objective psychological distance from their participants so there is less danger of them adopting a local lifestyle
limitation-may lose valuable insight to be gained by a participant observation as they are too far removed from the people from the people and behaviour they are studying
What is an evaluation of participant observations?
strength-The researcher can experience the research situation like the participants do thus giving them an increased level of understanding about the behaviour they wish to study which could increase the studies external validity.
limitation- the researcher may come to identify too strongly with those they are studying and lose objectivity-referred to as a local lifestyle
What is an evaluation of all observations?
strengths- They allow for the researcher gain knowledge on how people regularly act
limitations-
What is an evaluation of controlled observations?
strengths-
limitations-
