Observational Techniques

Question 1

Naturalistic observations

Answer 1

Watching and recording behaviour in the setting within which it would normally occur

Question 2

Controlled observations

Answer 2

Watching and recording behaviour within a structured environment with control over confounding/ extraneous variables

Question 3

Covert observations

Answer 3

Watching and recording p’s behaviour without their knowledge or consent

Question 4

Overt observations

Answer 4

Watching and recording p’s behaviour with their knowledge or consent

Question 5

Participant observations

Answer 5

Where the researcher becomes a member of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording

Question 6

Non-participant observations

Answer 6

Where the researcher remains outside of the group whose behaviour they are watching and recording

Question 7

Evaluation of naturalistic observations

Answer 7

• High external validity (as findings can often be generalised to everyday life)
• Capturing what people actually do
• Capturing unexpected behaviour
• Observer bias (interpretation may be affected by their own expectations)
• Cannot demonstrate casual relationships
• Lack of control (makes replication difficult)

Question 8

Evaluation of controlled observations

Answer 8

• Control over confounding/ extraneous variables (replication)
• High external validity (as findings can often be generalised to everyday life)
• Observer bias (interpretation may be affected by their own expectations)
• Cannot demonstrate casual relationships
• Lower external validity (as findings can’t be generalised to everyday life)

Question 9

Evaluation of covert observations

Answer 9

• Removes demand characteristics (increases internal validity)
• Capturing what people actually do
• Capturing unexpected behaviour
• Lack of consent
• Cannot demonstrate casual relationships
• Lack of control (makes replication difficult)

Question 10

Evaluation of overt observations

Answer 10

• Consent (more ethical)
• Capturing unexpected behaviour
• Demand characteristics (decreases internal validity)
• Cannot demonstrate casual relationships

Question 11

Evaluation of participant observation

Answer 11

• Increased insight into situation (increase external validity)
• Capturing what people actually do
• Capturing unexpected behaviour
• Researcher may loose objectivity
• Observer bias (interpretation may be affected by their own expectations)
• Cannot demonstrate casual relationships

Question 12

Evaluation of non-participant observation

Answer 12

• Researcher maintains objectivity
• Capturing unexpected behaviour
• May loose valuable insight into situation
• Cannot demonstrate casual relationships