Observational techniques Flashcards
Observation
A way of seeing or listening to what people do without having to ask them.
Observation is often used within an experiment as a way of assessing the DV.
What is a strength of observations?
Capture what people do.
People often act differently from how they say they will in self report methods.
Observations are useful as they give insight into spontaneous behaviour.
What is a limitation of observations?
Risk of observer bias.
Researchers interpretation of the situation may be affected by expectations.
Bias can be reduced using more than one observer.
Naturalistic observation
Takes place where the target behaviour would normally occur.
What is a strength of a naturalistic observation?
High external validity.
In a natural context, behaviour is likely to be more spontaneous.
More generalisable to every day life.
What is a limitation of a naturalistic observation?
Low control.
There may be uncontrolled CVs and EVs.
Makes it more difficult to detect patterns.
Controlled observation
Some control/manipulation of variables including control of CVs/EVs.
What is a limitation of a controlled observation?
May have low external validity.
Behaviour may be contrived as a result of the setting.
Findings cannot be applied to everyday experience.
Covert observation
Participants unaware they are being studied.
What is a strength of using a covert observation?
Demand characteristics reduced.
Participants do not know they are being watched so their behaviour will be more natural.
This increases the internal validity of the findings.
What is a limitation of using a covert observation?
Ethically questionable.
People may not want behaviour recorded, even in public.
Participants right to privacy may be affected.
Over observation
Participants are aware of being studied.
What is a strength of using an overt observation?
More ethically acceptable.
Participants have given their consent to be studied.
They have the right to withdraw if they wish.
What is a limitation of using an overt observation?
Demand characteristics.
Knowledge of being studied influences behaviour.
Reduces the internal validity of the findings.
Participant observation
Researcher becomes part of group they are studying.
