Observational techniques

Question 1

Observational techniques

Answer 1

. Way of seeing/listening to what ppl do w/out asking
. Experiment assessing DV
+ Capture what ppl do -> Ppl often act different from how they say they will in self-report methods -> Useful give insight into spontaneous behaviour
- Observer bias -> Researcher interpretation may be affected by expectations -> reduced if >1 observer

Question 2

Naturalistic

Answer 2

. Takes place where target behaviour would normally occur
. Often structured
+ High external validity -> Behaviour likely to be more spontaneous -> More generalisable to everyday life
- Low control -> Uncontrolled EVs/CVs -> more difficult to detect patterns

Question 3

Controlled

Answer 3

. Control/manipulation of variables including CVs/EVs
+ Replicated -> Easily repeated due to standardised procedures -> Findings checked to see if occur again
- Low external validity -> Behaviour may be contrived as result of setting -> Findings can’t be applied to everyday experience

Question 4

Covert

Answer 4

. Parts unaware studied
+ DC reduced -> Behaviour more natural -> increases internal validity
- Ethically questionable -> May not want behaviour recorded -> Parts right to privacy may be affected

Question 5

Overt

Answer 5

. Parts aware of studied
+ More ethically acceptable -> Consent given -> Right to w/draw
- DC -> Influences behaviour -> Reduced internal validity

Question 6

Par

Answer 6

. Researcher part of group studied
+ Greater insight -> Researcher experiences things as parts -> Enhances external validity
- Loss of objectivity -> Researcher may identify too strongly w/ those in study (‘going native’) -> threatens objectivity and internal validity

Question 7

Non part

Answer 7

. Researcher remains separate from group studying
+ More objective -> Researcher maintains objective distance so less chance of bias -> Increase internal validity
- Loss of insight -> Researcher may be too far removed -> Reduce external validity

Question 8

Unstructured

Answer 8

Everything recorded -> Difficult if lots going on

Question 9

Structured

Answer 9

Includes behavioural categories & sampling methods