observations

Question 1

strengths and weaknesses of a structured observation

Answer 1

strengths-
internal relaibility, standardised
easy comparison and analysis, reach conclusions quciker
quantative data, external reliability
strict behavioural categories reduce risk of observer bias, and more inter rater reliability

weakness-
low internal validity, due to lack of insight, simply ticking boxes so miss important behaviours
only quantitative data
may be unexpected behaviours that can’t be noted
only focuses on what is happening, but not why

Question 2

strengths and weaknesses of unstrucutred observations

Answer 2

stengths
can capture unexpected behavours, increased internal validity. doesnt limit to predefined behaviours
qualitiative data, is more detailed and indepth

weakness
observer bias, may lack inter rater
lacks external reliaiblity and will be harder to analyse
easy to miss behaviours
lacks internal reliability

Question 3

strenghts of naturalistic observation

Answer 3

strenghts-
high ecological validty
less risk of demand characteristics

wekaness
low control
low internal reliaiblity

Question 4

strengths of participant observation

Answer 4

strengths
rich detailed insight due to being upclose
higher ecological validity, is in a natural setting
high internal validity, researcher can encourage convos or follow paths of interest

weakness
observer bias
data can be subjective
unethical
harder to make notes direclty in front of pps, have to rely on memory lowering internal validity

Question 5

strength of non participant

Answer 5

strengths
less researcher bias are remain detatched from the situation
less influence of researcher on pps behaviour
can still use behavioural categories, generating quantitative data

weakness
may not fully understand what is occuring, having to infer, easy to misinterpet,lowering internal validity
cant’ try and gain a deeper insight, lowering internal validity

Question 6

strenght of covert observation

Answer 6

strenghts
less risk of demand characterisitcs
higher ecological validity, more realsitic behaviour if they dont think theyre being watched
observing from afar may allow them to see more subtle behaviours as viewing from outside perspective, increasing internal validity

weakness-
is difficult to replicate, reudicng internal reliability
raises ethical concenrs

Question 7

strength and weaknesses of time sampling

Answer 7

strenghts-
reduces risk of order effects, so increases internal validity
captures most freuquent behaviours
can note down unexpected behaviours

weaknesses
may miss key events, lowering internal validity

Question 8

strengths and weakness of event sampling

Answer 8

strenghts-
inter rater reliability as defined behavioural categories
wont miss vital behaviour, increasing internal validity

weakness-
may be affected by order effects
may not notice unexpected behaviours, lowering internal valdiity